Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Cottle-Hunkin.

There were no public contributions.

Confirmation of the minutes held on 20 April 2021.

It was proposed by Councillor Gubb, seconded by Councillor Langford and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th April 2021 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For 8, Abstentions 1)

The Senior Electoral and Democratic Services Officer confirmed that an update of Members iPads had occurred overnight which the service provider had not informed TDC of, therefore the old ModGov application is no longer supported.

The action list was discussed and updated.

Confirmation was given that the Estuary Strategy Task & Finish Group had held its first meeting and Jet Skis could be considered in the Estuary Strategy as a whole.

Members with interests should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is considered.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

The Chair expressed his thanks to the previous Democratic Services Officer, Mary Richards for all her hard work over the years for the Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee and requested a letter of thanks be sent to her.

Councillor S Harding was welcomed as a new Member of the Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee and thanks were given to Councillor Manley who is no longer a member on Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

There were no Part II items.

To receive the report of the Finance Manager (S151 Officer)

The purpose of this report was for Members to recommend to the Community & Resources Committee that the 2020/21 surplus be set aside to a leisure reserve.

The Service Improvement Officer delivered the presentation highlighting the positive and negatives on the goals throughout, what was, a very difficult year due to COVID-19.

Councillor Newton joined the meeting at 10.17am.

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) continued with the presentation to explain the financial aspect which included confirmation that the surplus had decreased from the amount stated in the original report. Emphasis was made on the fact that figures were still in draft form pending certification from Devon Business Pool.

Confirmation was given that TDC’s first Ethical Investment had been made.

Questions concerning the QBR are asked for in writing in advance of the meeting so that Officers can formulate an answer and to save time.

Prior to the vote the Finance Manager (S151 Officer) reminded the Committee of the decreased figure.

It was proposed by Councillor Newton, seconded by Councillor Watson,

That an amendment be made to recommendation 2, in the report, that the 2020/21 surplus figure of £964k be removed and -

Resolved:

1)    Receive and note the QBR.

2)    That it be recommended to Community & Resources Committee that the surplus from 2020/21 be set aside to a leisure reserve.

(Vote: Unanimous)

The Chair went through the Questions and Answer supplement.

Following a query, the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) confirmed that the Operational Services Manager will be conducting a review of the Harbour to include investigating potential revenue ideas.

TDC are obliged to report to Central Government on the Harbour’s expenditure however this is not used internally.

A brief discussion took place on ascertaining the income and expenditure of the Fishdock. Following the discussion, it was requested that an email be circulated following the meeting, from the Finance Manager (S151 Officer), detailing this information. 

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) gave a brief verbal update advising of work being done in the background.

Suggestion was made and agreed that a Task & Finish Group be constructed to include:

·         The Finance Manager (S151 Officer)

·         The Senior Capital Accountant

·         Councillor Watson and Councillor Newton

·         Non-elected Members Mr Dengate & Mr Harper  

Meetings will be arranged with a completion date no later than the end of September.

The Chair advised that Officers are working on this with the next meeting in two weeks.

A more detailed update will be presented at the next Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting in August.

The Chair presented the report, the purpose of which was for Members to receive and adopt the Internal Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/21.

Clarification was given that the Play Strategy comes within the External Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair confirmed that as Carbon reporting will be in the QBR there was no need for it to be in this report.

It was proposed by Councillor Newton, seconded by Councillor Inch and –

Resolved:

That Members approve the adoption of the Internal Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/21.

(Vote: Unanimous)

To review the Forward Plan.

The forward plan was discussed at length with the following to be added:

·         Previous Peer review - the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to check with SMT to ascertain if a new one is required or just a review of the existing/old one.

·         Urgent Decisions

·         Social Values

·         QBR format review – September meeting.

The Chair advised further discussions on the update of the forward plan will take place with the Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager.