Agenda and minutes

Extraordinary, Full Council - Thursday, 9th January, 2025 7.00 pm

Venue: Caddsdown Business Support Centre - Caddsdown Bideford EX39 3BE. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services Email: dem.services@torridge.gov.uk

Media

Items
No.	Item
372.	Apologies For Absence To receive apologies for absence from the meeting Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: Councillor D Bushby, L Ford, S Gibson, J Gubb, P Hackett, S Inch, T Johns, R Lock, T Tinsley, J Whittaker. In Councillor D Bushby’s absence, the Vice-Chair Councillor D Smith Chaired the meeting.
373.	Public Contributions 15 minute period for public contributions. The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Tuesday 7^th January 2025. To register please email dem.services@torridge.gov.uk Minutes: There were no public contributions.
374.	Declarations of interest Members with interests to declare should refer to the Agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is being discussed. Minutes: Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.
375.	Agreement of Agenda Items Part I and II Minutes: There were no Part II items.
376.	To consider correspondence or other business especially brought forward by the direction of the Chair Minutes: No matters were brought forward by the Chair.
377.	English Devolution White Paper PDF 967 KB To receive details from the Leader and Chief Executive. Additional documents: English Devolution White Paper - Briefing for DCN Members December 2024 FINAL , item 377. PDF 3 MB English_Devolution_White_Paper_Web_Accessible , item 377. PDF 3 MB Minutes: The Chief Executive and the Leader outlined the key elements within the English Devolution White Paper to the Committee and invited members to review and discuss the recommendations detailed by the Leader. The item was opened up for discussion. In response to questioning, the Leader and Chief Executive explained the potential outcomes from postponing the County Council Elections. Councillor D Brenton addressed the committee and gave apologies for his and Councillor A Brenton’s early departure. Councillor D Brenton then read a preprepared statement. Both Councillors left the meeting at 7:27pm. Councillor H Thomas proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Councillor C Cottle-Hunkin. Further comment was made about whether expressing opposition would be effective in this matter or not. Members also asked for a definition of a ‘Shadow Unitary Council Election’ which the Chief Executive provided. Councillor L Bright addressed the committee and gave a statement. Members voiced their worries about the consequences for democracy in rural areas. Comment was made on the unsettled nature of this change and how it could interrupt scheduled elections and affect devolution. Councillors questioned the criteria of 500,000 residents within an area to qualify for a Unitary Council. As part of this, Members conveyed their apprehension about where this would leave Torridge and the overall North Devon area during future decision making. Councillors considered the need to uphold democracy and prioritise the needs of the Torridge District Council area. Councillor Cottle-Hunkin and 8 other Members requested a recorded vote. It was Proposed by Councillor H Thomas, seconded by Councillor C Cottle-Hunkin and – Resolved: · Approve the Leader to sign on behalf of Torridge a letter to Minister Jim McMahon, Minister of State (Housing, Communities& Local Government) setting out the position of Torridge District Council alongside the other Devon District Councils, which is that: They do not support a proposal that a single Unitary Council for Devon is the right option. Notwithstanding that no evaluation, analysis, consultation, and, or proper consideration has been taken into account of the impacts that such a proposition would have on our residents, communities, staff, businesses and visitors. Do not support the postponement of the Devon County Council elections scheduled for May 2025 and that they should take place as scheduled, which would allow a new democratically elected Devon County Council to respond to future arrangements for Devon. Note the Government’s ambition for having directly elected Mayors, Strategic Authorities Mayoral Combined Authorities across England, although recognising that Devon and the Devon and Torbay CCA is not at the stage to progress to a MCA model at this point in time. Recognise the Government’s ambitions for reforming and restructuring Local Government especially in two tier areas. However, full and proper consideration of the options and opportunities for Devon would need to be based on data, evidence, analysis, evaluation and the impact on our residents, communities, staff, businesses and visitors. The Leader and Chief Executive to continue to work with the other Devon Districts’ Leaders and Chief Executives to explore options for ... view the full minutes text for item 377.
378.	Exclusion of Public 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”
379.	PART II - (CLOSED SESSION) Items which may be taken in the absence of the public and press on the grounds that exempt information may be disclosed.