Agenda and draft minutes

To elect the Chair of the Council for the year 2025/26.

Cllr L Taylor nominated Cllr G Czapiewski for the election as Chair of the District Council for the year 2025/2026: This nomination was seconded by Cllr J Buczkowski.

Upon a vote being taken it was then:

RESOLVED that Cllr G Czapiewski be elected Chair of Mid Devon District Council for the Municipal year 2025/2026.

In accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972, Cllr G Czapiewski then made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The elected Chair proposes a vote of thanks.

The Chair thanked the retiring Chair, Mr Frank Letch MBE for the way in which he had carried out the duties. There had been many tributes to Frank. His wit, resilience and his humanity would set the bar high as an example to others.

There would be a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Friday 16^th May in Crediton.

The Chair to address the Council.

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

The Chair had the following announcements to make:

• He had been awarded the privilege of serving as the Chair of Council and he committed to uphold the high standards of office, supporting and representing the residents of Mid Devon and the Council.
• He looked forward to meeting and working with volunteers who provided invisible support within the communities.
• Today, 80 years ago, the war in Europe was ended by the signing of peace agreements. The following day was declared a public holiday in this Country. Tomorrow, across the land, ceremonies would be held to commemorate this event. Flags would be raised, bells pealed, lanterns lit. Whilst there were celebration tomorrow, we should recognise the events that led to the conflagration and learn from history and strive to ensure that the manipulation of truth and tyranny were not allowed to affect us again. The war continued in the Far East, with service personnel returning from Europe being sent to the Far East, and it was not until Friday 15^th August 1945 that hostilities ended in that theatre. We would also commemorate VJ Day on Friday 15^th August.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors: M Binks, J Downes and M Farrell (online)

Apologies were received from Councillor J Downes as he represented the Council an afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

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

Cllr P Colthorpe referred to item 9 the appointments to outside bodies and declared she was the Chair of INVOLVE – Voluntary Action in Mid Devon.

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 23 April 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 April were AGREED as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To elect the Vice Chair of the Council for the year 2025/26.

Cllr J Lock nominated Cllr S Chenore for the election as Vice- Chair of the District Council for the year 2025/2026: This nomination was seconded by Cllr S Clist.

Upon a vote being taken it was then:

RESOLVED that Cllr S Chenore be elected Vice- Chair of Mid Devon District Council for the Municipal year 2025/2026.

In accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972, Cllr S Chenore then made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

To elect the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee for 2025/26.

Cllr E Buczkowski nominated Cllr S Robinson for election as Chair of Scrutiny. The nomination was seconded by Cllr A Cuddy.

Upon a vote being taken, it was then:

RESOLVED that Cllr S Robinson be elected Chair of Scrutiny for the Municipal Year 2025/2026.

Those voting AGAINST: Councillor: P Colthorpe, B Holdman, R Roberts, and N Woollatt.

It is recommended:

a)    That the Council approve the allocation of seats on Committees and other Council Bodies as shown on the schedule;

b)    That Members be appointed to Committees 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 Members also be appointed to Working Groups and other Internal 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;

d)    That the Chief Executive be authorised to make changes to membership of Committees, Working Groups and other Internal 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.

e)    That the appointments to seats remaining to be filled by ungrouped Members shall be made at this meeting.

The Council had before it a table * setting out the revised allocation of seats on Committees and other Council bodies.

Arising thereon:

Appointment of Committees and Allocation of Seats on Committees and other

Council Bodies

The Chair MOVED:

(a)  That the Council approved the allocation of seats on Committees and other Council Bodies as shown on the schedule;

(b)  That Members be appointed to Committees 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 Members also be appointed to Working Groups and other Internal 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;

(d)  That the Chief Executive be authorised to make changes to membership of Committees, Working Groups and other Internal Bodies as may be notified to him from time to time by the relevant Political Group to which those seats had been allocated by the Council.

(e) That the appointments to seats remaining to be filled by ungrouped Members should be made at this meeting.

Cllr N Woollatt MOVED seconded by Cllr L Taylor to take up the Ungrouped seat on the Standards Committee.

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

Note: *table previously circulated.

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

The following appointments to outside bodies in accordance with the list as follows were AGREED and to remove representation on Tiverton Town Centre Partnership:

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 Chair 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 2025/2026

23 July 2025

24 September 2025

29 October 2025

17 December 2025

18 February 2026

22 April 2026

6 May 2026

The Chair MOVED that the following programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the year 2025/26 be approved:

23 July 2025

24 September 2025

29 October 2025

17 December 2025

18 February 2026

22 April 2026

6 May 2026

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