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Decisions

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Decisions published

17/05/2022 - Cullompton HSHAZ - Higher Bullring Public Realm Enhancement (00-16-05) ref: 1046    Implemented

For consideration prior to consultation.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 17/05/2022 - Cabinet

Decision published: 23/05/2022

Effective from: 25/05/2022

Decision:

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Director of Place requesting approval of the Cullompton Higher Bullring public realm enhancement concept design for public consultation, and to handover to Devon County Council for design development and implementation. 

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report providing some background information on the award of funding for the scheme and the stage 1 public consultation process that had already taken place, the conclusion of which had demonstrated strong support for the public realm enhancements around the Higher Bullring with 89% stating that this area needed improvement. Consultants had been appointed and had developed a concept design focused on the Higher Bullring area alongside Historic England and highway officers from Devon County Council, which could be delivered in advance of the relief road.  He added that the key considerations in the course of the design included the War Memorial, the street trees, the bus stop, facilitation of loading and unloading and the parking in the area.

 

The Member informed the meeting that the proposal had set out the creation of an enhanced, expanded and decluttered public realm focused around a new square framing the War Memorial and providing a central focus.  He stated that if the recommendations were approved it would mark another important milestone for Cullompton and would demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to delivering significant improvements for the town and its residents.

 

In response to questions raised in public question time, the Cabinet Member stated that with regard to the consultation:

 

Recommendation 1 – this was to approve the concept design for public consultation.

 

Recommendation 2- this was to delegate authority to the Director of Place (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration) to finalise the material and arrangements for public consultation.

 

Recommendation 3 – this was to instruct DCC to take forward the project through to implementation which would ensure timely delivery of their detailed design work and also ensured that they were fully instructed on the project. The project programme was, and always had been, very challenging given the limited funding window from Historic England. Achieving the sign-off here to instruct DCC saved valuable programme time and made delivery within the funding period possible.

 

Recommendation 4 – this was to delegate authority to the Director of Place (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration) to work with DCC to build in the views and public consultation responses into the design. 

 

The consultation would be meaningful, but the challenging project programme and the limited available window of project funding was a key consideration which had to also be balanced.

 

The consultation would focus, where it could add maximum value allowing for programme constraints. Officers from MDDC and DCC would work hard to ensure that consultation findings were incorporated into the final detailed design wherever practicable. 

 

With regard to the question about a parking bay for emergency vehicles, he stated that no disabled parking spaces from the eastern side of the Higher Bullring would be removed, with four disabled spaces shown on the concept design as was currently the case. The spaces had been rearranged slightly to reflect the minor relocation of the existing pedestrian island, which needed to be moved very slightly to continue to allow adequate vehicle turning movements.

 

In terms of the provision of emergency vehicle parking, it was understood that adequate provision was considered to currently exist for this. This would also form part of the DCC consultation into the Traffic Orders, whereby emergency services would be consulted as part of this process and findings from this would be considered appropriately.

 

Referring to the bus bay being removed, the Member stated that through the course of their work the project team had sought to ensure that existing traffic flows and vehicle movements were maintained. Sufficient road widths existed to enable vehicles to pass, including when buses were using the layby. DCC had been involved in this design work and were comfortable at this stage that the plans showed sufficient space for passing and the movement of traffic.

 

With regard to the installation of cameras during the consultation period: Traffic data was available from the Relief Road planning application, and this had been considered by the project team in the development of the proposals, along with consideration of the type of vehicles using the High Street. DCC had stated that contemporary traffic data would be gathered at an appropriate time during the detailed design phase to ensure that the project benefits from up to date and accurate data.

 

With regard to whether the traders had been involved in the initial consultation, the Cabinet Member stated that the project team had hosted a Town Centre Business Open Evening. All businesses in the town centre were invited to this, with flyers delivered and a press release issued.

 

Consultants at this event presented the public realm enhancement project, and were able to seek feedback from businesses attending on the developing ideas.

A total of 8 town centre businesses attended this session. Overall feedback from the event was generally in agreement with the emerging themes presented, including support for a de-cluttered streetscape, high quality materials and more space around the War Memorial. 

 

In terms of parking provision, survey work and analysis by the project team had concluded that sufficient parking existed elsewhere in the town centre to accommodate the removal of the ten spaces.

 

With regard to the relief road and the impact of development to the west on the local infrastructure, he stated that the project was following a tight programme, with construction anticipated from spring 2023 for around 6 months. This may mean that it would proceed ahead of any confirmed start date for the Relief Road. The overarching project concluded in March 2024 when the funding window closed, and so it was important to start as soon as feasible. The concept design had been developed, in consultation with DCC, in such a way that it could be delivered as a standalone phase in advance of the Relief Road opening, while also allowing a planned and phased approach to future enhancement works should circumstances allow. Officers from MDDC would continue to work with DCC to ensure that disruption to Cullompton was minimised in the delivery of this and other infrastructure projects around the town.

 

With regard to the access for traders to the Higher Bullring, the Cabinet Member was able to report that the design had been created so that the traders could drive onto and off of the area.

 

Consideration was given to:

 

·         The traffic issues within the town to include any closure of the motorway

·         The timing of the creation of the relief road

·         Parking issues in the town and the impact of the scheme on shop keepers and pedestrians; 10 parking spaces would be removed to deliver quality space in the area

·         Whether the responses from the second consultation should return to Cabinet for further consideration and how this would impact on the timescales for the scheme

·         Presentations that had been received by the Town Council who were broadly supportive of the scheme and who had raised some points of discussion regarding detail that could be picked up during the Stage 2 consulation such as planting

·         Air quality in the town and whether the scheme would improve those issues

·         Officers agreed to consider further the space for ambulance parking near to Clark’s Court

 

RESOLVED that:

 

     i)        The concept public realm enhancement design (developed as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone project) for the Higher Bullring area of Cullompton, as set out in Appendix 3, be approved for public consultation;

 

    ii)         Delegated authority be given to the Director of Place (in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Planning and Economic Regeneration) to finalise the material and arrangements for public consultation;

 

   iii)        Approval is given to instruct Devon County Council to take forward the project through to implementation, to facilitate timely delivery of their design development work, informed by the concept design, and;

 

   iv)        Delegated authority is given to the Director of Place (in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Planning and Economic Regeneration) to work with Devon County Council to incorporate views resulting from public consultation (to relate to layout and design of street furniture such as benches, planters and cycle parking), where possible.

 

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

 

Reason for the decision: there is a need for the scheme to be approved for a further public consultation process.

 

Note: *Report previously circulated copy attached to minutes.

 

 

Lead officer: Richard Marsh


17/05/2022 - North West Cullompton Masterplan (00-57-56) ref: 1047    Implemented

To consider a revised masterplan for North West Cullompton

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 17/05/2022 - Cabinet

Decision published: 23/05/2022

Effective from: 25/05/2022

Decision:

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Director of Place seeking approval for public consultation on the draft updated NW Cullompton Masterplan SPD.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report referring to Policy CU1 of the Mid Devon Local Plan which allocated 100 hectares of land at North West Cullompton for 1350 homes, infrastructure and community facilities.  The initial SPD had been adopted in 2016 but was now considered to be out of date with 3 additional land parcels being allocated in the new Local Plan.  He informed the meeting that 3 planning permissions had been granted on the land totalling 600 homes. Feedback from the consultation would help shape the final version of the Masterplan SPD which when adopted would support the local plan and guide development of the proposed allocation.

Consideration was given to the views of one of the local Ward Members with regard to the Cullompton Neighbourhood Plan, Policy CU1 of the Local Plan and the CCA management plan with regard to the transport infrastructure, the number of houses to be occupied before the spine road was established and the impact of construction traffic accessing the site via Tiverton Road.  It was felt that the views of local residents were being ignored.

Officers provided a response stating that 3 applications had already been approved; Policies CU1-CU6 of the Local Plan required the spine road to be available before the occupation of 500 dwellings, planning permission had already been granted for 600 dwellings.  The S106 agreement for the Persimmon parcel (one sector of the spine road) had a trigger of 100 dwellings with the Barratt/David Wilson Homes agreement stating that the remainder of the spine road to be completed before the occupation of 100 dwellings. Construction traffic would initially have to travel via Tiverton Road until the trigger had been met, and a Construction Management Plan submitted with the planning applications would be consulted on to manage the traffic impacts.

It was therefore: RESOLVED that:

i)                That the document at Appendix 1 is approved for public consultation.

 

ii)               That delegated authority be given to the Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to finalise the consultation material.

 

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr B A Moore)

Reason for the decision: the existing adopted masterplan is out of date, there is a need for a new masterplan to be approved for public consultation.

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

Lead officer: Richard Marsh


11/05/2022 - Honorary Alderman: Frank James Rosamond ref: 1045    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

The Council was reminded that the meeting had been specially convened, in accordance with the provisions of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, for the purpose of considering Motions to confer the title of Honorary Alderman upon: Mr F J Rosamond, Mr P H D Hare-Scott, Mr N A Way, Mrs B M Hull and Mrs E M Andrews:

 

(1)        Honorary Alderman: Frank James Rosamond

 

Upon a Motion proposed by Councillor D J Knowles and seconded by Councillor R M Deed it was:

 

RESOLVED THAT , in exercise of powers conferred by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mid Devon District Council do HEREBY CONFER upon FRANK JAMES ROSAMOND the title of HONORARY ALDERMAN of the District, in recognition of the eminent services which he rendered as a Member of this Council from May 1999 to May 2019 recording particularly the Council’s appreciation of his service as Chairman of the Council from May 2009 to May 2011; Vice Chairman of the Council from May 2007 to May 2009; as a member of the Scrutiny Committee from November 2007 until May 2019; Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee from May 2011 to May 2013 and from 2015 to 2019; as a member of the Economy Policy Development Group from May 2016 to May 2019; as a member of the Standards Committee from May 2015 to May 2016; as Vice Chairman of the Audit Committee from May 2013 to May 2015; as a member of the Licensing and Regulatory Committees from May 2003 to May 2011 and Chairman of both Committees from May 2003 to May 2005; as a member of the Resources Scrutiny Committee from May 2003 to November 2007 and Chairman of the Committee from May 2005 to May 2007; Chairman of the Culm Area Committee from May 2002 to May 2003; as a member of the Resources Committee from May 2002 to May 2003; as a member of the Environment and Leisure Committee from June 1999 to May 2002 and Chairman of that Committee from May 2001 to May 2002; as a member of the Personnel Sub Committee from May 2000 to April 2001; and as a representative of the Council upon a number of other bodies and organisations, particularly the Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership.

 

AND THAT, in due course, a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed and sealed with the common seal of the District Council be presented to Mr Frank James Rosamond.

 

(2)        Honorary Alderman Peter Henry Duncan Hare-Scott

 

Upon a Motion proposed by Councillor C J Eginton and seconded by Councillor Mrs M E Squires it was:

 

RESOLVED THAT: in exercise of powers conferred by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mid Devon District Council do HEREBY CONFER upon PETER HENRY DUNCAN HARE-SCOTT the title of HONORARY ALDERMAN of the District, in recognition of the eminent services which he rendered as a Member of this Council from May 2007 to May 2019 recording particularly the Council’s appreciation of his service as Leader of the Council from May 2008 to November 2014, as Cabinet Member for Finance from November 2007 to May 2008 and from November 2014 to May 2019, as a member of the Licensing Committee and the Regulatory Committee from May 2007 to May 2008 and from May 2014 to May 2018, as a member of the Personnel Panel from May 2007 to May 2011, as a member of the Resources Committee from May 2007 to November 2007, as Vice Chairman of the Community Services Scrutiny Panel from May 2007 to November 2007; as a member of the Finance and Personnel Sub Committee from May 2007 to November 2007 and as a representative of the Council upon a number of other bodies and organisations.

 

AND THAT, in due course, a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed and sealed with the common seal of the District Council be presented to Mr Peter Henry Duncan Hare-Scott.

 

(3)        Honorary Alderman Nicholas Andrew Way

 

Upon a Motion proposed by Councillor L D Taylor and seconded by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt it was:

 

RESOLVED THAT: in exercise of powers conferred by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mid Devon District Council do HEREBY CONFER upon NICHOLAS ANDREW WAY the title of HONORARY ALDERMAN of the District, in recognition of the eminent services which he rendered as a Member of this Council from May 1995 to May 2019 recording particularly the Council’s appreciation of his service as a member of the Scrutiny Committee from May 2010 to May 2019, and Chairman of the Committee from May 2010 to May 2011 and Vice Chairman of the Committee from May 2011 to May 2013; also as a member of a host of working groups formed by the Scrutiny Committee; as a member of the Licensing Committee from May 2003 to May 2005; as a member of the Regulatory Committee from May 2003 to May 2005; as a member of the Community Services Committee from May 2002 to September 2007; as a member of the Joint Resources and Community Services Committee from May 2003 to September 2007; as a member of the Housing and Health Committee from May 1995 to April 2007; as a member of the Creedy Area Committee from May 2002 to May 2003 and as a representative of the Council upon a number of other bodies and organisations.

 

AND THAT, in due course, a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed and sealed with the common seal of the District Council be presented to Mr Nicholas Andrew Way.

 

(4)        Honorary Alderman Brenda Mary Hull

 

Upon a Motion proposed by Councillor R J Chesterton and seconded by Councillor Mrs E J Slade it was:

 

RESOLVED THAT: in exercise of powers conferred by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mid Devon District Council do HEREBY CONFER upon BRENDA MARY HULL the title of HONORARY ALDERMAN of the District, in recognition of the eminent services which she rendered as a Member of this Council from May 2003 to May 2019 recording particularly the Council’s appreciation of her service as Chairman of the Council from May 2011 to May 2013 and Vice Chairman of the Council from May 2010 to May 2011; as Chairman of the Economy Policy Development Group from May 2016 to May 2019; as Chairman of the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group from May 2015 to May 2016; as Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services from May 2013 to May 2015; as a member of the Scrutiny Committee from October 2016 to May 2019; as a member of the Licensing Committee from May 2008 to May 2010 and from June 2015 to May 2016; as a member of the Regulatory Committee from May 2008 to May 2010 and from June 2015 to May 2016; as a member of the Planning Policy Advisory Group from May 2015 to May 2019; as a member of the Peoples Park Recreation Ground Trust Committee from May 2011 to May 2019; as a member of the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee from May 2003 to May 2007; as a member of the Planning Committee from September 2004 to May 2006 and as a substitute to that committee from May 2010 to May 2019; as a member of the Community Services Committee from May 2003 to July 2004; as a member of the Joint Resource and Community Services Committee from November 2003 to July 2004; as a member of the Mid Devon Community Planning Alliance from October 2003 to April 2004 and as a representative of the Council upon a number of other bodies and organisations.

 

AND THAT, in due course, a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed and sealed with the common seal of the District Council be presented to Mrs Brenda Mary Hull.

 

(5)         Honorary Alderman Eileen Mavis Andrews

 

Upon a Motion proposed by Councillor A Wilce and seconded by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt it was:

 

RESOLVED THAT: in exercise of powers conferred by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mid Devon District Council do HEREBY CONFER upon EILEEN MAVIS ANDREWS the title of HONORARY ALDERMAN of the District, in recognition of the eminent services which she rendered as a Member of this Council from May 2007 to February 2022 recording particularly the Council’s appreciation of her service as a member of the Community Policy Development Group from November 2007 to May 2011, from May 2015 to May 2019 and from May 2020 to February 2022, as a Member of the Homes Policy Development Group from May 2011 to February 2022, as a member of the Licensing Committee and the Regulatory Committee from May 2011 to February 2022, as a member of the Resources Scrutiny Panel from May 2007 to November 2007; and as a representative of the Council upon a number of other bodies and organisations.

 

AND THAT, in due course, a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed and sealed with the common seal of the District Council be presented to Mrs Eileen Mavis Andrews.

 

 


11/05/2022 - Programme of Meetings (00-57-32) ref: 1044    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

The Chairman MOVED:-

 

THATthe following programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the year 2021/22 be approved:-

 

6 July 2022, 31 August 2002, 26 October 2022, 14 December 2022,

22 February 2023 and 26 April 2023.

 

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

 


11/05/2022 - Scheme of Delegations (00-56-11) ref: 1043    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

Councillor C R Slade MOVED, seconded by Councillor L J Cruwys THAT:-

 

THAT the Council agree the existing scheme of delegations as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution.

 

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

 


11/05/2022 - Appointments to Outside Bodies (00-47-33) ref: 1042    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

The Council had before it the *annual list of Outside Bodies with vacancies for approval.

 

The Chairman MOVED: that the following annual positions be filled as follows:

 

 

Outside Body

For 2022/23

Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership

Cllr S J Clist

Broadpath Landfill Liaison Committee

Cllr R Evans

Building Control Joint Committee

The Leader

 

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration

 

Business Forum Mid Devon

 

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration

 

Community Safety Partnership

Cabinet Member for Community Well-Being

Culm Garden Village Delivery Board

 

The Leader

 

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration

 

 

Cullompton Town Team

(2 Cullompton Town Members)

 

 

Cllr J Buczkowski

Cllr E J Berry

 

Devon Districts Forum / Devon Local Government Steering Group

 

 

 

Leader

Devon Historic Buildings Trust

Cllr G Barnell

 

Devon Rail Forum

 

 

Cllr J M Downes

Gypsy and Traveller Forum

1      Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration

 

2        Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services

 

Cllr Mrs C P Daw

Cllr F W Letch

Cllr G Barnell

 

Heart of the South West Joint Committee

 

Leader

 

Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Joint Scrutiny Committee

 

 

Cllr S J Clist

INVOLVE – Voluntary Action in Mid Devon

 

Cllr B A Moore

 

OkeRail Forum

 

 

Cllr J M Downes

South West Councils

Leader

South West Councils Employers Panel

 

Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services

 

 

Tiverton Town Centre Partnership

(3 Tiverton Town Members)

 

 

Cllr W Burke

Cllr Mrs C P Daw

Cllr B Holdman

 

 

Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was delcared to have been CARRIED.

 


11/05/2022 - Allocation of seats and appointment of of Members to Committees, Policy Development Groups and politically proportioned Working Groups (00-28-15) ref: 1041    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

The Council had before it a *report considering the seat allocations and to appoint members to various bodies for the current civic year 2022/23.

 

Councillor L D Taylor proposed the motion 1(a) printed in the report subject to an amendmentseconded by Councillor L J Cruwys that one seat allocated to the Liberal Democrats on the Environment Policy Development Group be given to the Green Party and that in return the Green Party seat on the Planning Committee be given to the Liberal Democrats.

 

Discussion took place with regard to:

 

·         The allocation agreed by the Group Leaders

·         Whether the Ungrouped Members should have been able to choose from the seats available to them

 

Upon a vote being taken, it was RESOLVED:

 

1.      In respect to the committees (including Policy Development Groups) and Other Groups listed in Appendix A for Civic Year 2022/23:

 

(a)   Seats be allocated and appointments of ungrouped members be made, as shown in the report appendix as amended so that the number of seats allocated to the Liberal Democrats and Greens on Planning is changed to four and zero respectively; and Liberal Democrats and Greens on Environment PDG being changed to two and one respectively.

 

Upon it being moved by Councillor R J Chesterton and seconded by the Leader it was RESOLVED:

 

(b)   Non Group members be appointed to them in accordance with the approved allocations and names notified to the Proper Officer as provided for in the report.

 

Upon it being moved by Councillor N V Davey and seconded by the Leader, it was RESOLVED:

 

  1. The Chief Executive be given delegated authority to make changes to each group’s membership in accordance with the approved allocation applicable at the time, as may be notified to him from time to time by the relevant political group leader.

 

Notes:

 

(i)            Councillors: D F Pugsley, A Wilce and Mrs N Woollatt requested that their vote against the decision (1a) be recorded;

 

(ii)          *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

 


11/05/2022 - Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee (00-21-24) ref: 1038    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

Councillor L D Taylor nominated Councillor S J Clist for election as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee. The nomination was seconded by Councillor L J Cruwys.

 

Councillor Mrs N Woollatt nominated Councillor B G J Warren for election as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee. The nomination was seconded by Councillor Mrs E Lloyd

 

Upon a vote being taken: It was then:-

 

RESOLVED that Councillor S J Clist be elected Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2022/2023.

 

 


11/05/2022 - Vice Chairman of the Council (The Leader in the Chair) (00-15-37) ref: 1040    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

Councillor J M Downes MOVED, seconded by Councillor G Barnell:-

 

“That Councillor R J Dolley be elected as Vice Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2022/2023”.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor R J Dolley be elected Vice Chairman of Mid Devon District Council for the Municipal Year 2022/2023

 

In accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972, Councillor Dolley then made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked the Council for having elected him again as its Vice Chairman.

 

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman took the chair.

 


11/05/2022 - Chairman of the Council (00-07-19) ref: 1039    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 11/05/2022 - Council

Decision published: 16/05/2022

Effective from: 11/05/2022

Decision:

Councillor C J Eginton nominated Councillor R F Radford (in his absence) for election as Chairman of the District Council for the year 2022/2023.  This nomination was seconded by Councillor Mrs C A Collis

 

RESOLVED that Councillor R F Radford be elected Chairman of the Mid Devon District Council for the Municipal Year 2022/2023.