Venue: Phoenix Chambers, Phoenix House, Tiverton
Contact: Sally Gabriel
Link: audio recording
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Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs E M Andrews, Mrs S Griggs and R Wright. |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Council on 24 February 2016.
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.
Minutes: Subject to an amendment to the third paragraph in Minute 121 with the removal of the word “replace” and the addition of the word “changed”, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
The Chief Executive provided updated information to Minute 123 (5) (Establishment) stating that following the provision of the FTE figures to members in February 2016 and cross referencing with the budgeted FTE, an investigation into the data provided identified an incorrect formula within the reporting tool of Business Objects. This has now been corrected and the report has been re-run to reflect the current situation as at 1 April. The data has now been thoroughly examined and tested and I can now confirm that the figures are as follows:
1 April 2015 = 404FTE 1 April 2016 = 411FTE
A further detailed report with regard to staffing issues will be brought to the Scrutiny Committee in September and Full Council in October by the Head of HR and Development.
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Chairman's Announcements (00-04-45) To receive any announcements which the Chairman of the Council may wish to make.
Minutes: The Chairman had no announcements to make. |
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Public Question Time (00-05-00) To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Minutes: The following public questions were all received in relation to item 6 on the Summons and in particular Motion number 525.
Mr Colin Passey, Chairman of Sampford Peverell Parish Council, stated that at a recent event his council had conducted a small survey of parishioners which had shown a small majority against development at Junction 27 but a significant amount of people who were prepared to look at limited development there, however, there was very little support for major development. My question is, should there be a proposition to make a major change to the Local Plan, would the council consider doing a rather more wide scale survey of people in the area to see what the views actually are?
Karina Balado stated that she lived in Uffculme and had an 11 year old child who was due to start at Uffculme School in September, one of the best schools in the country. She also had the privilege and joy of working at this school which is known for its high academic status and is consistently oversubscribed. As part of her job she stated that she talks to young people every day about what they would like to be or do in the future. Not once had anyone replied, ‘I would really like a low paid, part time or temporary job’. What I do hear often is that they want to go on to further or higher education, into professional careers or farming or other jobs with animals. The allocation states that the land at Junction 27 will be for retail, leisure and tourism, these are not jobs that our young jobs people aspire to. Jobs within these sectors are generally of poor quality, part time, zero hours, seasonal contracts and sit at the bottom of the jobs league table, so my question is, with such jobs as this on offer what reason will my child and others in the area have for coming back to their town to seek employment once their further or higher education is complete?
Judy Downing, representing Burlescombe Parish Council, stated that the area that she lived in was dominated by rock quarries, like Westleigh Quarry as well as sand quarries. I would like to ask what provisions are there in this allocation for transport? We are particularly worried in this area about the amount of heavy traffic and there doesn’t seem to be particular allocation for the transport and changes in roads in this area.
Ken Browse introduced himself as Chairman of Halberton Parish Council as well as Chairman of the Devon Association of Local Councils and Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils. He stated that it is essential that the Local Plan is submitted without delay. As I travel around the country I see a minority of districts that have not got a current up to date plan in place and the consequences are that it is a developer’s paradise and applications submitted to local councils duly consulted and scrutinised ... view the full minutes text for item 143. |
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Petitions (00-42-56) To receive any petitions from members of the public.
Minutes: There were no petitions from members of the public. |
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Notices of Motions (00-43-02)
(1) Motion 524 (Councillor Mrs C Collis 16 February 2016)
The following motion had been referred to the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report:
That the Council supports the removal and cessation of the use of all polystyrene cups and all food containers from all council offices and associated premises.
The use of such containers continues to place non biodegradable waste into landfill sites that will take hundreds of years to degrade and continues to threaten wildlife when digested.
Any and all such containers if used as disposable drinks or food containers should be fully certified as biodegradable or easily recycled within normal recycling parameters.
The Policy Development Group at its meeting on 8 March had considered the proposal and recommended that it be supported.
(2) Motion 525 (Councillors P H D Hare-Scott, N V Davey, C R Slade and Mrs M E Squires – 9 March 2016)
The Council have before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
1. That the outcomes of the Local Plan Review pre-submission consultation and subsequent technical work together with officer recommendations be considered by Cabinet and Council prior to plan submissions and; 2. That the report of these outcomes include the implications to the local plan of making a major modification to the Local Plan Review to allocate land at J27 of the M5 for a leisure/retail/tourism and employment development. 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. Minutes: (1) Motion 524 (Councillor Mrs C Collis 16 February 2016)
The following motion had been referred to the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report:
That the Council supports the removal and cessation of the use of all polystyrene cups and all food containers from all council offices and associated premises.
The use of such containers continues to place non biodegradable waste into landfill sites that will take hundreds of years to degrade and continues to threaten wildlife when digested.
Any and all such containers if used as disposable drinks or food containers should be fully certified as biodegradable or easily recycled within normal recycling parameters.
The Policy Development Group at its meeting on 8 March had considered the proposal and recommended that it be supported.
Upon a vote being taken, the motion was declared to have been CARRIED.
(2) Motion 525 (Councillors P H D Hare-Scott, N V Davey, C R Slade and Mrs M E Squires – 9 March 2016)
The Council have before it a MOTION submitted for the first time: 1. That the outcomes of the Local Plan Review pre-submission consultation and subsequent technical work together with officer recommendations be considered by Cabinet and Council prior to plan submissions and; 2. That the report of these outcomes include the implications to the local plan of making a major modification to the Local Plan Review to allocate land at J27 of the M5 for a leisure/retail/tourism and employment development. In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council had ruled that this Motion be debated at this meeting. MOTION (1) was MOVED by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott and seconded by Councillor Mrs M E Squires. Following debate and upon a vote being taken, the motion (1) was declared to have been CARRIED. MOTION (2) was MOVED by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott and seconded by Councillor C R Slade. Following debate, Councillor Mrs J Roach MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.4: “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 Mrs A R Berry, Mrs J B Binks, D R Coren, N V Davey, W J Daw, R M Deed, J M Downes, C J Eginton, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, T G Hughes, Mrs B M Hull, F W Letch, C R Slade, Mrs E J Slade, J D Squire, Mrs M E Squires, L D Taylor and N A Way. Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors Mrs H Bainbridge, K I Busch, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, Mrs C P Daw, Mrs G Doe, R J Dolley, R Evans, S G Flaws, D J Knowles, B A Moore, R F Radford, Mrs J Roach, F J Rosamond, J L Smith, T W Snow, R L Stanley and Mrs N Woollatt. Those ABSTAINING from voting: ... view the full minutes text for item 145. |
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Cabinet Report - 10 March 2016 (2-15-34) PDF 142 KB To receive and consider the reports, Minutes and recommendations of the Committees as follows:
(1) Cabinet
- 10 March 2016 - 7 April 2016
2) Scrutiny Committee
- 11 March 2016 - 21 March 2016 - 18 April 2016
(3) Audit Committee
- 15 March 2016
(4) Managing the Environment Policy Development Group
- 8 March 2016
(5) Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group
- 25 February 2016 - 22 March 2015
(6) Community Well Being Policy Development Group
- 29 March 2016
(7) Planning Committee
- 9 March 2016 - 6 April 2016 - 20 April 2016
(8) Standards Committee
- 13 April 2016
(9) Regulatory Committee
- 29 February 2016
Additional documents:
Minutes: The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 March.
1. Pay Policy (Minute 159)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor Miss C E L Slade
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 159 be ADOPTED.
Upon a vote being taken, 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 (1) together with responses from the Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services.
Councillor Mrs J Roach asked a supplementary question in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2 (6)(a) stating whether there was a decision notice in relation to the redundancy to which she referred to in her initial question.
The Chief Executive informed the meeting that the answer was no, and he was not sure why there would be a decision notice.
Note: Questions and responses previously circulated, copy attached to minutes. |
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Cabinet Report - 7 April 2016 (2-17-00) Minutes: The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7 April 2016.
The Council had before it a question* submitted by Councillor Mrs J Roach in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2 (1) together with responses from the Cabinet Member for the Planning and Economic Regeneration.
Note: Questions and responses previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
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Scrutiny Committee Report - 11 March (2-18-29) Minutes: The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 March 2016.
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Scrutiny Committee Report 21 March 2016 (2-18-59) Minutes: The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 March 2016.
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Scrutiny Committee Report - 18 April 2016 (2-19-37) Minutes: The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 April 2016.
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Audit Committee Report - 15 March 2016 (2-20-00) Minutes: The Chairman of the Audit Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 March 2016.
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Managing the Environment Policy Development Group - Report - 8 March 2016 (2-20-47) Minutes: The Chairman of the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 8 March 2016.
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Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group - Report 25 February 2016 (2-21-30) Minutes: The Chairman of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 25 February 2016.
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Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group - Report 22 March 2016 (2-22-03) Minutes: The Chairman of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 22 March 2016.
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Community Well-Being Policy Development Group - Report 29 March 2016 (2-22-29) Minutes: The Chairman of the Community Well Being Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 29 March 2016.
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Planning Committee - Report - 9 March 2016 (2-23-16) Minutes: The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 March 2016.
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Planning Committee Report - 6 April 2016 (2-24-12) Minutes: The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 April 2016.
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Planning Committee Report - 20 April 2016 (2-24-55) Minutes: The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 April 2016.
The Chairman allowed Councillor Mrs J Roach to ask a question (as the minutes the meeting had been distributed following the close of written questions): At the Scrutiny Committee 22/2/16 it was agreed that the report re planning policy and procedures would be reviewed the Scrutiny committee following the planning committee in March. Is this still to be the case?
The Chairman of the Planning Committee stated that yes this would be the case.
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Standards Committee Report - 13 April 2016 (2-26-15) Minutes: The Vice Chairman of the Standards Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 April 2016.
(1) Review of the Policy Development Groups (Minute 21)
(i) The Vice Chairman of the Standards Committee MOVED, seconded by Councillor R J Chesterton THAT recommendation (i) as set out in Minute 21 be ADOPTED
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(ii) The Vice Chairman of the Standards Committee MOVED, seconded by Councillor Miss C E L Slade THAT recommendation (ii) as set out in Minute 21 be ADOPTED
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(iii) The Vice Chairman of the Standards Committee MOVED, seconded by Councillor R J Chesterton THAT recommendation (iii) as set out in Minute 21 be ADOPTED
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(iv) The Vice Chairman of the Standards Committee MOVED, seconded by Councillor Mrs C P Daw THAT recommendation (iv) as set out in Minute 21 be ADOPTED
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
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Regulatory Committee Report - 29 February 2016 (2-53-49) Minutes: The Chairman of the Regulatory Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 29 February 2016.
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Questions To deal with any questions raised pursuant to Procedure Rule 13 not already dealt with during the relevant Committee report.
Minutes: There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 13.2.
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Revised Schedule of Meetings 2016/17 (2-54-00) PDF 112 KB To consider a revised Schedule of Meetings if the recommendations of the Standards Committee are approved. Minutes: The Council had before it * a revised schedule of meetings (following the approval of an additional Policy Development Group earlier in the meeting).
The Chairman MOVED, that the revised schedule of meetings for 2016/17 be approved.
Councillors Mrs N Woollatt MOVED an AMENDMENT seconded by Councillor Mrs J Roach that if the proposal for an additional PDG to cover the Economy is approved that this PDG meeting time be set at 5.30pm to enable Members who may have work, study or family commitments to be part of the policy development process.
This PDG is likely to cover topics of interest to the business community, many of whom are busy running their businesses during the day. An evening meeting slot would increase accessibility and potential for engagement from this group as well.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 16.6(a) Councillor Mrs N Woollatt sought leave of the Council to alter her amendment to state “that the revised schedule of meetings be approved and that the Economy PDG meeting time be set at 5.30pm for the initial meeting to allow Members of the Group to decide on the timing of the meeting…”
Following debate and upon a vote being taken, the AMENDMENT was declared to have been CARRIED.
Note: *Revised Schedule previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
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Appointment (3-16-00) Following an interim period in the role, it is recommended that the Head of Housing and Property Services be appointed as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer in accordance with Sections 8 and 35 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.
Minutes: The Council had before it a recommendation regarding the appointment of the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer.
The Chairman MOVED: that following an interim period in the role, it is recommended that the Head of Housing and Property Services be appointed as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer in accordance with Sections 8 and 35 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
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To receive the Annual reports (attached) of the Audit Committee, Scrutiny Committee and the three Policy Development Groups.
Additional documents:
Minutes: The Chairmen of the Audit Committee and the Scrutiny Committee and the Chairmen of the Managing the Environment, Decent and Affordable Homes and Community Well-Being presented their Annual Reports* to the Council.
Note: *Reports previously circulated, copy attached to minutes. |
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Six Monthly Briefing from the Leader (3-17-00) The Leader, Councillor C J Eginton, will address the Council.
Minutes: The Leader of the Council addressed the Council informing Members that:
· The State of the District Debate would take place on Wednesday 25 May at 6.30 on the Phoenix Chamber, two key speakers had been invited to attend: Mr Graham Biggs from SPARSE and Mr Giles Perritt, Assistant Chief Executive, Plymouth City Council. He hoped that as many Members as possible would attend.
· Since the arrival of the new Chief Executive a rigorous tour of key businesses in the district was taking place. It was reported that local business were delighted with the interest that the Local Authority were taking.
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Questions to Cabinet Members (3-19-36) Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios. Minutes: Councillor F J Rosamond asked the Leader to inform Members of the state of play with regard to the devolution process.
The Leader replied stating that monthly meetings continued, but that progress was slow, all authorities remained united and involved in the process. He was very aware that some deals in other areas were having difficulties. |
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Members Business (3-21-44) To receive any statements made and notice of future questions by Members.
Note: the time allowed for this item is limited to 15 minutes
Minutes: 1. Councillor R J Dolley highlighted the success of a local snooker player Sam Baird from the Willand/Halberton area in the recent World Championships. He requested that the Council send him good wishes.
2. Councillor B A Moore stated that at the last Council meeting during a discussion about joining the Planning Committee one particular Member made 4 serious allegations about the Planning Committee and Mid-Devon District Council. (i) That the committee was politically biased in that the Member had been asked to, “be a buffer against the block vote of one political party.” (ii) That the committee was biased against the Member’s Ward. “I have never felt that when I went to the Planning Committee that Silverton has had a fair hearing.” “We (Silverton) are not getting fair hearings.” (iii) That the committee was knowingly letting biased applications be granted. “I have experience in this Council of a fraudulent application going through.” (iv)
That the Council was deliberately
ignoring the Member’s concerns. In respect of the
alleged fraudulent application that, “where I raised it and
nobody took any notice.” Further, that reports have
been made and comments voiced some 2 years ago but that the Member
was “totally ignored.”
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