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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote Meeting

Contact: Sally Gabriel  Member Services Manager

Link: audiorecording

Items
No. Item

166.

Councillor Glanmor Hughes and Honorary Alderman A.V.M Don Attlee (00-07-41)

In memory of Councillor Glanmor Hughes, a minutes silence will take place.

Minutes:

Those in attendance observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Glanmor Hughes and Honorary Alderman A.V.M Don Attlee who had both recently passed away.

 

 

167.

Apologies (00-13-56)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors: Mrs E M Andrews and D R Coren.

168.

Protocol for Remote Meetings (00-14-24) pdf icon PDF 313 KB

To note the protocol for remote meetings.

Minutes:

The protocol for remote meetings was NOTED.

 

169.

Public Question Time (00-14-46)

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

 

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public present.

170.

Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct (00-14-55)

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.

 

 

Minutes:

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

 

 

171.

Minutes (00-15-30) pdf icon PDF 552 KB

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 24 February 2021.

 

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the extraordinary meeting held on 17 March 2021.

 

 

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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

 

The minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 17 March 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

 

 

172.

Chairman's Announcements (00-16-00)

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

 

Minutes:

The Chairman had the following announcements to make:

 

·         He informed the Council of the arrival of travellers on council land in Tiverton, action had been taken and the travellers had been moved on.  He recorded his thanks to officers for their quick response.

·         Following the recent death of The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, he had attended a service at St Peters Church, Tiverton and the Leader had represented the council at a service at Exeter Cathedral.

173.

Petitions (00-19-05)

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

 

Minutes:

There were no petitions presented.

 

174.

Notices of Motions (00-19-18)

 

(1)          Motion 567 – (Councillors: J Wright and Miss E Wainwright, R Dolley and Mrs C P Daw – 18 December 2020)

 

The following motion had been referred to the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report:

 

This Council: 

  • Welcomes and appreciates the work that has gone in to developing our climate action plan? so far, especially in the context of the Covid pandemic, which stretched capacity and resources. 
  • Welcomes the recruitment of a Climate and Sustainability Officer, to develop our work. 
  • Requests that once in place, the new Climate and Sustainability Specialist focuses on further development to our climate action plan, so that it shows the priority actions for the short, mid and longer term, covering the entire period to 2030 and beyond. Plans should outline the strategic actions we need to take to be on track to meet this target. ?
  • Requests that officers explore opportunities to develop the Net Zero Advisory Group, so that it has more authority and responsibility for our climate strategy, and so that the public can access it (e.g. via agendas published online, and being able to attend meetings). 
  • Requests that budget be created and ring-fenced for developing our climate work -- through a mixture of funding bids; income generation; prioritisation; partnerships; and 'spend to save' schemes.

The Environment Policy Development Group at its meeting on 9 March 2021 considered the Motion and following discussion RECOMMENDED to Council that the Motion should be supported with the following amendment to the final bullet point to state:

 

·         Requests that future budgets be created and ring-fenced for developing our climate work - through a mixture of funding bids; income generation; prioritisation; partnerships; and 'spend to save' schemes.

 

(2)          MOTION 571 (COUNCILLOR A WILCE – 5 MARCH 2021)

 

That the Meeting Protocol is updated to specifically state that:

 

1)    The primary objective of the Protocol shall be, so far as is practicable

 

 'to ensure that the rights of members (and members of the public) shall not be diminished simply because the meeting is being held online and not face-to-face'.

 

and

 

2)    The Host of any Meeting is the Chairman and the Officer's role as 'host' is solely administrative.

 

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 567 – (Councillors: J Wright and Miss E Wainwright, R Dolley and Mrs C P Daw – 18 December 2020)

 

The following motion had been referred to the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report:

 

This Council: 

  • Welcomes and appreciates the work that has gone in to developing our climate action plan? so far, especially in the context of the Covid pandemic, which stretched capacity and resources. 
  • Welcomes the recruitment of a Climate and Sustainability Officer, to develop our work. 
  • Requests that once in place, the new Climate and Sustainability Specialist focuses on further development to our climate action plan, so that it shows the priority actions for the short, mid and longer term, covering the entire period to 2030 and beyond. Plans should outline the strategic actions we need to take to be on track to meet this target. ?
  • Requests that officers explore opportunities to develop the Net Zero Advisory Group, so that it has more authority and responsibility for our climate strategy, and so that the public can access it (e.g. via agendas published online, and being able to attend meetings). 
  • Requests that budget be created and ring-fenced for developing our climate work -- through a mixture of funding bids; income generation; prioritisation; partnerships; and 'spend to save' schemes.

The Environment Policy Development Group at its meeting on 9 March 2021 considered the Motion and following discussion RECOMMENDED to Council that the Motion should be supported with the following amendment to the final bullet point to state:

 

·         Requests that future budgets be created and ring-fenced for developing our climate work - through a mixture of funding bids; income generation; prioritisation; partnerships; and 'spend to save' schemes.

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor J Wright sought consent of the Council (which was agreed) to amend the motion to include the word ‘future’ as recommended by the Environment Policy Development Group

 

Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION (as amended) was declared to have been CARRIED.

 

(2)          MOTION 571 (COUNCILLOR A WILCE – 5 MARCH 2021)

 

That the Meeting Protocol is updated to specifically state that:

 

1)    The primary objective of the Protocol shall be, so far as is practicable

 

 'to ensure that the rights of members (and members of the public) shall not be diminished simply because the meeting is being held online and not face-to-face'.

 

and

 

2)    The host of any meeting is the Chairman and the Officer's role as 'host' is solely administrative.

 

The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor A Wilce and seconded by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt.

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council had ruled that the matter be discussed at this meeting.

 

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

 

 

175.

Cabinet - Report of the meeting held on 4 March 2021 (00-33-46) pdf icon PDF 152 KB

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

 

 

(1)         Cabinet

 

-          4 March 2021

-          8 April 2021

 

2)        Scrutiny Committee

 

-                 1 March 2021

-                  15 March 2021

-                 19 April 2021 – to follow

 

(3)       Audit Committee

 

-          23 March 2021

           

(4)       Environment Policy Development Group

 

-                9 March 2021

-                13 April 2021

 

(5)       Homes Policy Development Group

 

-                     16 March 2021

 

(6)       Economy Policy Development Group

 

-                 11 March 2021

 

(7)       Community Policy Development Group

 

-                     23 March 2021

 

(8)       Planning Committee

 

-                10 March 2021

-                31 March 2021

-                14 April 2021

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 March 2021.

 

 

176.

Cabinet - Report of the meeting held on 8 April 2021 (00-34-28)

Minutes:

The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 April 2021.

 

1.    Revised Schedule of Meetings (Minute 362)

 

The Leader MOVED

 

THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 362 be NOTED, this was AGREED.

 

 

 

 

177.

Scrutiny Committee - Report of the meeting held on 1 March 2021 (00-37-05)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 1 March 2021.

 

 

178.

Scrutiny Committee - Report of the meeting held on 15 March 2021 (00-38-04)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 March 2021.

 

 

179.

Scrutiny Committee - Report of the Meeting held on 19 April 2021 (00-38-54)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 April 2021.

 

 

180.

Audit Committee - Report of the Meeting held on 23 March 2021 (00-39-46)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Audit Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 March 2021.

 

 

181.

Environment Policy Development Group - Report of the Meeting held on 9 March 2021 (00-46-36)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Environment Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 9 March 2021.

 

 

182.

Environment Policy Development Group - Report of the meeting held on 13 April 2021 (00-41-16)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Environment Policy Development Group presented the report of the special meeting of the Group held on 13 April 2021.

 

 

183.

Homes Policy Development Group - Report of the Meeting held on 16 March 2021 (00-41-55)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Homes Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 16 March 2021.

 

 

184.

Economy Policy Development Group - Report of the Meeting held on 11 March 2021 (00-42-38)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Economy Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 11 March 2021.

 

185.

Community Policy Development Group - Report of the Meeting held on 23 March 2021 (00-43-56)

Minutes:

The Vice Chairman of the Community Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 23 March 2021.

 

 

 

186.

Planning Committee - Report of the Meeting held on 10 March 2021 (00-45-05)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 March 2021.

 

187.

Planning Committee - Report of the Meeting held on 31 March 2021 (00-45-51)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the special meeting of the Committee held on 31 March 2021.

 

188.

Planning Committee - Report of the Meeting held on 14 April 2021 ((00-46-22)

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 April 2021.

 

189.

Questions in accordance with Procedure Rule 13 (00-47-24)

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

Minutes:

The Chairman had agreed for the following urgent question to be considered under Procedure Rule 13.3.

 

Question to the Leader and Chief Executive

 

Recently Members have received communications from both the Leader and Chief Executive telling us of a major restructuring within the Senior Management Team, Cabinet and possibly also within Departments, together with new posts and responsibilities. These changes are being described by the Leader as heralding a "sea change" both in dealing with a backlog of work and in improving the responsiveness of Council services to service users. We are told that these changes have been planned by members of the Executive over the past four months. However Members have not been given any significant information either about the nature and purpose of the changes or about their cost.

 

We are, therefore, asking:-

 

 "Will the Leader and Chief Executive arrange, as a matter of urgency, a full briefing for Members on the proposed changes including their cost?"

 

The Leader responsed stating that a meeting would be arranged for the following week.

190.

Special Urgency Decisions (00-52-30)

Decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency – since the previous meeting.

 

There have been no such decisions in this period.

 

 

Minutes:

With regard to any decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency taken since the last meeting. The Chairman informed the meeting that no such decisions had been taken in that period

 

191.

Annual Reports of Audit Committee, Scrutiny Committee and the Policy Development Groups (00-52-42) pdf icon PDF 198 KB

To receive the annual reports from the Chairmen of the Audit Committee, Scrutiny Committee and the Policy Development Groups.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

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

 

192.

Questions to Cabinet Members (00-53-08)

Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios.

 

Minutes:

Councillor F W Letch addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services stated that he had been in Tiverton recently and had walked to the St Georges site to see how the construction of the site was taking place, he was amazed at the amount of ‘macarno’ and metal on the site with just 2 men walking around and not a lot of building going on, was it possible for an update to be given on the work taking place on the site and how many workmen were available to work.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.

 

Councillor G Barnell addressing the Leader stated that he had written to him on 6 March requesting an investigation into the possible fraudulent activities involving 3 Rivers.  The Leader had responded stating that he had commenced an investigation into the matter.  He had asked again at the Scrutiny Committee on 15 March when he could expect the outcome of this investigation and the Leader had not replied. On 25 March the Leader had written to Councillor Letch stating that he had not undertaken any investigation and gave no explanation for this other than to describe the different purposes and processes which the company had submitted the development costs for. On 4 April he had written to the Leader again asking about the investigation and had not received a reply.  He asked whether the Leader could give an answer now as to whether he would carry out on investigation into these issues.

 

The Leader responded stating – No.

 

Councillor B Holdman addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration asked about the lack of a Tree Officer and whether a Tree Officer would be appointed?

 

The Cabinet Member stated that Councillor Holdman had asked the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration the previous week and had been supplied with an answer, but that he would try to find out more information and provide Councillor Holdman with a written response.

 

Councillor Barnell again addressing the Leader asked whether he could tell the Council why he had agreed to an investigation and now he was saying he would not progress this.

 

The Leader stated that the original request for an investigation had come from Councillor Barnell and in the course of many meetings there was a response to the question that he had asked.  Councillor Barnell had alluded to Councillor Letch as the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee where I said effectively because the question had been asked that I could only answer further if I had an answer that would satisfy Councillor Barnell and I am not sure that I will ever be in that position.

 

Councillor Holdman added to his question with regard to the Tree Officer stating that because of the public concern around the lack of a Tree Officer, could we please have a public update on that.  The Cabinet Member stated that an update would be provided.

 

Councillor B G J Warren addressing the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 192.

193.

Members Business (1-16-34)

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:

Councillor B A Moore informed the meeting that he was taking part in the ‘Coast to Coast Challenge’ later in the year in aid of 3 charities, MacMillan, the Blue Cross and INVOLVE and requested sponsorship for the event.

 

The Chairman was thanked by various members for his time as Chairman of the Council.

 

Councillor S J Clist wished to identify two local residents in his ward for ongoing community work, that of Stefan Laner and Dr Craig Newman.

 

Councillor F W Letch highlighted the vaccination programme that had taken place in the Crediton area and the work of the voluntary groups and the Town Council that had helped with this.