Agenda item

Decisions made by Cabinet called in by Members for scrutiny in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules

Minute 140, EDDC Cabinet, dated 5th February 2020, Queens Drive Development Project.

 

Resolution 1

1.     a selection panel comprising of the Leader, the Portfolio Holders for Asset Management, Finance and Economy, an EDDC Exmouth ward member appointed by the Leader, the Service Lead (Place, Assets and Commercialisation) and Project Manager – Place & Prosperity, be established for the purpose of agreeing the selection criteria for the commercial development (Phase 3a & 3b), which should be agreed in consultation with the Exmouth Queen’s Drive Delivery Group. Then carrying out the evaluation of the bids received following the marketing exercise with a view to making a recommendation to Cabinet in relation to the preferred bidder / operator. That the Strategic Lead Finance be given delegated authority to progress the rest of the actions identified in Section 6 of the report,

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Vice Chairman (Cllr Kim Bloxham), along with five other members of the Committee had requested a ‘call in’ of Resolution 1, Minute 140 of the Cabinet meeting dated 5th February 2020, “Queens Drive Development Project” under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 15, Call-in procedure for Call-in, paragraph 4, sub paragraphs (a) to (h) inclusive. She had agreed to this call-in on the grounds that it was appropriate to consider the appropriate size of the Selection Panel and the balance between representatives from across the district and those representing the town. The resolution was as follows:

 

1.     a selection panel comprising of the Leader, the Portfolio Holders for Asset Management, Finance and Economy, an EDDC Exmouth ward member appointed by the Leader, the Service Lead (Place, Assets and Commercialisation) and Project Manager – Place & Prosperity, be established for the purpose of agreeing the selection criteria for the commercial development (Phase 3a & 3b), which should be agreed in consultation with the Exmouth Queen’s Drive Delivery Group. Then carrying out the evaluation of the bids received following the marketing exercise with a view to making a recommendation to Cabinet in relation to the preferred bidder / operator. That the Strategic Lead Finance be given delegated authority to progress the rest of the actions identified in Section 6 of the report,

 

Daphne Currier, local Exmouth resident expressed concerns over what was proposed at Queens Drive and asked why this was happening. She considered there were alternative uses for the site other than as a hotel. She expressed concern that the officers at East Devon were making decisions on behalf of the residents of Exmouth and the views of the residents and Exmouth councillors were being ignored. The survey of less than 2,000 people was given preference over a town poll at which less than 4.1% of people voted to accept the plan. A hotel had come at the bottom of the list of proposed developments on the site for Exmouth Town Council.

 

Sally Goldsworthy, reported that the district council vote in the May 2019 elections in Exmouth was overwhelmingly in favour of change. She was concerned that the 4 people on the selection panel would be voting on decisions for Queens Drive and would by-pass the other elected councillors. Officers were paid staff and are advisors and not the masters of councillors.

 

Councillor Paul Arnott, who had been the proposer of the call-in reported that the election results in Exmouth in May 2019 had reflected the publics disquiet at proposals for Queens Drive. He was concerned over the damage to the council’s reputation if the proposals went ahead as proposed. He considered that there was also a lack of local representation on the selection panel.

 

During discussions the following points were noted:

·       there was considerable concern from local residents on the proposals for Queens Drive, Exmouth.

·       Need to amend the resolution of Cabinet to expand representation on the selection panel.

·       Concern expressed that the disbandment of Exmouth Regeneration Board had meant that there was nowhere to meet to discuss issues effecting Exmouth other than Queens Drive.

·       Why was the selection panel made up of such a small group of people. It needed more local representation.

·       There was a lack of local support for the proposal. The selection panel needed greater representation from councillors in Exmouth. More openness and transparency.

·       The decision by Cabinet on Queens Drive was an unpopular and opaque. Concern that decisions were being made behind closed doors.

·       Developments were being made on Exmouth seafront when global warming meant that sea levels were rising.

·       The views of the people of Exmouth had been ignored and the consultation process had been ignored.

·       Considerable cost of building the road and moving its position.

·       Exmouth residents felt they were being told what they wanted by people who did not live there.

·       The proposal for a hotel was an opportunity to invest in Exmouth.

·       Concern that the project had been badly manage and over the arrogant attitude of officers.

·       No understanding or empathy was displayed for Exmouth seafront.

·       The selection panel as proposed by Cabinet was not democratic and it did not properly represent Exmouth. Representation need to be widened.

·       The impression was that EDDC wanted to make money from the site.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that a selection panel to be established for the purpose of agreeing the selection criteria for the commercial development (Phase 3a & Phase 3b), which should be agreed in consultation with the Exmouth Queen’s Drive Delivery Group.

Membership of the panel to be as follows:

The Leader, the Portfolio Holders for Asset Management, Finance and Economy, one EDDC Exmouth member per ward, with political balance (appointed by the Queen’s Drive Delivery Group). Supporting the panel will be the Service Lead – Place, Assets and Commercialisation and Project Manager – Place & Prosperity.

The panel will carry out the evaluation of the bids received following the marketing exercise with a view to making a recommendation to Cabinet in relation to the preferred bidder/operator.

If no suitable external bidder is identified, the project will be referred back to Cabinet to review the entire phase 3 plan, with full public engagement.

 

If the Council is minded to invest in a hotel or other business on the site the decision will be reviewed by SWAP to advise on risk.