Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors: G Barnell, R J Chesterton, Mrs F J Colthorpe and A White.

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

The following question was received from Cllr Paul Elstone:

Item 9 on the agenda - Reports Cabinet meeting 09/08/2020. Public Question Time. On Page 31 of your papers, you will see that I asked questions which were not read out but would be 'dealt with after this meeting'.  I have received some 'so called' answers. Answers which I intend fully responding to including providing written verification in support of the assertions I made but which were fully dismissed in the answers received,  but I wish to know:   Why were my questions and the answers not published with the Minutes of this meeting - as per the Constitution and an assurance from Committee Services?

The Leader responded by stating that Cllr Elstone had received a reply to the questions he had submitted for the Cabinet meeting on 9 August but that since the questions were not read out at the meeting, the replies were not included with the minutes.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

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

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 6 July 2022.

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.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to an amendment that Cllr J Buczkowski be included as having attended the meeting.

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

The Chairman had the following announcements to make:

1.    He had attended the Exeter City Council Lammas Fair on 7^th July as Chairman of the Council.

2.    He had also attended the Burma Star Commemoration in Phoenix Lane, Tiverton on 15^th August.

3.    He informed Council that he had received a letter of thanks from a member of the public regarding ‘the helpful and friendly staff’ at the Exe Valley Leisure Centre.

4.    He introduced Andrew Seaman, the new Member Services Manager.

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

There were no petitions presented.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive. The Council is required to have a Monitoring Officer at all times.  This report makes recommendations for the appointment of an interim Monitoring Officer from 31 August 2022 until a permanent  appointment can be made.

Council had before it a report * from the Chief Executive regarding the need for it to have a Monitoring Officer at all times. Since the previous Monitoring Officer had now left the authority the report made recommendations for the appointment of an interim Monitoring Officer from 31 August 2022 until a permanent appointment could be made.

RESOLVED that Maria de Leiburne be appointed as interim Monitoring Officer from 31 August 2022 until a new permanent Monitoring Officer is recruited and commences employment.

(Proposed by Cllr B Deed and seconded by Cllr C Slade)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the minutes.

1.            MOTION 579 (COUNCILLOR MRS N WOOLLATT – 8 AUGUST 2022)

The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

Motion for council:

That this council writes to Stagecoach, Devon County Council, the Traffic Commissioner and our MPs to:

a) express its concern at the recent cuts to bus services in the District and changes to routes which appear to have been put in place without having had due regard to equality considerations. Further asks for a review of the changes to take into account equalities impacts and seek reinstatement of route sections which have been removed where the removal is found to have had a detrimental effect on some protected groups of people. For example, many residents in Cullompton no longer have nearby access to the bus service to and from Exeter and can only access this route from the town centre, making this service particularly difficult to access for elderly and disabled residents and young people travelling to schools and colleges.

b) further expresses its disappointment that since the reduced timetable has been implemented, despite the reductions supposedly having been made to improve the reliability of Stagecoach services, services have continued to be cancelled at an unacceptable level leaving our residents unable to rely on travelling by bus. Residents have been left unable to get to and from work and health appointments on time and even on occasion left stranded. There is concern if this pattern of cancellations continues that young people who rely on the bus service to travel to and from school and college will also have their journeys disrupted.

c) states that the current service being provided is not fit for purpose and asks what can be done to improve this and when our residents can expect to see a bus service that serves their needs and is reliable.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) be dealt with at this meeting.

1.            MOTION 579 (COUNCILLOR MRS N WOOLLATT – 8 AUGUST 2022)

The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:

Motion for council:

That this council writes to Stagecoach, Devon County Council, the Traffic Commissioner and our MPs to:

a) express its concern at the recent cuts to bus services in the District and changes to routes which appear to have been put in place without having had due regard to equality considerations. Further asks for a review of the changes to take into account equalities impacts and seek reinstatement of route sections which have been removed where the removal is found to have had a detrimental effect on some protected groups of people. For example, many residents in Cullompton no longer have nearby access to the bus service to and from Exeter and can only access this route from the town centre, making this service particularly difficult to access for elderly and disabled residents and young people travelling to schools and colleges.

b) further expresses its disappointment that since the reduced timetable has been implemented, despite the reductions supposedly having been made to improve the reliability of Stagecoach services, services have continued to be cancelled at an unacceptable level leaving our residents unable to rely on travelling by bus. Residents have been left unable to get to and from work and health appointments on time and even on occasion left stranded. There is concern if this pattern of cancellations continues that young people who rely on the bus service to travel to and from school and college will also have their journeys disrupted.

c) states that the current service being provided is not fit for purpose and asks what can be done to improve this and when our residents can expect to see a bus service that serves their needs and is reliable.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council had decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) be dealt with at this meeting.

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

Consideration was given to:

·         Daily cancellations of bus services across the district.

·         Timetable issues, meaning connections were missed, or long waiting times.

·         The effects of a poor service on students trying to get to school or college and on the elderly.

·         As a result of issues raised by Devon County Council’s  Exeter Highways and Transport Orders Committee, Cabinet and full Council, Stagecoach Devon had been called by the Traffic Commissioner to a Public Inquiry on 27^th October 2022. The Traffic Commissioner had requested that a body of evidence be brought forward to inform their decision. As such the public were encouraged to submit comments and complaints to devonbus@devon.gov.uk by 6^th October 2022.

·         A shortage of bus drivers.

Having listened to the debate Cllr Woollatt wished to amend her Motion by including an additional request that her Motion also include the following:

“There be some public communication to let the residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

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

1.    Cabinet

-       12^th July 2022

-       9^th August 2022

2.    Scrutiny Committee

-       25^th July 2022

3.    Audit Committee

-       2^nd August 2022

4.    Environment PDG

-       19^th July 2022

5.    Homes PDG

-       26^th July 2022

6.    Community PDG

-       2^nd August 2022

7.    Planning Committee

-       13^th July 2022

-       27^th July 2022 (special)

-       10^th August 2022

-       24^th August 2022 (special – to follow)

8.    Licensing Committee

-       26^th August 2022 (to follow)

9.    Regulatory Committee

-       26^th August 2022 (to follow)

The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 July 2022.

The Leader presented the report of the meeting held on 9 August 2022.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee on 25 July 2022.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 August 2022.

The Chairman of the Environment Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 19 July 2022.

The Chairman of the Homes Policy Development presented the report of the meeting of the Group held on 26 July 2022.

The Chairman of the Community Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting held on 2 August 2022.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 July 2022.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 July 2022.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 August 2022.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 24 August 2022.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee presented the report of the meeting on 26 August 2022.

The Chairman of the Regulatory Committee presented a report of the meeting held on 26 August 2022.

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

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 13.2.

To note any decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency – no decisions of this kind have been made since the last meeting.

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.

To receive answers from the Cabinet Members to questions on their portfolios from other Members.

Councillor F Letch addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services stated that he was very concerned about the number of empty properties in his ward. A particular property now had curtains in the window but had not been advertised through Devon Home Choice. Why? The Cabinet Member replied that he did not know why but that he would find out and get back to him.

Councillor F Letch then asked the Leader why Policy Development Groups weren’t making recommendations or developing policy. It was explained that Policy Development Groups made recommendations to the Cabinet all the time. It was then up to the Cabinet to resolve them or make recommendations to full Council.

Cllr B Evans addressed the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration and stated that in light of the recent notification of an appeal decision loss, in respect of Appeal Decision 20/01263/MFUL Allotments, Tumbling Fields Lane Tiverton, I would like to ask:

1, How many appeals have the Authority lost within the past three years (the entirety of this current administration) please?

2, How many of these are a result of an appeal that followed a refusal by the planning committee that was originally recommended to be granted by officers?

3, How much have MDDC paid out in respect of the above lost appeals that have resulted in costs being awarded against MDDC and specifically can I have an “estimate” of probable costs against the full costs awarded against 20/01263/MFUL Allotments, Tumbling Fields Lane Tiverton?

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration had sent his apologies to the meeting, however, the Leader responded on his behalf:

Question one:

Question two:

Question three:

Full confirmation of costs would be circulated once known.

Cllr Evans addressed the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services and stated that he was very concerned about the lack of progress on social housing provision for sites that already had planning permission. He was also concerned about the absence of any additional applications in the past four months and the lack of member information on possible funding opportunities from Homes England (HE). He specifically asked the following questions and in each case the Cabinet Member responded:

a)    Why has there been no visible progress made at either the Cullompton or Tiverton modular build sites?

Answer: These are both modular schemes with off-site (factory) construction of the units. Consequently as modern methods of construction projects the activity will be over a significantly condensed period than would normally be the case with traditional build schemes and will happen closer to the end of the project. Nonetheless significant progress has been made regarding each site. A web cam has also been commissioned for the St Andrews scheme which will enable progress to be viewed remotely.

b)    When can members and more importantly the residents of Mid Devon expect each site to be completed and residents in situ?

Answer: Quarter 4, 2023/2024 for both schemes.

c)    When can members expect to see  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To receive any statements made and notice of future questions by Members.

Note:  the time allowed for this item is limited to 15 minutes.

All Members congratulated Cllr J Cairney on his recent marriage.

Cllr S Clist drew Members attention to Back British Farming 2022 which it was confirmed would be held on 14 September 2022. This would focus on the importance of agriculture to the British economy.

Cllr B A Moore referred to the importance of the work of ‘Involve’ in supporting communities, however, they were looking for trustees and he urged Members, or people they knew, to consider the role.

Cllr N V Davey thanked officers for how they had dealt with an illegal encampment in Amory Park. An Enforcement Order had been served and a great deal of cleaning up had been needed by Mid Devon Officers. Cllr C Slade and Cllr D J Knowles also expressed their thanks to the team as fellow Ward Members.

Cllr C Slade stated that the Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life also needed trustees. He explained that there were exciting plans for the future and he thanked Cllr F J Colthorpe for her contributions thus far.