Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meetings of Cabinet held on 5 March 2025 were agreed.

Guidance is available online to Councillors and co-opted members on making declarations of interest

Min 192. Homes for Ukraine support update.

Councillor Peter Faithfull, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Works with Ukrainian families.

Information on public speaking is available online

There were no public speakers.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

There were none.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the Press) have been excluded. There are three items which officers recommend should be dealt with in this way.

There were three items which officers recommended should be dealt with in this way recorded at Minutes 190 – 192.

Members noted the Minutes of the Strata Joint Scrutiny Committee held on 17 February 2025.

Members noted the Minutes of the Asset Management Forum held on 3 March 2025.

Members noted the Minutes of the Poverty Working Panel held on 24 February 2025.

Members noted the Minutes of the Cranbrook Placemaking Group held on 20 January 2025.

Following the successful delivery of two National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) projects (‘Great Trees’ and ‘Routes for Roots’, both in the Clyst Valley), the Delivery Team had developed proposals for a third NLHF project ‘Naturally Connected - Connecting Communities with the Heritage of the Clyst Valley’, focused around nature and community connections in Cranbrook and Mosshayne/Tithebarn; the new communities in the west of East Devon.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Supports the submission of a bid to National Lottery Heritage Fund NLHF in relation to the Naturally Connected - Connecting Communities with the Heritage of the Clyst Valley project.

2.     Delegates authority to the Director of Place in consultation with the Director of Finance and Portfolio Holder – Coast, Country and Environment to approve the bid for submission to the NLHF.

3.     Subject to securing NHLF funding; delegates authority to the Director of Place to enter into a legal agreement with the NLHF and Partner Organisations (summer 2025) allocate resources to progress the project and advertise and appoint a Project Officer with the aim of the project commencing in autumn 2025.

REASON:

The proposed lottery project would support access to nature & health and wellbeing in new communities in the western part of the district, and aligned with several themes in the Council Plan 2024-28, including:

·       Supporting the Council’s Vision to promote wellbeing and a fairer/equal society,

·       Alignment with and delivery of the Climate Change Strategy, Nature Recovery Plan, Tourism and Cultural Strategies,

·       Achieving objectives to increase grant funding to support projects across the district and collaboration/engagement with Town/Parish Councils.

·

The report outlined EDDC’s progress in achieving equality objectives from 2021-2025 and introduced a forward-looking Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan for 2025-2028. It also proposed key recommendations to enhance EDI at member level by ensuring it was actively championed, integrated into decision-making processes, and supported through training to equip members with the knowledge and awareness needed to address key EDI issues effectively.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Note progress made on previous equality objectives (2021-25)

2.     Note the comprehensive EDI Action Plan for 2025-2028 which outlines five main objectives and corresponding actions. This plan includes specific timelines and activities for each objective, demonstrating a structured approach to advancing EDI within the council and the communities it serves.

RECOMMENDED to Council the:

3.     Appointment of an EDI Member Champion, to work alongside the current Armed Forces Member Champion. It is recommended that the Council take steps to appoint an EDI Member Champion during the upcoming Annual Council in May. The appointment of an EDI Member Champion aligns with best practice in local government and demonstrates the Council's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. This role will play a vital part in ensuring that EDI remains a priority across all Council activities and decision-making processes.

4.     Approval of EDI Awareness Training Sessions, initially for members. To foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding among members, it is proposed that the Council approves the EDI awareness training sessions. This initiative aims to equip members with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively with EDI issues, thereby enhancing our collective ability to create a more inclusive environment.

REASON:

To note progress on existing Equalities objectives, note the new EDI Action Plan (2025-28), ensure commitment to EDI at member level and enhance members' awareness of EDI.

The report asked Members to formally agree the response by this Council to the submission of the proposed first revision (modification) of the Bishops Clyst (Clyst St Mary and Sowton) Neighbourhood Plan. Bishops Clyst Parish Council had formally submitted their modified Neighbourhood Plan to the District Council. The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (Regulation 16) required the District Council to formally consult on the Plan for a minimum of 6 weeks. At this stage the District Council had the opportunity to comment on the Neighbourhood Plan and must also prepare a Modification Statement to be submitted to the Examiner.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Note the formal submission of this first revision to the Bishops Clyst (Clyst St Mary and Sowton) Neighbourhood Plan and congratulate the producers of the plan on their dedicated hard work and commitment throughout the process.

2.     Agree that the proposed representation set out at paragraph 1.21 and Annex 2 and 3 in this report is made in response to the consultation and agree to the Modification Statement in Annex 1.

REASON:

To ensure that the view of the District Council is formally recorded and informs the consideration of the Neighbourhood Plan by the independent Examiner.

The Vice-Chair to move the following:

“that under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public

(including the press) be excluded from the meeting as exempt information, of the

description set out on the agenda, is likely to be disclosed and on balance the

public interest is in discussing this item in private session (Part B)”.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

That under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public (including the press) be excluded from the meeting as exempt information, of the description set out on the agenda, is likely to be disclosed and on balance the public interest is in discussing this item in private session (Part B).

RESOLVED:

The recommendations as set out in the report were agreed.

RESOLVED:

The amended recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED:

The recommendations as set out in the report were agreed.