Items
No. |
Item |
*HC 67/21 |
Apologies for absence
Minutes:
*HC 67/21
There were no apologies for absence
forwarded to this Meeting.
|
*HC 68/21 |
Declarations of Interest
Members are invited to declare
any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the
nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to
be considered at this meeting.
If Councillors have any questions
relating to predetermination, bias or interests in items on this
Agenda, then please contact the Monitoring Officer in advance of
the meeting.
Minutes:
*HC 68/21
Members were invited to declare any interests in the
items of business to be discussed and there were none
made.
|
*HC 69/21 |
Confirmation of Minutes PDF 426 KB
Minutes of meeting held 1
February 2022
Minutes:
*HC 69/21
The Minutes of the Hub Committee meeting held on 1
February 2022 were confirmed as a correct record.
|
*HC 70/21 |
Public questions - a period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with issues raised by the public
Minutes:
*HC 70/21
It was noted that no Public Questions had
been received in accordance with the Hub Committee Procedure
Rules.
|
*HC 71/21 |
Hub Committee Forward Plan PDF 764 KB
Minutes:
*HC 71/21
Members were presented with the
Hub Committee Forward Plan that set out items on the agenda for Hub
Committee meetings for the next four months.
In discussion, it was noted that
the published Plan incorrectly stated that the ‘Regeneration and Investment Strategy’ (Minute HC 74/21
below refers) was within the Economy portfolio area of
responsibility when in fact it fell within the Resources and
Performance portfolio area. In
addition, the published Plan had omitted to state that Cllr Mott
was the lead Member with responsibility for Built
Environment.
|
*HC 72/21 |
Response to the Housing Crisis PDF 406 KB
Minutes:
*HC 72/21
Consideration was given to a report that outlined the
start of the response to the issues that were set out in the recent
Council decision to declare a Housing Crisis at its meeting held on
15 February 2022.
In discussion, reference was made to:-
(a)
the need for ongoing monitoring and
progress reporting. Having recently
declared a Housing Crisis, the Committee recognised the need for
regular monitoring and progress updates to be presented to the
membership;
(b)
the need to respond quickly to the
Crisis. In citing the time being taken
to progress the Springhill project, a Member emphasised the
importance of responding and taking action quickly in order to
counter the Housing Crisis;
(c)
the ‘Step-On’ pilot scheme
recently adopted by South Hams District Council (SHDC). In highlighting the recent decision taken by SHDC,
Members hoped that a similar proposal could be brought forward to a
future Hub Committee Meeting;
(d)
consultation and engagement. A Member expressed his frustrations at the lack of
reference in the published agenda report to consultation and
engagement.
It was then reSOLVEd that:
1.
the proposed measures to address the
Housing Crisis (as set out in the published agenda report) be
approved; and
2.
a letter be sent outlining the Council’s
lobbying objectives to the Rt Hon
Michael Gove MP (Secretary of State for Levelling Up).
|
*HC 73/21 |
Planning Improvement Plan Update: Local Validation List and Planning Charter PDF 336 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
HC 73/21
A report was considered that sought to update Members
on the progress of two specific actions contained in the adopted
Planning Improvement Plan. These
actions being: to recommend adoption of both the revised Local
Validation List and the Planning Charter.
In discussion, the following points were
raised:
(a)
In support of the proposals, the
anticipated savings in officer time and increased emphasis on
sustainability were particularly welcomed;
(b)
One the team was at full capacity, a
commitment was given to Members that, in those instances when
planning applications were defined as being ‘out of
time’, then regular progress updates would be given to the
planning agent or applicant.
It was then RESOLVED that:
1.
Council be RECOMMENDED to approve
the Local Validation List (as set out at Appendix 1 of the
published agenda report);
2.
the Planning Charter (as set out at
Appendix 2 of the published agenda report) be approved;
and
3.
authority be delegated to make any minor
amendments to the Planning Charter to the Director of Strategy
& Governance, in consultation with the lead Hub Committee
Member for the Built Environment.
|
*HC 74/21 |
Regeneration and Investment Strategy PDF 266 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
HC 74/21
Members considered a report that set out the first
Integrated Performance Management report since the Council had
adopted its Corporate Strategy (‘A Plan for West
Devon’) that covered the Quarter 3 period (from 1 October
2021 to 31 December 2021).
During discussion, the following points were raised:
(a)
With regard to Section 1.2 of the published agenda
report, a Member felt that this was slightly
misleading. As a result, the Committee
agreed that it should read: ‘Borrowing
for investment outside of area is no
longer an acceptable approach for Council
investment’;
(b)
Whilst supporting the proposed updates to the
Regeneration and Investment Strategy, the need to still maintain a
close grip on both risk and yield was stressed.
It was then RESOLVED that
Council be RECOMMENDED to:
1.
approve the update to the Regeneration
and Investment Strategy (as contained in Appendix A of the
presented agenda report); and
2.
change the title of the ‘Invest to
Earn Committee’ to the ‘Regeneration and Investment
Committee’.
|
*HC 75/21 |
Month 10 Revenue Budget Monitoring 2022/23 PDF 387 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
*HC 75/21
Consideration was given to a report that enabled
Members to monitor income and expenditure variations against the
approved Budget for 2021/22. In
addition, the report also provided a forecast for the year-end
position.
In discussion, reference was made to:-
(a)
rising fuel costs. Given the current global crisis having a
significant impact on fuel costs, a Member questioned whether this
would have a consequent impact on the visitor economy this year and
car parking income. In acknowledging
the point, whilst the income target remain unchanged, the lead
Member for Resources gave an assurance that it would be kept under
regular review through the quarterly budget monitoring
reports;
(b)
local food production. In respect of the Council commitment to local food
production, it was noted that supporting the local agricultural
industry and reducing the amount of food miles were outlined in the
adopted ‘A Plan for West Devon’.
It was then RESOLVED that the
forecast income and expenditure variations for the 2021/22
Financial Year and the overall projected deficit of £43,000
(0.6% of the total Budget of £7.302 million), which is very
close to a break-even position, be noted.
|
*HC 76/21 |
Capital Budget Monitoring 2021/2022 PDF 431 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
*HC
76/21
The Committee considered a report that advised
Members of the financial position of the Council as at 31 January
2022.
In discussion, the following points were
raised:-
(a)
Members stressed the
importance of all local Ward Members being proactive within their
local communities and town and parish councils to ensure that
Section 106 monies were spent before the prescribed deadline
expired.
(b)
With regard to the ongoing issues
associated with the moveable floor at Parklands Leisure Centre,
Members emphasised the need for a long-term engineering solution to
be found.
It
was then RESOLVED that the contents of the report
be endorsed.
|
*HC 77/21 |
Exempt Accommodation Update
Minutes:
*HC 77/21
Members
gave consideration to a report that sought to endorse the
Council’s current approach to managing exempt accommodation,
which prioritised protecting both vulnerable residents and the
public purse.
In
discussion, tributes were paid to both the Leader and lead officers
for their hard work and tenacity in reaching this point.
It
was then RESOLVED that:
1.
the Council’s approach to managing exempt
accommodation, which prioritises protecting both vulnerable
residents and the public purse be endorsed; and
2.
the Council continue to engage and lobby at a local,
regional and national level to ensure that the Regulations be
amended to prevent exploitation of the individual tenants and the
Housing Benefit System.
(NOTE: THESE DECISIONS WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM
THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2022, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MINUTES HC 73/21
PART 1 AND HC 74/21 WHICH ARE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
MEETING TO BE HELD ON 5 APRIL 2022, UNLESS CALLED IN, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULE 18)
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