Agenda and minutes

*O&S 12/22

Apologies for absence for this meeting were received from Cllrs M Ewings; J Spettigue and A Blackman.

Minutes from meeting held on 21 June 2022

*O&S 13/22        

The minutes of the Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21 June 2022 were confirmed by the Meeting as a true and correct record.

Cllr Pearce raised that he had not receive information from the previous meeting relating to Quiet Lanes, Lamerton Neighbourhood Plan and 24 Conservation Areas.  The officer reported that this would be addressed and information circulated to members in due course.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests and Non-Registerable Interests including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

*O&S 14/22        

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of this meeting but there were none made.

A period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with issues raised by the public.   

*O&S 15/22        

The Chairman confirmed that no formal requests had been received in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

*O&S 16/22        

The Chairman introduced Mr Tony Greenham of South West Mutual who reported on the delayed progress in setting up a regional mutual bank and the different options explored in their attempts to set up a mutual bank. 

Following questions from Members, Mr Greenham reported they were exploring different options on how people wish to bank which included banking via post offices/newsagents combined with a face to face pop up branches.  They have support from a parliamentary group and have been championing their model, however there were competing claims on funds to promote this type of work.  That it was planned for the majority of lending would be on a secure basis because farming businesses do not have very good security and therefore provides more flexibility.  They were dependent on raising more funds, however if there were no further funds the business would cease.

Officers added that a report to member’s back 2018 agreed to invest £50k into South West Mutual.  It was noted this was more of a grant and not an investment.  Mr Greenham further added if they succeed would be able to give a financial return to the council.

Member’s noted the update on South West Mutual.

*O&S 17/22     COUNCIL DELIVERY AGAINST CORPORATE THEME:  COMMUNITY

The Lead Hub Member for Communities introduced a report that reviewed latest progress against the Community Corporate Theme of the adopted “Plan for West Devon” as follows:

·           Action SC1.1 – on track.

·           Action SC1.2 – on track.

·           Action SC1.3 – The action to work with Town and Parish Councils in order to understand and tackle local issues was noted as ‘amber – slightly off track’.  The last Links meeting was relatively low in terms of attendance, therefore officers were reviewing how best to involve TAPs

·           Action SC1.4 – on track.

·           Action SC1.5 – on track.

·           Action SC1.6 – on track.

Members debated the reinstatement of the Links Meetings and it was reported that two were planned in September. There was also a need to look at how to engage and promote this to the parishes.  Members felt it was incumbent on them to help promote and officers to email all members by the end of the week on the meetings taking place in September.  Venues for these meetings was also discussed and it was reported that Kilworthy Park was a venue available for use by parishes.

With regard to the promotion of the Seamoor Lotto, officers reported that it will be promoted in the local newspaper and on social media with a challenge to sell 1,000 tickets.

Members asked whether new events would be supported and it was reported that this was badged in the original strategy and looking at the appropriate support to fund events.  Further discussion with community advisory group will take place in September.

Members asked whether there would be a review of partners for future funding and it was reported that they will continue with existing partners.  This will be discussed at the September Hub Meeting.

It was then RESOLVED that the progress in delivering against the Plan for West Devon “Community” Thematic Delivery Plan be noted.  

*O&S 19/22      

There were no updates. 

*O&S 20/22      

As part of the Member Induction Programme Review on the agenda for November, Members were asked to put themselves forward to form a Task and Finish Group.  Cllrs Southcott, Turnbull and Pearce were nominated.

Members highlighted the need for Active Travel to be added to the November meeting, however the officer reported that this might be too early to report on.

Council Delivery against Corporate Theme: Efficient Services should read Resources Services and for the Contact Centre Review to take place in November.

KPI Year End performance Report to the October meeting.

Members requested a representative from North Devon Biospheres to be invited to attend Committee in January, invitation to be extended to SW Water and/or River Authorities.  This item to include water shortages, water pollution prevention and climate change. 

*O&S 21/22      

There were no learning and development opportunities identified from this meeting.