Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brenton and Rossi.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14 December 2020

It was proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Watson and -

Resolved:   That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For 31, Abstentions 3)

15minuteperiodfor public contributions(The deadlinefor registeringtospeak isby 2pmThursday28 January 2021.Toregister pleaseemail dem.services@torridge.gov.uk).

There were no public contributions.

Members with interests to declare should refer to the Agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is being discussed.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

There were no Part II items.

There were no urgent matters brought forward.

A question had been submitted by Councillor Jones under Procedural Rule A9.

In accordance with the Constitution a written answer to the question had been circulated to all members.

Question from Councillor Jones

Please can members be provided with the total amount of expenses claimed by members from 1st April 2019 up to and including 31st December 2019 and from 1st April 2020 up to and including 31st December 2020.

Response

1^st April 2019    -   31^st December 2019         Travel                 £12,744

Member Training Expenses                                                      £     947

1^st April 2020    -   31^st December 2020         Travel                  £ 1,760

Councillor Jones raised a supplementary question, asking the Leader of the Council to join him in seeking online meetings in the future, if it were within the council’s competence, given that there are clear financial benefits and there is a potential to modernise the way business is conducted and perhaps lead to a more representative council in which more working people could participate.

The Leader referred to the legislation relating to online meetings which runs out in May.  The LGA had been seeking clarification from the government as to the future of online meetings.  There had been no clear indication either way but it had been inferred that there was a preference for physical meetings. 

To receive a presentation from OneSmallStep

Mr Mark Keeley delivered a presentation on the services provided by OneSmallStep.  The organisation offers free support to Devon residents to improve their health and wellbeing.  Advice and guidance is available online, by telephone and through face to face support (currently suspended due to Covid).

Mr Keeley explained the strategies, tools and approaches used to help people give up smoking, to maintain a healthy weight, to get more active or to cut down on alcohol.

The presentation will be circulated to councillors.  

The Chair thanked Mr Keeley for the presentation.

To receive the report of the Leader and Chief Executive

The Leader presented the report, highlighting the main changes.  The Chief Executive reiterated that the aim was to have a closer collaboration between Lead Members and officers to ensure service planning and business planning feed through as per the recently adopted Strategic Plan. 

During the debate which followed, the points below were discussed:

·      The environment should be a separate entity with a dedicated Lead Member. The role of the Lead Member.

If the additional role were approved it would need to be clearly defined.

·      The number of Lead Members as regulated by the Constitution – The Head of Legal & Governance confirmed that the Constitution did not stipulate the number of Lead Members.

·      The heavy workload of the Leader, Deputy Leader and certain other Lead Members.

·      Whether any amendments should be deferred to the AGM.

·      The responsibility for coastal protection and the role of the Lead Member.

·      Drawing on talent and experience that is available.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor McGeough and seconded by Councillor Newton -

That:

The Environment be a separate entity and that Councillor Harding be the Lead Member.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For 12, Against 21, Abstention 1)

The motion was lost.

It was proposed by Councillor James, seconded by Councillor Bushby and –

Resolved:

1.    That the following Lead Member structure and Lead Members be approved

2.    That the change of Board Member on North Devon+ from Councillor Hackett to Councillor James be approved.

A recorded vote was taken.

To receive a verbal update from the Public Health & Housing Manager

The Public Health and Housing Manager advised that Torridge District Council’s draft carbon plan had been written.  It had been approved at the last meeting of the Councillor Climate Emergency Working Group and it will be brought to the next Full Council meeting for approval.

DCC Carbon Plan (Consultation Response) – to receive a report from the Public Health & Housing Manager

- DCC Carbon Plan Link - https://www.devonclimateemergency.org.uk/interimcarbonplan/

- DCC Carbon Plan Summary Link - https://www.devonclimateemergency.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DCE_00_Summary.pdf

- Recommendations from Councillor Climate Change Working Group –

The report presented by the Public Health and Housing Manager focused predominantly on the recommendations from the Councillor Climate Emergency Working Group in response to Devon County Council’s Devon Interim Carbon Plan.

The Lead Member for Climate Emergency congratulated the Public Health and Housing Manager on producing the well written plan.  He urged all councillors to read the Plan and to input any comments.

Councillor Inch declared an interest – he is a member of Devon County Council.   

Councillor Inch asked that he, as Devon County Councillor, be included in the Councillor Climate Emergency Working Group.  He spoke in support of the efforts being made by Devon County Council to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Members discussed the improvements/inclusions put forward by the Climate Emergency Working Group, particularly tidal energy.  The Public Health and Housing Manager clarified that the suggestions were in relation to the Devon plan. 

Councillor Pennington declared an interest – previously when offshore wind power had been considered (Atlantic Array) it had caused Councillor Pennington a lot of difficulties as it would have to have been brought across ground.

It was proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded by Councillor Watson and –

Resolved:

1.    That the imminent production of TDC’s Carbon Plan be noted and that the Plan be brought to the next Full Council meeting in April.

2.    That the recommendations put forward by the Member Climate Emergency Working Group on the Devon Interim Carbon Plan be endorsed, and a response, as outlined, be provided to Devon County Council.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For 32, Against 2)

To receive the report of the Finance Manager (s151 Officer)

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) explained the purpose and scope of the Financial & Contractual Rules.  He outlined the reasons for the revisions and signposted Members to the detail in the report.

It was noted that the Audit & Governance Committee had recommended in July 2020 that the proposed changes be brought to Full Council for approval but this had been the first opportunity to present them to Full Council.

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) asked that Members vote on the Procedural Rules as a whole, rather than as individual rules for finance and contracts.

The Lead Member for Customer Services & Internal Resources and the Chair of Audit & Governance fully endorsed the document.

A short debate took place in relation to officer delegated authority to write off debts. with some members of the opinion that all proposed write offs should come before members.  It was noted that there were processes in place to ensure proper scrutiny.

Councillor Hodson had intended to put forward an amendment relating to ward member agreement regarding the disposal of land. The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) confirmed that the amendment had been incorporated and apologised that this had been effected prior to Councillor Hodson making the proposal to amend.

It was proposed by Councillor Hodson, seconded by Councillor Bushby and -

Resolved: That the proposed revisions to the Finance and Contract Procedure Rules be approved.

A recorded vote was taken.

Councillor McGeough lost connection therefore did not take part in the vote.

(Vote: For - unanimous)

To receive the report of the Finance Manager (s151 Officer)

The revisions were considered under item 144.

To receive the report of the Finance Manager (s151 Officer)

The revisions were considered under item 144.

To receive petitions (if any)

There were no petitions.

It is proposed that this Council resolves to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill and writes to the MP for Torridge asking him to vote to approve the Bill in Parliament.

Written Notice of Motion from Councillor Hames

Councillor Hames read out a statement to introduce his Notice of Motion emphasising the need for more action to be taken by Central Government and urged all Members to support the Notice of Motion.  Prior to the meeting, Councillor Hames had circulated the Bill to the Committee and highlighted the main points.

A lengthy discussion took place with mixed emotions and views concerning the actual content of the Bill and writing a letter to the MP as some Members deemed it as lobbying.  Whilst some Members were against the Notice of Motion, they all acknowledged the fact that Climate Change is extremely important but TDC need to concentrate on what they are proactively doing to tackle the problem more locally.

It was proposed by Councillor Hames and seconded by Councillor Christie –

That:

The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill be supported, and a letter be written to the MP for Torridge asking him to vote to approve the Bill in Parliament.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote: For 14, Against 20)

The motion was lost.