Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence.

To receive any questions and or statements relating to any items of the Council powers/ duties or which otherwise affects the District and items on the agenda from members of the public.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

(All Members of the Council had been granted a dispensation to allow them to speak and vote in any debate on this matter by virtue of being in receipt of or affected by any changes to the motions:- Women on State Pension Inequality)

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 30 October 2024.

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

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

1.    Motion 605 (Cllr Martin Binks)

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

a)    Mid Devon District Council recognises and notes the huge contribution made by our farmers, growers and the drink industry to the local economy, environment, and rural economies.

b)    Mid Devon District Council commits to further enhancing our partnerships alongside our arable, livestock and dairy farmers to enhance our beautiful countryside.

c)    Mid Devon District Council also commits to supporting our local farmers and growers and the food and drink sector by, where possible, ensuring that all food and drinks provided at council organised events is sourced from local suppliers, to always include meat and dairy as well as plant-based produce.

d)    As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Mid Devon District Council; the Council will consider ways to encourage our residents, where possible, to shop locally, taking full advantage of home-grown. Affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy and plant-based options, thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the economy.

The Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group at its meeting on 26 November 2024 considered the Motion and following discussion, Councillor M Binks in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.7 agreed that the Motion be amended to read:

a) Mid Devon District Council recognises and notes the huge contribution made by our farmers, growers and the food and drink industry to the local economy and environment.

b) Mid Devon District Council commits to further developing our partnerships with key organisations alongside our arable, livestock and dairy farmers to enhance our beautiful countryside.

c) Mid Devon District Council also commits to supporting our local farmers, growers and the food and drink sector by, where possible, ensuring that all food and drink provided at Council organised events is sourced from local suppliers, to include meat and dairy as well as plant based produce. Efforts will also be made to promote locally sourced or produced organic items.

d) That the Council encourages and promotes local suppliers and locally produced products in other events hosted within Mid Devon.

e) As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Mid Devon District Council and fulfilling our biodiversity duty, the Council will consider ways to encourage our residents to shop locally, taking full advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy and plant based options, thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the local economy.

2.    Motion 606 (Cllr S Robinson)

The following motion had been referred to the Community, People and Equalities Policy Development Group for consideration and report:

Motion: Women against State Pension Inequality (WASPI)

Council is asked to note that:

In the 1995 Pensions Act, the Government increased State Pension age for women from 60 to 65, with a further increase to 66 in the 2011 Pensions Act. 

• The change was not properly communicated to 3.8m women born in the 1950s until 2012, giving some only one year’s notice of a  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

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

12 November 2024

(Recommendation to Full Council)

1.    The Grand Western Canal Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

Cabinet RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL

The Grand Western Canal Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Appendix 1 to this report), including proposed amendments to the extent of the Grand Western Canal Conservation Area made through Section 69(2) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (as amended), and used to assist in the process of determining planning applications and for implementing management proposals be formally ADOPTED.

2.    2024/2025 Quarter 2 Treasury Management Report

Cabinet RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL

A continuation of the current policy outlined at paragraphs 4.0 – 4.5 be AGREED.

The changes to the Capital Financing Requirement, Operational Boundaries and Authorised Limits for the current financial year at paragraphs 5.4 – 5.5 be APPROVED.

3.    Tax Base Calculations

Cabinet RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL

That the calculation of the Council’s Tax Base for 2025/26 in accordance with The Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 at 30,732.91 an increase of circa 510.81 Band D equivalent properties from the previous financial year be APPROVED.

That the current collection rate of 97.5% remain the same detailed in Section 2 be APPROVED.

The premium charges in 3.7 & 3.8. The premium element of 3.7 will be used to support additional housing activity/projects to be NOTED.

10 December 2024

28 October 2024

25 November 2024

3 December 2024

28 November 2024

19 November 2024

(Recommendation to Full Council)

1. Appointment of Co-Opted Tenant Members.

Cabinet RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL

a)    The appointment of three Co-Opted Tenant Members to sit on the Homes Policy Development Group until April 2027 be APPROVED;

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing and Health in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Housing Assets and Property for the appointment of each Co-Opted Tenant Member.

c)     Delegated authority be given to the Director of Legal, People & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make the necessary amendments to the constitution, including the amendment to the scheme of Members Allowances to include a special responsibility allowance for this position(s).

3 December 2024

26 November 2024

3 December 2024

4 December 2024

11 December 2024

(Recommendation to Full Council)

1.    DBS Checks for Members

Standards Committee RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL

(a)  DBS checks are mandatory for all Members from May 2027 onwards;

(b)  That any member can voluntarily have a DBS check from January 2025 until May 2027 when they become mandatory;

(c)  The Head of Housing & Health is delegated to make any necessary changes to the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and related DBS policy in conjunction with the Cabinet member for Quality of Living, Equalities and Public Health;

(d)  This Council write to government to ask for enhanced DBS Checks for all Councillors in the future.

2.    Government Consultation – Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at Council meetings.

Standards Committee RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL

(a)  That the Council notes the Government Consultation; and

(b)  The Director of Legal, People & Governance (Monitoring Officer) be delegated to respond to the Government with the Councils response.

To receive a report on Schedule of meeting 2025/2026 from the Director of Legal, People and Governance (Monitoring Officer).

To receive a report on Member Allowances report of the Independent Remuneration Panel from the Director of Legal, People and Governance (Monitoring Officer).

That Council note the background report and agrees to the creation and formulation of the Team Devon Joint Committee as proposed in the Devon County Council Report

To agree the nomination of the Leader of the Council to be the council’s representative on the Team Devon Joint Committee.

To deal with any questions raised pursuant to Procedure Rule 11 not already dealt with during the relevant Committee reports.

To note any decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency.

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

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

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