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To consider the Infrastructure Funding
Statement prior to publication by 31 December 2020
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration requesting approval of the list of Infrastructure items, including affordable housing to be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Funding Statement, which was required to be published on the Council’s website by 31 December 2020.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that there was a legal requirement for the Council to publish no later than 31December each year an annual Infrastructure Funding Statement.
This included:
There was a need to seek approval for a list of infrastructure and affordable housing in Appendix 1 (Part B) that the Council intends to fund either wholly or partly by planning obligations and or a Community Infrastructure Levy and the future spending priorities on those.
The list in Appendix 1 (Part B – Infrastructure List) and the future spending priorities had been informed through previous work for the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2016. This was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in March 2017 as a supporting document for the examination of the Mid Devon CIL draft charging schedule, and had been prepared in the context of infrastructure needs to support development identified in the recently adopted Mid Devon Local Plan.
The Mid Devon Infrastructure Funding Statement would use the same infrastructure priority criteria to reflect the importance of infrastructure in relation to the implementation of the adopted Mid Devon Local Plan.
The Cabinet Member requested that consideration be given to four amendments to the list of infrastructure in Appendix 1 (Part B- Infrastructure List) that have been suggested by Cabinet Members prior to the meeting:
The priority is ‘local’ since the plan and / or site allocations are not dependent on the delivery of this infrastructure item, and it would be beneficial to the local community as will the Boniface Trail
The priority is ‘local’ since the plan and / or site allocations are not dependent on the delivery of this infrastructure item, and it would be beneficial to the local community
The priority is ‘local’ since the plan and / or site allocations are not dependent on the delivery of this infrastructure item, and it would be beneficial to the local community
The priority is ‘local’ since the plan and / or site allocations are not dependent on the delivery of this infrastructure item, and it would be beneficial to the local community
Consideration was given to:
· The primary school proposed for the Pedlars Pool site which was actually in the parish of Sandford
· The expansion of Haywards and Landscore Primary schools
· Strategic planning requirements for Crediton and the timetable for work to commence on a masterplanning exercise
· Whether funding could be used to improve existing green infrastructure in Cullompton
· That the infrastructure projects were proposed by area and not parish
RESOLVED that the following be approved:
a) The list of infrastructure and affordable housing in Appendix 1 that the Council intends to fund, either wholly or partly, by planning obligations and / or a Community Infrastructure Levy, and the future spending priorities on these;
b) The inclusion of Appendix 1 – Infrastructure List in the Mid Devon Infrastructure Funding Statement to be published on the Council’s website by 31December 2020 subject to the inclusion of
Settlement / area |
Infrastructure Item |
Type |
Strategic Priority |
Rural |
Cycle route from Crediton to Sandford to connect to the Boniface Trail |
Transport |
Local |
Cullompton |
Sporting and leisure facilities |
Community |
Local |
Cullompton |
Improvement of local library services |
Libraries |
Local |
Cullompton |
Strategic green infrastructure including public parkland |
Community |
Local |
(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr Mrs N Woollatt)
Reason for decision – The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which exercises the powers of Part 11 of the Planning Act 2008 requires in each calendar year a contribution receiving authority to publish an annual infrastructure funding statement. The first annual infrastructure funding statement must be published by 31 December 2020.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Jenny Clifford
To consider the appointments for an Executive Finance Director and a Non Executive Director for 3 Rivers Developments Ltd.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Chief Executive complying with the requirements of the recommendations agreed by the cabinet, Scrutiny and Audit Committees that new Directors be appointed to 3 Rivers Developments Ltd.
It was RESOLVED that:
a) John Riley be appointed to the post of Financial Director
b) Bill Yardley be appointed to the post of Non-Executive Director
(Proposed by Cllr B A Moore and seconded by Cllr R B Evans)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Nick Sanderson
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Group Manager for Performance, Governance and Data Security providing Members with an update on the performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets and any recommendations from the Policy Development Groups with regard to the Corporate Plan performance framework.
Consideration was given to:
· Houses in Multiple Occupation – the number of inspections that had taken place, how many of them had been compliant, how many required action and the number of licences issued or removed
RESOLVED that the report be NOTED and that the measures suggested for inclusion in the Corporate Plan Performance Framework be approved.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Reason for decision – there is a need to approve the measures suggested to align performance with priorities and targets laid out in the Corporate Plan
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To consider a report with regard to waste
options
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
Further to a report of the Interim Group Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces, the Environment Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations that:
· The options in the report be considered; and
· Authority should be given for the Service to complete a trial to a limited number (around 1000) of households for a minimum of three months
The Cabinet Member for the Environment outlined the contents of the report stating that the suggested changes to the current scheme had been discussed with advisors and meetings had taken place with East Devon District Council with regard to the scheme that they were running and consideration of any best practice. Four options had been put forward, this was not about saving money but increasing recycling in line with Government guidelines to recycle 65% of household waste by 2035 and Devon’s proposed 60% target by 2025. He outlined the proposed trial which would take place in urban and rural areas (which would include some specific areas that had special issues) and it was hoped that the trial would increase recycling which was cost effective.
Consideration was given to:
· Other districts that had implemented 3 weekly residual waste collections and whether they had fortnightly collections of recycling or whether they had weekly recycling collections
· The need for an additional option to include residual - 3 weekly, chargeable garden waste - 2 weekly, food – weekly, recycling - weekly, with a residual waste - residents’ receptacle or sacks, as there was a need to look at all the options for a complete trial. It was agreed that this should be considered as part of the trial.
· The cost implications of the various options
· Whether special circumstances would be considered depending on the number of people/children in a residence
· Capacity to store waste prior to collection
· Whether the amount of waste to be collected would be capped
· How the collection lorries would be used
· The amount of brown bins being stored at the depot
· Opportunities to reduce the current carbon footprint
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr Miss E Wainwright)
Reason for decision – there is a need to increase recycling in the District in line with Government guidelines to recycle 65% of household waste by 2035 and Devon’s proposed 60% target rate by 2025.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To consider the Medium Term Financial
Plan
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) producing an updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which takes account of the Council’s key strategies (i.e. the Corporate Plan, Business Plans, Treasury Management Plan, Asset Management Plan, Work Force Plan and Capital Strategy) and demonstrates it has the financial resources to deliver the Corporate Plan. This models potential changes in funding levels, new initiatives, unavoidable costs and proposed service savings.
The Cabinet Member for Finance outlined the contents of the report stating that the main purpose of the MTFP was to show how the Council would strategically manage its finances over the next four financial years in order to support the delivery of the objectives within the Corporate Plan. He stated that we were in uncertain times and that there was huge uncertainty with regard to several funding streams. There were concerns with regard to the ability to balance the budget gap in 2021/22 and savings would need to be identified.
Consideration was given to:
· Whether now was the time to consider growing the commercial property base
· What plans were in place to set a balanced budget for 2021/22
· The public sector pay freeze
· Ideas that were discussed in a budget workshop at the beginning of 2020 would be considered further
· Whether strategic services would need to be cut and consultation that would take place with the public
· The need to consider the Climate Change Declaration and how work with regard to this could be prioritised
RESOLVED that the updated Medium Term Financial Plan be noted and the proposed outlined in paragraph 8.2 be endorsed.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Reason for decision – There is a need to show that the Council will strategically manage its finances over the next four financial years in order to support the delivery of the pledges/objectives detailed in the Corporate Plan.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Jarrett
To consider a report with regard to a new
policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
Further to a report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration, the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation:
Section 11.1 of the Community-Led Housing Fund Guidance and Criteria (Appendix 2), which provides the framework for the allocation of grants, is amended so that the Community Housing Fund Project Group membership includes:
The Cabinet Member for Housing, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration, the Group Manager for Housing Services, the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration and the Housing Enabling and Policy Officer.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report stating that the report sought to amend the membership of the project group as this followed the Council’s housing enabling role being moved from the Housing Service to the Planning Service. He highlighted that for the sake of clarity Appendix 2 would be renamed to Appendix A.
Consideration was given to:
· A request for information with regard to the monies spent from the fund and how they were spent
· The proposed appointment of the new officer
· The membership of the project group and whether elected members should be included
· The need for the new officer (when in post) to promote the scheme
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved subject to the reference to the framework for the allocation of the grants being in Appendix A of the document.
(Proposed by Cllr R B Evans and seconded by Cllr R J Chesterton)
Reason for decision – to amend the membership of the Community Housing Fund Project Group to reflect that the Council’s housing enabling role has moved from the Housing Service to the Planning Service.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To consider the options for the land at Post Hill Tiverton.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 03/12/2020 - Cabinet
Decision published: 08/12/2020
Effective from: 12/12/2020
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *a report of Deputy Chief Executive (S151) providing options to progress the development of land at Post Hill, Tiverton.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services provided a response to the questions posed in public question time: he thanked Mr Quinn for his question and stated that he was quite right that a previous Cabinet decision provided for expenditure on advice regarding the possibilities of a Teckal-compliant company. That was why the wording of this evening’s report did not assume that such an entity would exist in future and provided for a Cabinet decision to be made based on both possible outcomes.
So to answer Mr Quinn’s specific questions; firstly the report was likely to be scheduled to come to Cabinet in January and he believed that the Council’s forward plan was being published tomorrow (Friday) confirming this. And secondly, yes this would be listed as an open item.
He then outlined the contents of the report which provided background information with regard to the site and the need for financial diligence to protect the HRA, he felt that Option 4 would be the way forward.
Consideration was given to:
· The need for social housing as outlined in the Corporate Plan
· Funding streams for social housing
· The impact on the HRA
· The percentage of affordable housing on the whole site which was set at 21% and the viability issues which had lead to the figure
· The meaning of affordable housing
· The need for low carbon dwellings
· The housing need in the locality
· A proposal to use infill sites for social housing to be funded by the HRA across the district and not on one site (which would form another report to be presented to the Homes Policy Development Group and the Cabinet)
· Whether to consider a full tender exercise rather than consider the establishment of a Teckal compliant company
· Any Teckal company would be bound by procurement rules and the impact of Brexit on European procurement rules
· Further information required with regard to setting up a Teckal compliant company
RESOLVED that:
1) Authority be given to submit a planning application, subject to final design and based on:
(iii) Option 4- 70 Affordable Homes
(Proposed by Cllr R B Evans and seconded by Cllr D J Knowles)
2) In the event that Cabinet proceeds in future to establish a new company structure, which
(i) is “Teckal” compliant; and
(ii) appropriate for the delivery of social/affordable housing
the Cabinet agrees that delivery of the housing will be through that new company, subject to advice received when establishing the new company and any other material factors.
(Proposed by Cllr R B Evans and seconded by Cllr B A Moore)
3) Recommendation 3 within the report be withdrawn following the debate and approval of recommendation 2 and that a further report with regard to the tender exercise for Post Hill, Tiverton be brought before the Cabinet at a future meeting.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Reason for decision – A decision was required on what level and mix of housing would be provided on the recently acquired Post Hill development site and then what would be the most appropriate delivery mechanism to bring this forward.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Busby