Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: 

Gubb, Shepherd, Dart, Whittaker, L Bright.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 3^rd November 2025.

It was proposed by Councillor Leather , seconded by Councillor Hackett and -

Resolved:  

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 3^rd November 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(Vote: For – 25, Against – 0, Abstentions - 3)

15 minute period for public contributions. The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Thursday 4^th December 2025. To register please email 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.

Members were informed that the agenda contained a Part II item.

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

Resolved:

That the agenda, as circulated, be agreed.

(Vote: For – 28, Against – 1, Abstentions – 0).

The following matters were raised by the Chair:

The Chair extended a welcome to Councillor Middleton and offered his best wishes.

Simon Friend presented the item, which covered:

·         The timeline for site development

·         Work completed to date

·         Recent planning submissions

·         Appointment of contractors

·         Community engagement

He confirmed that construction is expected to start in spring 2026.

The item was noted by Members.

To receive the report of the Leader of the Council & Chief Executive

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) presented the item, the purpose of which was to confirm the temporary appointment of the Deputy S151 Officer.

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

Resolved:

That the Council resolves that Sally Piper will become the Councils temporary Deputy S151 Officer subject to her acceptance of the offer of employment which will include a salary determined in accordance with the Councils agreed policies.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Finance Manager (S151 Officer)

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) presented the report, the purpose of which was to report on the treasury management activity in the year to date.

The report was noted by Members.

To receive the report of the Finance Manager (S151 Officer)

Prior to the start of the meeting and commencement of this item, the final updated figures for the Council Tax Base were distributed.

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) presented the report, the purpose of which was to set the Council Tax Base for 2026/2027.

Councillor James proposed the recommendations outlined in the report which was seconded by Councillor Hackett.

Councillor Tinsley requested clarification on the dates referenced in the report.

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) explained how the Council Tax Base has been adjusted for 2026/2027, this included:

-       Non-collection rates

-       Introduction of the Second Home Premium

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) informed Members that property valuation bands are determined by the Valuation Office.

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

Resolved:

That the Council Tax Base for 2026/2027 be agreed.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

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

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) presented the report, the purpose of which was to:

1.    Update Members on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/2027.

2.    Obtain approval for the current scheme 2025/2026 to roll over to 2026/2027 using updated income figures within the current bands.

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

Resolved:

Members approve the current scheme 2025/2026 to roll over to 2026/2027 using the updated income band figures as detailed within the content of the report.

(Vote: For- Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Leader of the Council

The purpose of the report was to appoint a Lead Member for Legal & Democratic Support.

Councillor James proposed that Councillor Bach is appointed as the Lead Member for Legal & Democratic Support. This was seconded by Councillor Bushby.

Councillor D Brenton proposed that Councillor A Brenton is appointed as the Lead Member for Legal & Democratic Support. This was seconded by Councillor Pennington.

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

Resolved:

That Councillor Bach is appointed as the Lead Member for Legal & Democratic Support.

(Vote: For – 24)

Councillor Bach thanked Members.

Since the first proposal was approved, the second proposal was not put to a vote.

To receive the report of the Head of Legal & Governance (& Monitoring Officer)

The Head of Legal & Governance (& Monitoring Officer) presented the report, the purpose of which was to seek Full Council’s approval for updates to the Terms of Reference for Harbour Board within the Council’s Constitution.

Members asked how the public can contribute to the meeting. The Head of Legal and Governance explained that the Harbour Board reports to the Community & Resources Committee which allows public participation. The Head of Communities & Place explained that there is a Harbour User Group, and he sees no reason why the public could not attend and contribute, provided they are invited by the Chair.

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

Resolved:

The Full Council adopt the following changes to the Council’s constitution as per Appendix A.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Head of Legal & Governance (& Monitoring Officer)

Councillor O’Rourke stated that she had previously worked with TTVS but confirmed there is no conflict of interest.

The Head of Legal & Governance presented the report, the purpose of which was to detail the TTVS request for funding following on from Councillor Thomas’s Notice of Motion.

Councillor James proposed to approve the recommendation outlined in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Hackett.

Councillor Thomas thanked the Head of Legal & Governance for the report.

Councillor A Brenton noted that she had previously been hosted at TTVS’s office during her former employment.

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

Resolved:

That Members decide whether or not to refer the matter to the Member Budget Working Group to decide whether to recommend to. :-

a) Provide a one off payment of £33,000 and;

b) A grant of £42,179 for 26/27.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of Head of Communities and Place.

The Head of Communities & Please presented the item, the purpose of which was to re-present the Northern Devon Place Story for adoption.

Councillor Hicks commented on the usefulness of the document for preparing the new Local Plan and proposed the recommendation outlined in the report.

Councillor James seconded the proposal.

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

Resolved:

·         5.1 That Council adopt the Northern Devon Place Story as set out in Appendix 1

·         5.2. That Council delegate authority to the Head of Communities and Place, in consultation with the Leader, to make any final minor amendments to the Place Story prior to publication

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

A question was asked by Councillor D Brenton.

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

Question from Councillor D Brenton

‘What progress has been made to make safe the dangerous wall alongside the narrow pavement at New Road opposite Ford House?’

Councillor D Brenton

4^th December 2025

Answer

‘Progress was confirmed in email sent to you on the 1^st December, a further copy is attached for ease of reference:-

Good afternoon, Cllr Brenton,

Further to our conversation this afternoon at 13:00 I have been straight out and inspected the wall and pillar on new road.

This issue was already reported to us and is an open and ongoing dangerous structure case that my colleague has been dealing with over the past few months. It is regularly checked by my colleague and there is ongoing dialogue with the owner of the wall to remedy the situation. This wall is owned privately and not by Devon County Council.

At present there is a lean to the pillar, but it is not at the point of imminent/ danger collapse, the stone wall attached is very low level. It is tied into some adjacent railings and there is no movement to the pillar when force is applied and no loose stone or concrete capping.

At present this does not meet the requirements for a section 78 Notice for Emergency Action under the Building Act 1984 where TDC step in to carry out the work.

My colleague who has been dealing with this case is off today, but I will ask him to make further contact and to exert some further pressure on the owner to remove/remedy the pillar. We will also explore next steps with the legal team in terms of legal notice if no action is undertaken.

Please note: In the meantime, we will continue to monitor and if the condition of the wall deteriorates further or there is further movement meeting the threshold for an imminent threat to the public we will act.   As the owner is actively engaging, we must give them opportunity to remedy the situation as the legal owner.  This can sometimes be perceived as Torridge District Council not acting but there is a process to follow where emergency action is not required before we engage in formal notice as this involves spending public funds to remedy the issue.’

Staci Dorey

The Head of Legal & Governance (& Monitoring Officer)

The following supplementary question was asked by Councillor D Brenton:

‘Is there a deadline? At what stage does Torridge District Council intervene to resolve the issue, notify the owner, and advise that they will be billed for the work?’

To receive petitions (if any)

There were no petitions.

There were no notices of motion.

The Chair to move:

“That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972”

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

Resolved:

That the meeting enter the Part II session.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

Items which may be taken in the absence of the public and press on the grounds that exempt information may be disclosed.

To receive the report of the Leader, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Economy and Estates.

The Leader presented the item to update Members on the progress made since the item was last considered by Full Council.

An in depth discussion took place.

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

Resolved:

That the recommendations set out in 5.1 and 5.2 of the report be approved.

(Vote: For – 24, Against – 1, Abstentions – 3)

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

Resolved:

That the meeting exit the Part II session and close.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)