Executive

Present:-

Councillors Greenslade (Chairman), Mrs Channon, Clatworthy, Hart, S Hughes, Knight, Morrish, Smith, Spear and Mrs Spence

*685 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2004 be signed as a correct record.

Key Decisions

*686 Education, Arts & Libraries Capital Expenditure 2004/05 and thereafter

The Executive considered the report of the Director of Education, Arts & Libraries (EO/04/16) on the proposed Education, Arts and Libraries Capital Programme for 2004/05.

The planning level for the Education, Arts and Libraries capital programme had originally been set at 38.919m but the capital programme had subsequently increased to 39.107m of which 37.582m related to school projects and 1.525m to non-school projects. It was anticipated that the programme would be further enhanced by allocations from the Targeted Capital Fund and New Opportunities Fund for Physical Education and Sport which would generate an additional 23m for Devon schools, of which 13.2m related to expenditure on voluntary aided schools arising from a joint County Council/Diocesan bid. Final confirmation of those additional allocations was awaited.

Members noted that the nature of future capital programmes would undoubtedly be affected by Government's 'Building Schools for the Future' programme which would target development in those areas with the greatest deprivation and by the change in the method of calculating Basic Need. In the latter case Members were concerned at the potentially detrimental effect of the revised method of calculating basic need on an Authority wide basis and were of the view that there was a continuing need for a more local estimation of places needed and that this issue should be drawn to the attention of the County Councils' Network.

RESOLVED

(a) that the capital programme proposals detailed in Appendix 2 of report EO/04/16 be approved;

(b) that the Education, Arts and Libraries Capital Programme for 2004/05 be enhanced as detailed in Appendix 3 of report EO/04/16;

(c) that the projects identified at Appendix 4 to report EO/04/16 be approved as the high priority new starts subject to confirmation of resources in 2005/06 and thereafter;

(d) that the former bus turning circle at Kingsbridge Community College be declared permanently surplus to requirements with the proceeds being applied on an 'In and Out' basis to support improvements to the College's external sports facilities;

(e) that an area of land formerly used for storage by Dawlish Community College be declared permanently surplus to requirements;

(f) that the projects highlighted at Appendix 5 of report EO/04/16 be approved for the Devon Capital Challenge programme for 2004/05;

(g) that discussions continue with community groups regarding library developments and a further report be made to the Executive on any specific proposals;

(h) that a report be prepared for a future meeting on the Council's policy for using recyclable and renewable materials in capital projects and building works.

*687 The Devon e-Partnership

The Executive considered the report of the Director of Resources (DR/04/29) on the work of the Devon e-partnership comprising the County Council, the eight District Councils in the administrative County of Devon, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon and Cornwall Police Authority and the Devon Fire and Rescue Service.

The Devon e-Partnership, which had been established in April 2001, had launched a number of projects within its main objectives, namely:

to develop and implement a shared vision for electronic government, building on common understanding and existing working relationships;

to identify and jointly deliver key projects for the delivery of electronic services of benefit to the community of Devon; and

to make best use of joint resources and shared experience to deliver electronic services.

RESOLVED

(a) that the progress of the Devon e-partnership be noted;

(b) that the Executive place on record its appreciation of the work being done in this field by the Director of Resources and the e-Government Team.

*688 South Devon Integrated Care Network (Minute *537/30 September 2003)

The Executive considered the report of the Director of Social Services (SS/04/3) on progress with the development of the proposed partnership between Social Services & Teignbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT) for the South Devon Integrated Care Network.

RESOLVED

(a) that the report be noted and endorsed as further progress towards developing the proposed partnership between Social Services & Teignbridge PCT for the South Devon Integrated Care Network;

(b) that the Executive note that work had commenced to evaluate the detailed cost of the proposals through a joint working group involving the Social Services and Resources Directorates and Teignbridge PCT and that the outcome of that work would be reported to a future meeting;

(c) that in light of (b) above the County Council's financial support to the project remain on an "in principle" basis until its affordability and priority within the Social Services Strategic Change Programme has been determined and until detailed costs apportioned between all parties have been identified;

(d) that progress with the development of an integrated estates strategy be noted and a further report from the Director of Social Services and the Teignbridge PCT be submitted in the coming months.

*689 Home Zone - Wonford, Exeter

The Executive considered the report of the County Environment Director (ED/04/62/HQ - supplementary information ED/04/62/HQ) on the proposed scheme layout and estimate for the proposed Home Zone scheme in Wonford, Exeter.

The Director reported that while Home Zones were firmly established in continental Europe they were still a relatively new example of urban design in the UK. Following a series of pilot projects, Government had invited applications from local authorities wishing to bid for a share of 30m available to develop further projects. Home Zones were defined as residential streets in which road space was shared between drivers of motor vehicles and other road users with the wider needs of residents including pedestrians, cyclists and children in mind. The aim was to change the way that residential streets were used to improve the quality of life by making them places for people, not just for traffic.

The County Council's application for the Wonford area of Exeter had been successful and an outline scheme had been submitted to the Exeter Joint Highways Committee in January 2002. Members noted that work on the scheme would have to be completed by March 2005 to qualify for the Government grant of 725,000.

Members also noted that the scheme now submitted had been developed and designed in co-operation with the local community and with a very high level of involvement and support from the residents living in the affected area.

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme layout shown on drawing number HZ-MP-3 be approved at an estimated cost of 745,000;

(b) that the traffic regulation orders required to implement the proposed scheme be advertised and made and sealed if no objections are received.

OTHER MATTERS

*690 Revenue Budget Monitoring 2003/04: Projected Outturn Based on Month 9

The Executive considered the report of the Director of Resources (DR/04/26) on the projected outturn for the current financial year based on Month 9 figures.

While the overall position was satisfactory, with a projected net underspend in the revenue budget of 506,000 for the year, the report highlighted a number of issues particularly in the areas of waste management, education and social services which would continue to need careful management throughout the remainder of the financial year. In relation to capital expenditure it was acknowledged that there might be some slippage, given the size of the current year's programme, but that it would be rolled forward and spent in 2004/05.

RESOLVED

(a) that the forecast position be noted;

(b) that management action continue to be taken to reduce forecast pressures on some parts of the budget;

(c) that where budget underspends were currently projected, management action continue to be taken to protect them.

*691 Risk Management Champion

RESOLVED that Councillor G Wickham be appointed Member Champion for Risk Management.

STANDING ITEMS

*692 Minutes of Committees

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following Committees be received:

(a) Exeter Area Rail Project Working Party - 12 February 2004;

(b) School Organisation Committee - 19 February 2004;

(c) Devon Local Admissions Forum - 19 February 2004;

(d) Farms Estate Committee - 20 February 2004;

(e) Personnel Partnership - 27 February 2004;

(f) Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education - 3 March 2004

*693 Delegated Action/Urgent Matters

The Registers of action taken by Chief Officers or Executive Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers were available for inspection at the meeting.

*694 Executive Forward Plan

In accordance with the Council's Constitution, the Executive reviewed the Forward Plan (available electronically at ) and determined those items of business to be defined as key decisions and included in the Plan for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 July 2004.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.30am and finished at 11.45am.

Notice of the decisions taken by the Executive will be sent by email to all Members of the Council within 2 working days of their being made and will, in the case of key decisions, come into force 5 working days after that date unless 'called-in' or referred back in line with the provisions of the Council's Constitution. The Minutes of the Executive are published on the County Council's Website at:-