Agenda and minutes

In memory of Councillor Miss Clarissa Slade, a minute’s silence will take place.

Those in attendance observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Miss Clarissa Slade.

The Chairman presented a book of condolence to her parents Councillors Colin and Mrs Elizabeth Slade.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs: Mrs E M Andrews, Mrs H Bainbridge, R M Deed, R F Radford, F J Rosamond and N A Way.

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and the reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

Members were reminded of the need to declare any interests when appropriate.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 21 February 2018

The Council is reminded that only those Members present at the previous meeting should vote and, in doing so, should be influenced only by seeking to ensure that the minutes are an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements which the Chairman of the Council may wish to make.

The Chairman informed the meeting of the recent events he had attended: he had visited Morchard Bishop Parish Council, raised the flag for Commonwealth Day at Phoenix House and led the World War 1 Commemorative Act on 12 March, (he thanked his PA Mrs Sarah Lees for all the preparation work for the event).   He had also attended Civic Services at Teignbridge, Plymouth and Uffculme (for Devon County Council) and hosted the Mid Devon Civic Service at Morchard Bishop on 15 April (he thanked the Member Services team for their work in organising the event) . The previous weekend he had attended a Victoria Cross commemorative event in East Devon and the Mid Devon Scouts Parade in Okehampton and earlier in the week he had attended the Mayor’s reception in Crediton.

To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

There were no members of the public present.

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

There were no petitions from members of the public.

(1)          Motion 541 (Councillor Mrs J Roach - 30 November 2017)

The following motion had been referred to the Standards Committee for consideration and report:

This Council reconsiders the time and times that it allows ward members to speak at the planning committee. The present system gives many opportunities to speak but allows the local member only one opportunity. At the very least Council should give elected Councillors the opportunity to correct incorrect statements, something that exists within standing orders but not allowed at the planning committee. At the last planning committee the situation that exists at the moment prevented me as the elected Councillor for Silverton for pointing out that the Highways advice was inconsistent with previous advice given on the same site.

The Standards Committee at its meeting on 14 March 2018 considered the Motion and recommended that it not be supported as the matters raised within the Motion had been adequately covered and surpassed by a recommendation to the Planning Committee.

(2)          Motion 545 (Councillor L Taylor – 10 April 2018)

The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

That this Council considers the use of British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) stickers on all Mid Devon grass cutting machinery, requesting that all users check the area to be cut before using the equipment. The stickers are free and are being used by other Councils such as East Devon District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Manchester City Council to name but a few. 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Environment Policy Development Group.

(3)          Motion 546 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)

The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

This Council agrees to clarify the rules in the constitution relating to who can speak at working groups and to non planning application agenda items at the planning committee. This motion seeks to establish the right in law of Councillors to participate in the democratic process without relying on a Chairman's discretion.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Standards Committee.

(4)          Motion 547 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)

The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

This Council agrees to amend the constitution by removing the right of a Chairman to use a casting vote.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting

(5)          Motion 548 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 12 April 2018)

The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

This Council regrets that at the last Council meeting Cllr Mrs J Roach was given incorrect and misleading answers to some of her  ...  view the full agenda text for item 139.

(1)          Motion 541 (Councillor Mrs J Roach - 30 November 2017)

The following motion had been referred to the Standards Committee for consideration and report:

This Council reconsiders the time and times that it allows ward members to speak at the planning committee. The present system gives many opportunities to speak but allows the local member only one opportunity. At the very least Council should give elected Councillors the opportunity to correct incorrect statements, something that exists within standing orders but not allowed at the planning committee. At the last planning committee the situation that exists at the moment prevented me as the elected Councillor for Silverton for pointing out that the Highways advice was inconsistent with previous advice given on the same site.

The Standards Committee at its meeting on 14 March 2018 considered the Motion and recommended that it not be supported as the matters raised within the Motion had been adequately covered and surpassed by a recommendation to the Planning Committee.

Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have FAILED.

(2)          Motion 545 (Councillor L Taylor – 10 April 2018)

The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

That this Council considers the use of British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) stickers on all Mid Devon grass cutting machinery, requesting that all users check the area to be cut before using the equipment. The stickers are free and are being used by other Councils such as East Devon District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Manchester City Council to name but a few. 

The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor L Taylor and seconded by Councillor R Wright.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Environment Policy Development Group.

(3)          Motion 546 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)

The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

This Council agrees to clarify the rules in the constitution relating to who can speak at working groups and to non-planning application agenda items at the planning committee. This motion seeks to establish the right in law of Councillors to participate in the democratic process without relying on a Chairman's discretion.

The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor Mrs J Roach and seconded by Councillor T W Snow.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Standards Committee

(4)          Motion 547 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)

The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

This Council agrees to amend the constitution by removing the right of a Chairman to use a casting vote.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this Motion be dealt with at this meeting.

Councillor Mrs J Roach had submitted the following AMENDMENT :

To amend the motion to read: This Council recognises that the right of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.

To receive and consider the reports, minutes and recommendations of the recent meetings as follows:

(1)   Cabinet

-        8 March 2018

-        5 April 2018

2)    Scrutiny Committee

-            12 March 2018

-            16 April 2018 (to follow)

(3)  Audit Committee

-      20 March 2018

(4)  Environment Policy Development Group

-            6 March 2018

(5)  Homes Policy Development Group

-            13 March 2018

(6)   Economy Policy Development Group

-             8 March 2018

(7)  Community Policy Development Group

-            27 March 2018

(8)  Planning Committee

-            28 February 2018

-            21 March 2018

-            18 April 2018 (to follow)

(9)   Standards Committee

-             14 March 2018

The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 March 2018

1.    Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy (Min 136)

The Leader MOVED seconded by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott

THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 136 be ADOPTED.

Upon a vote being taking, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 April 2018

1.    Mid Devon Destination Management Strategy (Min 147)

The Leader MOVED seconded by Councillor R J Chesterton:

THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 147 be ADOPTED.

Upon a vote being taking, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

2.    Pay Policy  (Min 151)

The Leader MOVED seconded by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott:

THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 151 be ADOPTED.

Upon a vote being taking, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

The Vice Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 March 2018.

The Vice Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 April 2018.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 March 2018.

The Vice Chairman of the Environment Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 6 March 2018.

The Chairman of the Homes Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 13 March 2018.

The Chairman of the Economy Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 8 March 2018.

The Chairman of the Community Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 27 March 2018.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 February 2018.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 March 2018.

1.    Recommendations from the Standards Committee – Planning Procedures (min 139)

The Chairman of the Planning Committee MOVED seconded by Councillor Mrs J B Binks:

THAT the recommendations (a-c) of the Planning Committee as set out in Minute 139 be ADOPTED.

Following discussion and upon a vote being taking, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

The Council had before it a question * submitted by Councillor Mrs J Roach  in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2, together with a response from the Monitoring Officer.

Notes:

i)             Councillors Mrs J Roach, L Taylor and Mrs N Woollatt requested that their votes against (b) be recorded;

ii)            *Question previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 April 2018.

The Chairman of the Standards Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 March 2018.

To receive the Annual reports (attached) of the Audit Committee, Scrutiny Committee and the four Policy Development Groups.

The Chairmen of the Audit Committee and the Scrutiny Committee and the Chairmen of the Environment, Homes, Community and Economy Policy Development Groups presented their Annual Reports* to the Council.

Note: *Reports previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

Decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency – January to March 2018.

There have been no such decisions in this period.

With regard to any decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency – January to March 2018.

The Chairman informed the meeting that no such decisions had been taken in this period

To deal with any questions raised pursuant to Procedure Rule 13 not already dealt with during the relevant Committee reports.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 13.2 that had not been previously answered.

Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios.

Councillor Mrs N Woollatt addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing asked whether the Cabinet Member was aware of a 3 bedroomed Council property in Cullompton which had remained empty for 9 months.  She had received complaints from neighbours that the property was deteriorating.  She had been informed that the decision had now been made to sell the property, by the time the property was sold it would have stood empty for 12 months and could have been used for the provision of temporary accommodation. She questioned the decision making process with regard to leaving the property empty and then deciding to sell it 10 months later.

The Cabinet Member for Housing responded stating that he was aware of the property; discussions had taken place as to whether to revamp the property or sell it.   The decision had now been made to sell the property and he would look into the process.

Councillor T W Snow addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing stated that he had received an email from a local resident regarding land at the top of Hammett Way in Cullompton - a grassed area which was cut twice a year. Would the Cabinet Member consider upgrading the land to make 2 car parking spaces in order to take cars off the road and ease congestion?

The Cabinet Member stated that he would look into the matter.

To receive any statements made and notice of future questions by Members.

Note:  the time allowed for this item is limited to 15 minutes.

Councillor Mrs N Woollatt informed the meeting that, although she had been unable to attend, the new Scout Community Building (at Kingfisher Reach, Cullompton) had been officially opened the previous weekend.  She stated that Councillor Snow had fought very hard for the provision of the community building and that he should be commended for his work in this matter.