Agenda item

The Chair made three brief announcements.

Firstly he thanked all Members who had installed Jubilee Oak Plaques as a gift from EDDC to local Towns and Parishes, and stated that all remaining plaques were available for collection from The Ocean Suite at this Annual Council Meeting. He reiterated that it would be good to ensure that all plaques were installed either before or during the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, as part of a well-received initiative across East Devon.

Secondly, he gave a brief update on the Ukrainian Refugee situation. EDDC were continuing to work collaboratively with DCC and other Devon districts to deliver the role that the Government had prescribed for local authorities in the effort to provide safe refuge for people fleeing the invasion of Ukraine.

As part of the Governments Homes for Ukraine Scheme, the Council was continuing to carry out accommodation checks on the suitability of properties across the District, with 56 inspections completed and a further 29 visits booked. To date it was aware of approximately 95 arrangements in East Devon with sponsor or Host families, which would translate into about 300 Ukrainian guests.

The Revenue and Benefits team were continuing to administer subsistence payments to refugees and sponsor households, and payments had been made to 67 individuals and 28 households. 22 Host families have applied for the monthly support payments.

Within the coming few days EDDC would be finalising its offer of welcome support and ongoing support for Ukrainians and sponsor families, having been working with the East Devon branch of CAB on this and would be commissioning them to provide the support required. Cabinet have been consulted on the details of this arrangement and how it is intended to be managed.

EDDC would also be providing support to the newly established’ ‘Devon for Ukraine’ Charity, which would be provided in a few ways as the Charity was already assisting people from East Devon and EDDC is keen to ensure they were able to continue to do so. The Charity have established a pop up ‘Conversation Café’ in Exeter and members of the existing Ukrainian community were pro-actively supporting and running this. This was creating a useful ‘hub’ where support services could also base themselves in order to provide support on a wider scale to those that need it.

EDDC visited the Conversation Café this week and took the opportunity to thank the charity for the outstanding work they were undertaking to help sponsors and Ukrainians who were in East Devon.

There is continuing concern about the breakdown of sponsorship arrangements and the housing team were working closely with the County and others to establish a process for re-matching Ukrainians with alternative hosts, recognising the need to do everything we could to prevent homelessness approaches although inevitability this was predicted over the coming weeks/months.

Finally, in relation to former Cllr John Humphreys. The Chair said that nobody would forget the shock of hearing that former East Devon District Councillor, John Humphries had been convicted and sentenced to 21 years in prison, for sexual offences against two young boys between 20 and 30 years earlier.  Enduring thoughts remain for the victims and how a large part of their lives had been dominated by the unimaginable, despicable actions of Mr Humphreys.

On 18th December 2019, Council had bestowed the honour of Honorary Alderman on John Humphreys. His conviction in August 2021 demonstrated this to be a fundamental, dreadful mistake.  On 7th September 2021, the Chair convened an Extraordinary General Meeting of Council, which moved unanimously to correct that error, by rescinding the award with immediate effect.

On 20th April 2022, Full Council resolved that the Chief Executive provide a report to Cabinet which would consider commissioning an independent investigation, or enquiry by an appropriate independent body. The Chair confirmed that work on this report was in progress.

The CEO has written to all Group Leaders, seeking their views on the proposed terms and scope of an independent investigation or inquiry. Replies had been received. The CEO was now preparing Instructions to Counsel, seeking legal advice on how action on the resolution of Council might progress. The Chair expected his report to be presented to Cabinet on 13th July 2022.