(1) Motion 515 (Councillor Mrs N Woollatt – 20 January 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report
That this Council:
1. Bans the sale or use of sky lanterns when issuing licences for open-air events
2. Bans the release of sky lanterns from MDDC property
3. Urges Devon County Council to consider a similar ban as at (2.) on its property
The Managing the Environment Policy Development Group at its meeting on 10 March considered the proposal. Following consideration of the views of the Group and in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.6(a) Councillor Mrs N Woollatt has requested that her motion be altered to read as follows:
This Council:
a) Provide advice and guidance to organisers of events and changes could be made to guidance notes to require applicants to provide information regarding the sale and release of lanterns at events;
b) Uses the Licensing regime to promote a voluntary ban on the use of lanterns;
c) Bans the release of sky lanterns from MDDC property;
d) Urges Devon County Council to consider a similar ban as at (c) on its property.
The Policy Development Group had considered the revised proposal and recommended that it be supported.
(2) Motion 514 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 19 January 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group for consideration and report
That this Council considers and investigates the possibility of applying to the Secretary of State to transfer Charlton Lodge to Mid Devon District Council (Localism Act Sect 15) to enable Mid Devon District Council to provide a scheme similar to the Abundant Life Project being run at Dartington.
The Decent and Affordable Homes Group at its meeting on 17 March considered the proposal and recommends that it be supported.
(3) Motion 516 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 22 January 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group for consideration and report
“That this Council resolves to investigate the possibility of acquiring Charlton Lodge, Orchard Lea and Bampton residential Homes in order to meet unmet housing needs in this district.”
The Decent and Affordable Homes Group at its meeting on 17 March considered the proposal and recommends that it be supported.
(4) Motion 518 (Councillor M D Binks – 24 February 2015)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council wishes to express its concerns to the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, about the slow rate of installation of High Speed Broadband to large rural areas of Mid Devon, as without this everyday need, especially to farmers and other rural businesses, our local economy will not flourish and rural isolation will not be reduced.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this Motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting.
(5) Motion 519 (Councillor M D Binks – 24 February 2015)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council wishes to express apprehension about the consultation process regarding the future of Crediton Hospital, and would like to relay those concerns to the Minister for Health, hopefully ensuring that he will rigorously scrutinise all the evidence given in that consultation process, therefore ensuring that a fair and equitable decision is arrived at.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this Motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting.
(6) Motion 520 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 March 2015)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for DCLG to ask that when setting out national planning policy the following issues are taken in to consideration.
There is evidence that developers are now buying up old properties in villages and seeking permission to redevelop those sites to obtain a maximum return. By demolishing the existing building and replacing it with more than one house, or alternatively a much larger house, they are creating major problems for existing neighbours.
The first concern is building too close to boundary walls or undermining those walls. It appears that any redress in these cases is via the Party Wall Act and has to be dealt with by a civil action. This entails the neighbour taking legal action which can be long drawn out and costly to fund just to protect their property. If they do not have the funds then they cannot take action. Many people are reluctant to take legal action or are unaware that they could take this route.
The second concern is about rights of access.
It is not uncommon in villages for access to have been taken for granted over hundreds of years, with no thought given to ensuring it was protected in law. Development of the land can interfere with historic rights and those who enjoyed access have to resort to civil action at their own expense to maintain their rights. Some of those properties have been passed down through family members without the access rights being formalised.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Cabinet.
Minutes:
(1) Motion 515 (Councillor Mrs N Woollatt – 20 January 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report:
That this Council:
1. Bans the sale or use of sky lanterns when issuing licences for open-air events
2. Bans the release of sky lanterns from MDDC property
3. Urges Devon County Council to consider a similar ban as at (2.) on its property
The Managing the Environment Policy Development Group at its meeting on 10 March considered the proposal. Following consideration of the views of the Group and in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.6(a) Councillor Mrs N Woollatt had requested that her motion be altered to read as follows:
This Council:
a) Provide advice and guidance to organisers of events and changes could be made to guidance notes to require applicants to provide information regarding the sale and release of lanterns at events;
b) Uses the Licensing regime to promote a voluntary ban on the use of lanterns;
c) Bans the release of sky lanterns from MDDC property;
d) Urges Devon County Council to consider a similar ban as at (c) on its property.
The Policy Development Group had considered the revised proposal and recommended that it be supported.
Following discussion, and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(2) Motion 514 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 19 January 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group for consideration and report:
That this Council considers and investigates the possibility of applying to the Secretary of State to transfer Charlton Lodge to Mid Devon District Council (Localism Act Sect 15) to enable Mid Devon District Council to provide a scheme similar to the Abundant Life Project being run at Dartington.
The Decent and Affordable Homes Group at its meeting on 17 March considered the proposal and had recommended that it be supported.
Following debate, Councillor Mrs J Roach MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 18.4:
“THAT the vote in respect of this item shall be by Roll Call”.
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors Mrs H Bainbridge, M D Binks, E J Berry, Mrs D L Brandon, R J Chesterton, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, W J Daw, R M Deed, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, A V G Griffiths, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, Mrs L J Holloway, T G Hughes, Mrs B M Hull, D J Knowles, M R Lee, M A Lucas, E G Luxton, R F Radford, Mrs J Roach, F J Rosamond, C R Slade, T W Snow, J D Squire, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley, Mrs M E Turner, N A Way, P F Williams, K D Wilson, Mrs N Woollatt and R Wright.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: None.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Council had before it questions* submitted by Councillor Mrs J Roach in accordance with Procedure Rule 12.2(1) together with a response from the Chairman of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group.
Notes:
i) Questions and responses circulated at the meeting, copy attached to signed minutes;
ii) Councillor Mrs F J Colthorpe declared a personal interest as two of the homes mentioned were in her County Division and she had received correspondence regarding this matter;
iii) Councillors E J Berry, R F Radford, Mrs M E Squires and N A Way declared personal interests as they had received correspondence regarding this matter.
(3) Motion 516 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 22 January 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group for consideration and report
“That this Council resolves to investigate the possibility of acquiring Charlton Lodge, Orchard Lea and Bampton residential Homes in order to meet unmet housing needs in this district.”
The Decent and Affordable Homes Group at its meeting on 17 March considered the proposal and had recommended that it be supported.
Following debate, Councillor Mrs J Roach MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 18.4:
“THAT the vote in respect of this item shall be by Roll Call”.
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors Mrs H Bainbridge, M D Binks, E J Berry, Mrs D L Brandon, R J Chesterton, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, W J Daw, R M Deed, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, A V G Griffiths, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, Mrs L J Holloway, T G Hughes, Mrs B M Hull, D J Knowles, M R Lee, M A Lucas, E G Luxton, R F Radford, Mrs J Roach, F J Rosamond, C R Slade, T W Snow, J D Squire, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley, Mrs M E Turner, N A Way, P F Williams, K D Wilson, Mrs N Woollatt and R Wright.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: None.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Council had before it questions* submitted by Councillor Mrs J Roach in accordance with Procedure Rule 12.2(1) together with a response from the Chairman of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Notes:
i) Questions and responses circulated at the meeting, copy attached to signed minutes;
ii) Councillor Mrs F J Colthorpe declared a personal interest as two of the homes mentioned were in her County Division and she had received correspondence regarding this matter;
iii) Councillors E J Berry, R F Radford, Mrs M E Squires and N A Way declared personal interests as they had received correspondence regarding this matter.
iv) Councillor R L Stanley declared a personal interest as he had been in discussions regarding Barnfield;
v) Councillor K D Wilson declared a personal interest as he had worked at Orchard Lea and Barnfield.
(4) Motion 518 (Councillor M D Binks – 24 February 2015)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council wishes to express its concerns to the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, about the slow rate of installation of High Speed Broadband to large rural areas of Mid Devon, as without this everyday need, especially to farmers and other rural businesses, our local economy will not flourish and rural isolation will not be reduced.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor M D Binks and seconded by Councillor W J Daw.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council had ruled that this Motion to be dealt with at this meeting.
Following debate, and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Note:Councillor K D Wilson requested that his abstention from voting be recorded.
(5) Motion 519 (Councillor M D Binks – 24 February 2015)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council wishes to express apprehension about the consultation process regarding the future of Crediton Hospital, and would like to relay those concerns to the Minister for Health, hopefully ensuring that he will rigorously scrutinise all the evidence given in that consultation process, therefore ensuring that a fair and equitable decision is arrived at.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this Motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor M D Binks and seconded by Councillor C R Slade.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.6(a) Councillor M D Binks requested that his motion be altered to read as follows:
That this Council wishes to express apprehension about the consultation process regarding the future of Crediton Hospital, and would like to relay those concerns to the Secretary of State for Health, ensuring that he will rigorously scrutinise all the evidence given in that consultation process, therefore ensuring that a fair and equitable decision is arrived at.
Following debate, and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(6) Motion 520 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 March 2015)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for DCLG to ask that when setting out national planning policy the following issues are taken in to consideration.
There is evidence that developers are now buying up old properties in villages and seeking permission to redevelop those sites to obtain a maximum return. By demolishing the existing building and replacing it with more than one house, or alternatively a much larger house, they are creating major problems for existing neighbours.
The first concern is building too close to boundary walls or undermining those walls. It appears that any redress in these cases is via the Party Wall Act and has to be dealt with by a civil action. This entails the neighbour taking legal action which can be long drawn out and costly to fund just to protect their property. If they do not have the funds then they cannot take action. Many people are reluctant to take legal action or are unaware that they could take this route.
The second concern is about rights of access.
It is not uncommon in villages for access to have been taken for granted over hundreds of years, with no thought given to ensuring it was protected in law. Development of the land can interfere with historic rights and those who enjoyed access have to resort to civil action at their own expense to maintain their rights. Some of those properties have been passed down through family members without the access rights being formalised.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor Mrs J Roach and seconded by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council had ruled that this MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Cabinet.