Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX. View directions

Contact: Email: comsec@teignbridge.gov.uk  Email: comsec@teignbridge.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

58.

Election of Chair 2021/22

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor G Hook and seconded by Councillor Tume that Councillor Bullivant be elected Chair for the current municipal year.

 

RESOLVED

Councillor Bullivant is elected Chair for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

 

 

59.

Election of Vice Chair 2021/22

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor G Hook and seconded by Councillor Hayes that Councillor Swain be elected Vice Chair for the current municipal year.

 

RESOLVED

Councillor Swain is elected Vice Chair for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

 

60.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 196 KB

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair with the amendment of the Trainee Democratic Services Officer being added to the list of officers being in attendance.  

61.

Declaration of Interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

62.

Public Questions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

63.

Councillor Questions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following questions were asked under Council Procedure Rules by Councillor Bullivant of the Executive Member for Jobs and Economy.

 

a.         What are key employment sectors within Teignbridge and what are their core skills requirements?

Answer

It depends on how you define ‘key’, for example is it by the number of people employed in that sector, the value of that sector to the local economy (measured by Gross Value Added) or how that sector is perceived in relation to the character of an area?

 

Core skill requirements will be different depending on the business, but we’re aware of the national need to enhance digital skills alongside improving digital infrastructure.

 

b.        What are the roles of different bodies with this focus?

Answer

Could Cllr Bullivant kindly expand on his question so that an answer can be given?

 

c.         How does Teignbridge gather key information from employment sectors?

Answer

Teignbridge doesn’t gather information, we rely on national and county data which can be viewed on Nomis, which is part of the Office of National Statistics website or Devon County’s ‘Devonomics’ site.

 

d.        How are skills development and training currently provided by companies or external providers?

Answer

That is a question for each business, we don’t have that answer.

 

e.         Where are training facilities located and how are they meeting employers needs and are they in the ‘right’ locations?

Answer

There are schools and colleges in the main towns in Teignbridge, Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth, as well as the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter. There are also private training providers, but we do not keep a record of them or their location.

 

f.          Are there any key skills areas or locations where available training is not meeting employers needs?

Answer

We can’t answer that question

 

g.        Can TDC identify any training gaps and propose solutions?

Answer

Responsibility for training and education is with Devon County Council. The County work closely with the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership on skills training opportunities, and more can be found on their website, where they have a ‘Skills Launchpad’ https://skillslaunchpad.org.uk/.  The businesses themselves also work directly with education providers to identify training needs.

 

In response to a supplementary question relating to questions above that the council did not have information to answer, the Executive Member for Economy and Jobs advised that the Council worked in partnership with South Devon College and would be in contact with them regarding these issues for any available research information.

64.

Executive Forward Plan

To note forthcoming issues anticipated to be considered by the Executive over the next 12 months. The Executive Forward Plan can be found here.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Forward Plan detailing issues anticipated to be considered by the Executive over the next 12 months was noted, with the request that it also identifies the relevant Scrutiny Committee for issues.

65.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 228 KB

To review the Committee’s Work Programme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee’s Work Programme as circulated with the agenda was noted, with the request that anticipated dates be identified for issues listed under Items to be scheduled.

66.

Eexcutive Member Biannual Update Councillor Keeling -Corporate Resources

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources updated the Committee on progress of services within this portfolio which provide support to the main frontline services and key corporate roles and included:

·     A favourable variance on the revenue budget of £87,000 up to the end of May 2021 mainly due to some New Burdens funding which was unexpected of £228,000, some positive income variations on land charges, and positive returns for car parking.

·     The closedown of the 20/21 accounts is nearing completion and will be available by the end of July. A very favourable position is anticipated with income levels higher than anticipated, government funding claimed and covid grants supporting resources.

·     All services have responded successfully and efficiently to the demands of covid and changes as we emerge from restrictions, such as formal Council meetings now meeting in person, in accordance with legislation.

·     Key challenges include the Business rates reform, fair funding review, the covid income losses and future trends, the budget gap, BEST2020 process (now Better 2022), business continuity & resilience, and supporting increased activity.

·     Key projects and objectives include the Investment Strategy and continuing to review in light of Government concerns; business plan/service plan reviews and implementation which will be linked to recovery plan, and the pursuit of local procurement.

 

The Executive Member was asked to progress the Council lobbying the Government in expediting legislation to enable formal meetings to be held remotely, on the grounds of sustainability and rising covid cases. 

 

The full presentation by the Executive Member for Corporate Resources can be found here.

67.

Executive Member Biannual Update Councillor Jefferies - Jobs and Economy

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Jobs and Economy updated the Committee on progress of services within this portfolio which included:

·      Facts about the Teignbridge economy.

·      Support for local businesses during Covid by: e.g. deploying £73 million of business funding; facilitating Kickstart apprenticeships, including within the Council; regular feedback, workshops and surveys with businesses and local leaders; working with local communities on priorities for the Welcome Back Fund; the Future High Street Fund scheme; review of employment site delivery; and developing and adopting our Jobs Plan

·      Details of the Teignbridge Jobs Plan to increase job opportunities.

·      Other organisations which provide economic development support.

·      How the Council gathers key economic information.

·      How Councillors can help.

 

The Executive Member was asked for additional information on how the Council could be more entrepreneurial and the potential for a workshop for Members.

 

The full presentation can be viewed here.

68.

Council Strategy Performance Monitoring Q4 pdf icon PDF 427 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Performance and Data Analyst referred to the agenda report covering the period 1 January to 31 March 2021, which updated performance of the Council’s Strategy 2020-2030 T10 priorities. Details of the programmes, projects and performance indicators with a concern or caution status together with an explanation of the performance and improvement plan was detailed in the appendix of the agenda report.

 

Members asked that additional information from the Executive Members be made available in the Members’ Newsletter in regards to the following:

·      What work was being undertaken to attract shoppers to Newton Abbot Market, and to investigate a spokesperson from the Market to make a presentation at a future meeting on current issues being faced by market traders (Jobs and Economy)

·      The uptake of online leisure classes (Sport, Recreation and Culture).

·      Whether the Capital Programme projects should have an expected delivery date.

 

RESOLVED

The agenda report and the actions being taken to rectify performance issues detailed in the Appendix of the report be noted.