Agenda and minutes

To elect the Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2021/22

Councillor R B Evans nominated Councillor R F Radford for election as Chairman of the District Council for the year 2021/2022.  This nomination was seconded by Councillor R J Dolley.

RESOLVED that Councillor R F Radford be elected Chairman of the Mid Devon District Council for the Municipal Year 2021/2022

In accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor R F Radford then made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

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The Chairman thanked the retiring Chairman, Councillor L J Cruwys for the way in which he had carried out the duties of his position. The retiring Chairman thanked the Council.

The Chairman addressed the Council and thanked the Members for electing him as Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor D R Coren.

Members to note the Protocol for Remote Meetings.

The protocol for remote meetings was NOTED.

To elect the Vice Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2021/22.

The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor Mrs E M Andrews:-

“That Councillor R J Dolley be elected as Vice Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2021/2022”.

RESOLVED that Councillor R J Dolley be elected Vice Chairman of Mid Devon District Council for the Municipal Year 2021/2022

In accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972, Councillor R J Dolley then made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked the Council for having elected him as its Vice Chairman.

To elect the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2021/22.

Councillor L D Taylor nominated Councillor F W Letch for election as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee. The nomination was seconded by Councillor S J Clist.

Councillor R L Stanley nominated Councillor B G J Warren for election as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee. The nomination was seconded by Councillor A Wilce.

Upon a vote being taken:

It was then:-

RESOLVED that Councillor B G J Warren be elected Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2021/2022.

After this annual meeting, there are no scheduled meetings before the elections on 6 May, when 3 district wards are being contested.  There will be a further by-election in the summer following the sad passing of Glanmor Hughes.  So, from a current council membership of 38, it will progress to 41 before any scheduled meeting - and eventually to a full complement of 42.  It is therefore recommended that the Council retain the current allocation (based on 39 councillors) until the ordinary meeting on 30 June 2021, when the allocation of seats can be updated to reflect the true political balance arising from the elections.  As a reminder, the currently approved allocation is shown at Appendix 1.

Accordingly, it is recommended:

(a)    that the Council approve the allocation of seats on Committees and other Council Bodies as shown at Appendix 1;

(b)    that Members be appointed to Committees, Policy Development Groups, certain Working Groups and other Council Bodies in accordance with the names notified to the Chief Executive by each of the Political Groups represented on the Council, to give effect to the approved allocation of seats  in (a) above;

(c)    that the Chief Executive be authorised to make changes to the membership of Committees, Policy Development Groups, certain Working Groups and other Council Bodies as may be notified to him from time to time by the relevant Political Group to which those seats have been allocated by the Council;

(d)     that the remaining seats to be filled by ungrouped Members shall be so filled in accordance with the current membership of committees and other bodies shown at Appendix 2.

The Council had before it Tables setting out the proposed allocation of seats on Committees and other Council bodies.

Arising thereon:-

Appointment of Committees, Policy Development Groups, certain Working Groups and other Council Bodies

The Chairman MOVED THAT,

(a)    The Council approve the allocation of seats on Committees and other Council Bodies as shown at Appendix 1;

(b)    Members be appointed to Committees, Policy Development Groups, certain Working Groups and other Council Bodies in accordance with the names notified to the Chief Executive by each of the Political Groups represented on the Council, to give effect to the approved allocation of seats  in (a) above;

(c)    The Chief Executive be authorised to make changes to the membership of Committees, Policy Development Groups, certain Working Groups and other Council Bodies as may be notified to him from time to time by the relevant Political Group to which those seats have been allocated by the Council;

(d)    The remaining seats to be filled by ungrouped Members shall be so filled in accordance with the current membership of committees and other bodies shown at Appendix 2.

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

To consider the list of appointments to outside bodies and seek representatives to the vacant positions available.

Councillor Mrs N Woollatt MOVED, seconded by Councillor C R Slade

“THAT the current incumbents be carried forward from the previous year’

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

           Outside Appointments 2021/22

The Chairman MOVED,

“THAT Members be appointed to the new outside bodies in accordance with the list below”

Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED and the following appointments APPROVED.          

To agree the existing scheme of delegations as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution. (The Scheme of Delegation sets out the levels of decision making within the Council, outlining those to be made by Council, the Cabinet, individual Cabinet Members, those Committees with regulatory functions and officers).

The Chairman MOVED:-

“THAT the Council agree the existing scheme of delegations as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution.

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

To approve the programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the year 2021/22:

30 June 2021

25 August 2021

27 October 2021

22 December 2021

23 February 2022

27 April 2022

The Chairman MOVED:-

THATthe following programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the year 2021/22 be approved:-

30 June 2021, 25 August 2021, 27 October 2021, 22 December 2021, 23 February 2022, 27 April 2022

Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED, with it being AGREED that the Monitoring Officer consider bringing forward the meeting of Council on 22 December, to avoid the Christmas period.