Agenda item

Members considered the reports within the District Executive agenda for 5 November 2020 and raised comments as detailed below. Responses to most questions and comments were provided at Scrutiny Committee by the relevant officers or Portfolio Holder – except those marked by an asterisk.

“Towards a Climate Resilient Somerset” – Somerset’s Climate Emergency Strategy (Agenda Item 6)

·        Members wished to thank all officers and councillors, both at South Somerset and the other Somerset authorities, for all their work in creating the comprehensive report and strategy, especially given the current circumstances.

·        Members acknowledged this would be a constantly evolving and working document and also noted it was an example of how all the Somerset local authorities had worked to together regarding a single issue.

·        Referring to behaviour change – a member asked how we would work with families and schools about changing travel habits for example – had any progress been made to date?

·        A member asked if further detail could be provided about the electric car charging points including the type (e.g. rapid) and the likely costs to be charged to customers for using the chargers.

·        *A member asked if the responsibilities for public footpaths (Public Rights of Way) had been looked at as part of the strategy? He noted that if encouraging increased use of footpaths that more maintenance may be required.

·        Members were content that the recommendations go forward.

Corporate Performance Report 2020-21 – 2^nd Quarter (Agenda Item 7)

·        Some members queried the statistics for planning (PCS 7-16) as it was felt some data was open to interpretation.

·        *PCS11 – it was felt the figures were misleading as the figure included applications with extensions of time and so was not a reflection of those applications actually determined within the 13 week timescale.

·        *PCS15 – members noted there was no detail to indicate how long extensions of time were for and the information would be of interest. They also noted that a breakdown of information to show differentiation of who had agreed / requested the extensions of time (eg, applicant or SSDC) would be useful.

·        Some members felt there needed to more recognition of there being some issues with the planning service.

·        *PCS14 – members noted the appeals lost figure was rising. A member queried if officers and the Portfolio Holder were comfortable that the matter could be addressed to a more acceptable level?

·        A member asked if it was possible for figures to be circulated to members regarding the number of major planning applications which had been approved but not yet come to fruition – especially any permissions which were now beyond the three-year time limit and hence expired?

2020/21 Capital Budget Monitoring Report for the Period Ending 30^th September 2020 (Agenda Item 8)

·        Members asked some points of detail regarding elements of the report:

o   Table 1, page 39 – Figure of 1,535 (£’000) is shown for Investment in Land, Property and Renewables – could a brief breakdown be provided?

o   *Appx A, page 46 - Figure of 9,900 (£’000) is shown for Investment in Land, Property and Renewables – could a brief breakdown or reminder be provided as the comment refers to property renovations complete?

o   *Appx A, page 46 – Figure if 800 (£’000) is shown for Westlands Building Improvement Works - could a reminder be put in the narrative or comment of what the project / funding is for? Some members expressed concerns about the amount of capital being spent on the facility considering it’s leased.

o   *Appx A, page 47 – Affordable Housing (Chard Working Mens Club) – Some members queried how the situation had occurred.

o   Appx A, page 48 – Wincanton Community Sports Centre – some members asked what the situation was if basic maintenance was not undertaken at the facility?

2020/21 Revenue Budget Monitoring Report for the Period Ending 30^th September 2020 (Agenda Item 9)

·        Page 67, Careline – whilst not specifically related to the report, a member queried the comfort call service provided by Careline and acknowledged it was a service much valued by customers especially at the current time – however he believed that the comfort call service may have changed slightly which was possibly causing anxiety and concern for some customers. He asked if the matter could be looked into further as he felt that engagement with some Careline customers may need to be reviewed especially during the current pandemic.

District Executive Forward Plan (Agenda Item 10)

·        Regarding the Investment Assets report due in December, a member requested if the report could include detail of the returns (return on investment) for the Opium Battery Storage Project near Taunton.