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  • Agenda and draft minutes

    Extraordinary, Council - Wednesday, 8th March, 2023 6.00 pm, NEW

    • Attendance details
    • Agenda frontsheet PDF 101 KB
    • Agenda reports pack
    • Supplemental Agenda - Appendix 3 to item 9 PDF 508 KB
    • Supplemental Agenda - Appendix 3A to item 9 PDF 446 KB
    • Printed draft minutes PDF 337 KB
    • Written Answers to Public Questions PDF 91 KB

    Venue: Phoenix Chambers, Phoenix House, Tiverton

    Contact: Andrew Seaman  Member Services Manager

    Link: audio recording

    Items
    No. Item

    153.

    Apologies

    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Councillors: S J Penny, A White, J Berry, J Norton, N V Davey.

     

    154.

    Public Question Time pdf icon PDF 144 KB

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

     

    Additional documents:

    • Written Answer to Public Questions - Council - 8 March 2023 , item 154. pdf icon PDF 144 KB

    Minutes:

    Paul Elstone

     

    Question 1

    My questions relate to agenda items 8 & 9 - MDDC Budget and in particular revenue and 3 Rivers ability to pay back debt. Questions especially relevant as it is calculated that there is over Four million pounds of bad debt exposure fully related to 3 Rivers that will somehow need to be accounted for going forward. A bad debt that is very likely to increase significantly and with increasing potential for MDDC to be placed in special measures. A Local Newspaper has this week quoted the Managing Director of 3 Rivers as saying.

     

    Quote: “We were thrilled with the overly positive response we received at St Georges Court last weekend”.  Unquote, this statement made as a result of a special and well-advertised sales event, but it is widely being suggested that only seven people attended this event. Can the Councillor Director of 3 Rivers fully clarify the position?

     

    Question 2

    Even though the St Georges Court property marketing commenced in May 2022 it is being widely suggested that 3 Rivers have sold no properties to date. Can the Councillor Director confirm how many of the 39 properties have had sales contracts fully signed? 

     

     

     

    Question 3

    A press article in the Crediton Courier posted early yesterday including a photograph of a recently dismissed MDDC Cabinet Member states that the New Independent Cabinet are proposing to permanently close the children’s paddling pools at Crediton and Tiverton. Given that it was the very first New Independent Cabinet Meeting yesterday morning and after the article was posted, I question the integrity of this statement.  This as no cabinet decision had been taken. My understanding is that the new cabinet voted for the following.

     

    a)    To keep the paddling pools open and to allocate full funds to do so.  Is this correct?

     

    b)    Additionally, to make serious changes to the previously proposed and excessive car parking charges. Is this correct? 

     

    c)    Furthermore to support the MDDC Full Council recommendation not to approve the proposed 3 Rivers Business Plans is an attempt to limit further bad debt. Is this correct?

     

    Question 4

    At the last Full Council Meeting I asked if the MDDC CEO would implement the Fraud Investigation into 3 Rivers requested by the previous Leader of the Council. A written answer remains outstanding. At this time a simple yes or no answer tonight will do.

     

    Jo Carpenter

    I’m Jo I am a founder of Active Parents Tiverton helping families with 0-5 year olds in Tiverton. I have had that role for 6 years in Tiverton voluntarily just to support people. I am here tonight as a deeply concerned parent and I live in the West Exe area. I hope as well that I can speak for some vulnerable families that I am aware of and I have worked with through my voluntary roles and my role with Action For Children.

     

    I know we’re here to discuss West Exe paddling pool just wanted to point out things to consider, according to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

    155.

    Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct

    To record any interests on agenda matters.

     

    Minutes:

    The following declarations of interest were made:

     

    ·       Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe declared a personal interest that they knew some of the public questioners.

    ·       Cllr S Pugh declared a personal interest that they were part of the campaign to save the paddling pool

    ·       Cllr C J Eginton declared a personal interest that they owned a business based in Tiverton

    ·       Cllr D J Knowles declared a personal interest that they knew some of the residents present

    ·       Cllr B Holdman declared a personal interest that they knew some of the residents present and was part of the car parking campaign.

    ·       Cllr L Cruwys declared a personal interest that they had received contact in regards to the paddling pools.

    ·       Cllr Mrs C P Daw declared a personal interest that they had received contact in regards to the paddling pools.

    ·       Cllr W Burke declared a personal interest that they were part of the paddling pool campaign.

    ·       Cllr R J Dolley declared a personal interest that they knew some of the residents present

    ·       Cllr R L Stanley declared a pecuniary interest that he was a Director of 3 Rivers Developments Ltd.

     

    156.

    Chairman's Announcements

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

     

    Minutes:

    No announcments were made.

    157.

    Revised 2023/24 Budget pdf icon PDF 228 KB

    • View the background to item 157.

    Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

    Additional documents:

    • Appendix 1 - GF Summary v2a 7 March Cabinet, 07/03/2023 Cabinet , item 157. pdf icon PDF 304 KB
    • Appendix 2 - Service Unit Movement 7 March, 07/03/2023 Cabinet , item 157. pdf icon PDF 214 KB
    • Appendix 3 - Council Tax Resolution v2 8 March , item 157. pdf icon PDF 227 KB
    • Appendix 3A - Council Tax Resolution v3a 8 March , item 157. pdf icon PDF 227 KB

    Minutes:

    The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor A Wilce:

     

    That the recommendations 1 to 6 of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 160 be ADOPTED.

     

    The Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:

     

    “That the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call”

     

    A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.

     

    Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors: G Barnell, J Bartlett, J Buczkowski, W Burke, J Cairney, R J Chesterton, S J Clist, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, L Cruwys, Mrs C P Daw, R J Dolley, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, P J Heal, B Holdman, D J Knowles, F W Letch, Ms E J Lloyd, B A Moore, S E Pugh, D F Pugsley, R F Radford, C Slade, Mrs E J Slade, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley, L D Taylor, B J G Warren, A Wilce, Mrs N Woollatt, J Wright, A Wyer.

     

    Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: None

     

    Those ABSTAINING from voting: None

    .

    The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

     

    The Leader MOVED seconded by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt:

     

    That the recommendations 7, 8 and 9 of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 160 be ADOPTED.

     

    Cllr C J Eginton MOVED an AMENDMENT, seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires:

     

    “That we take 7, 8 and 9 individually with 9 being the first one to be voted on so that allows then the members of the public to go home.”

     

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

     

    The Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:

     

    “That the vote in respect of this AMENDMENT shall be by Roll Call”

     

    A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken for recommendation 9 from minute 160 of the Cabinet.

     

    Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors: G Barnell, J Bartlett, J Buczkowski, W Burke, J Cairney, R J Chesterton, S J Clist, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, L Cruwys, Mrs C P Daw, R J Dolley, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, P J Heal, B Holdman, D J Knowles, F W Letch, Ms E J Lloyd, B A Moore, S E Pugh, D F Pugsley, R F Radford, C Slade, Mrs E J Slade, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley, L D Taylor, B J G Warren, Mrs N Woollatt, J Wright, A Wyer.

     

    Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: None

     

    Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillor A Wilce

    .

    The AMENDMENT was declared to have been CARRIED.

     

    Cllr J M Downes MOVED an AMENDMENT, seconded by Cllr C J Clist that:

     

    “We take recommendations 7 & 8 on block”

     

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

     

    The Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:

     

    “That the vote in respect of this AMENDMENT shall be by Roll Call”

     

    A roll call  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

    158.

    National Non Domestic Rates pdf icon PDF 223 KB

    • View the background to item 158.

    Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

    Additional documents:

    • Copy of Final Draft NNDR1 form 23-24 for local authorities v1.1 11-01-23, 07/03/2023 Cabinet , item 158. pdf icon PDF 20 KB

    Minutes:

    The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor D J Knowles:

     

    That the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 159 be ADOPTED.

     

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

     

    Reason for the Decision – This is a statutory function and is a legal requirement. The Council must set its budget annually on the tax base and the NNDR1 projected values.

     

    159.

    2023/24 Capital Strategy and Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 471 KB

    • View the background to item 159.

    Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

    Additional documents:

    • Appendix 1 - 2023_24 Capital Programme, 07/03/2023 Cabinet , item 159. pdf icon PDF 112 KB
    • Appendix 2 - 2023_24 Capital MTFP, 07/03/2023 Cabinet , item 159. pdf icon PDF 208 KB

    Minutes:

    The Leader MOVED seconded by Councillor Mrs C P Daw:

     

    That the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 157 be ADOPTED.

     

    The Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:

     

    “That the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call”

     

    A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.

     

    Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors: G Barnell, J Bartlett, J Buczkowski, W Burke, J Cairney, R J Chesterton, S J Clist, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, L Cruwys, Mrs C P Daw, R J Dolley, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, P J Heal, B Holdman, D J Knowles, F W Letch, Ms E J Lloyd, B A Moore, S E Pugh, D F Pugsley, R F Radford, C Slade, Mrs E J Slade, Mrs M E Squires, L D Taylor, B J G Warren, A Wilce, Mrs N Woollatt, J Wright, A Wyer.

     

    Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors: None

     

    Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors: R L Stanley

    .

    The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

     

    Reason for Decision – There is a need for the Council to set the Capital Programme.

     

    160.

    2023/24 Treasury Management Strategy pdf icon PDF 804 KB

    • View the background to item 160.

    Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

    Minutes:

    The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor A Wilce:

     

    That the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 158 be ADOPTED.

     

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

     

    Reason for Decision – Council approves the Treasury Management Strategy in line with CIPFA guidance.