Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors: A Glover (online), N Bradshaw, S Chenore, L G J Kennedy (online) and N Woollatt.

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.

Sarah Coffin

Yesterday evening at the Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group meeting the public raised serious questions on Anaerobic Digester plant Planning breaches and Climate/Net Zero Policy.

The first question asked the Committee if it would be reconsidering its present proactive policies in support of Climate Change/Global warming and Net Zero. The question made detailed reference to the growing volume of factual/technical evidence and global scientific opinions to the contrary, now openly published globally.  

The next three questions related to the serious breaches of Planning Conditions and lack of Enforcement concerning the farm-led Anaerobic Digesters based in Mid-Devon and what action/measures could be taken to reassert Planning balance and compliance; to ensure delivery of the Environmental/Climate/Net Zero benefits claimed now and in the future.

My questions were related to the AD plants and the use of S106 legal agreements but could equally apply to large contentious Residential/livestock farming and green energy projects. Acceptance of S106 by approved Applicants indicate the intention to abide by all material or mitigating conditions attached to Planning Permission. There is an automatic right of Appeal throughout the timeline to delivery; providing evidence is shown that the condition no longer relevant or unnecessary due to changing circumstances. Perhaps the S106 could be used to remove speculative hoarding and hawking of Planning Approvals by including a completion deadline rather than a start deadline?

The questions are to be answered in writing but initial questioning by Councillors seemed to indicate that any inquiry would need to be costed and there was little confidence that the necessary funds or Council staff would be available to respond to Motion 608.

I therefore ask Members is democracy being throttled. If not how do Members prioritise and what constitutes an acceptable cost?

Paul Elstone

Question 1:

When this Councils Executive Officers made the decision to remove, the Reputation Risk relating to the failure of 3 Rivers from the Corporate Risk Register a commitment was given to provide regular updates to Audit on any remaining reputation risk. This is not happening.  Hence the reason for my questions tonight.

More than a year ago, this Council purchased 5 properties at Haddon Heights in Bampton, from 3 Rivers, for £3.15 million – they are still unsold.

Can it be explained why Seddon’s Estate Agents stopped marketing these properties in July 2025?

Question 2: 

Searches of Right move and Estate Agent websites, such as Greenslade Taylor Hunt  and after a site visit today, show no evidence that the five  unoccupied properties are currently being marketed for sale.

Are the properties currently being marketed and if so who by. If not, why not?

Question 3:

I understand that in August the building company Blu Box were hired to install fire block cladding to the ceilings of the car ports in 6 of the 9 properties - at a cost to the Council of £23,000. 

Surely the fire risk is the same for all the properties, why were only 6 of the 9 properties fixed? 

Question  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

Members were reminded of the need to make declarations of interest were appropriate.

Cllr F J Colthorpe referred to item 13 regarding the appointments to Outside Bodies and declared that she was a Trustee of Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2025 were AGREED as a correct record and were signed by the Chair.

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

The Chair had the following announcements to make:

• On the 15August he attended the V J Day service at the Burma Star memorial, remembering that 80 years ago was the end of hostilities in the Far East. The Service was attended by Una, the daughter of Viscount Slim of Burma.
• In the afternoon of the same day he attended the V J Day children’s party in Crediton. This event was well attended and cake and ice cream were shared as it was a hot day.

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

None received.

To receive any notices of motions.

None received.

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

5 August 2025

2 September 2025

The Leader of the Council presented the reports of the meetings held on 5 August and 2 September 2025.

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

19 July 2025

The Vice- Chair of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the meeting held on the 19July 2025.

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

29 July 2025

The Chair of the Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group presented the report of the meeting held on the 29July 2025.

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

30^th July 2025

20^th August 2025

The Chair of the Planning Committee presented the reports of the meetings held on 30 July and 20 August 2025.

To consider the appointment to outside bodies for Council for the Tiverton Museum and seek one representative to the position available.

The following appointment to an Outside Body was AGREED.

Cllr G DuChesne to be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Tiverton Museum.

Cllr S Robinson MOVED seconded by Cllr J Downes:

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

Those ABSTAINING from voting were Councillor F J Colthorpe.

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

There were no questions raised which were pursuant to Procedure Rule 11 and which had not already been dealt with during the relevant Committee reports.

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

With regard to any decisions taken under Rule 16 (of the Constitution) Special Urgency taken since the last meeting, the Chair 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.

.

Cllr C Harrower asked the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement.

• In regards to why the collection had not taken place for pots and pans in the West-Exe area.

The Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement would follow this question up with the relevant officer.

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

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

·         Cllr G Czapiewski highlighted to Members that he attended the Councillor Advocate Seminar in Exeter and met with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable who presented their Strategies to address crime and victim support.

·         Cllr G Czapiewski highlighted to Members that Tiverton now had Street Marshalls patrolling the area to help tackle Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).

·         Cllr A Stirling highlighted to Members that he had written a letter to South West Water (SWW) about residents’ concerns in regards to the sewage smell in the West-Exe area.

·         Cllr C Harrower thanked the Specialist Lead for Community Safety and Safeguarding for his work in regards to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).

·         Cllr G DuChesne thanked all those that had attended the State of District Debate on the 17 September, there were good discussions about Local Government Reorganisation.

·         Cllr B Holdman highlighted to Members that there was a ‘Meet the Funders’ event on Wednesday 22 October, this was for local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to allow them to network and to meet potential investors and funders.