Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: 

O’Rourke, Andrews, Tinsley, Lock, Wheatley, Cottle-Hunkin, L Bright, Hawkins

15 minute period for public contributions. The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Monday 24 November. 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.

There were no Part II items.

There were no urgent matters.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive and Leader

The Chief Executive and Leader presented the report, the purpose of which was to make a decision about Local Government Re-Organisation – Reimagining Devon, Believe in Better.

Councillor Hames arrived at 18:17pm

Councillor Johns arrived at 18:21pm

At the end of his presentation, the Leader proposed to approve all three recommendations in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Hodson.

Councillor D Brenton asked whether Members were permitted to propose alternative options outside of the recommendations in the report. He expressed his view that Option F – briefly outlined within the document – would be a more beneficial choice for the Torridge area. The Chief Executive responded that while this is possible, Members would be voting on an option without having seen a detailed business case which includes financial implications. He emphasised that Option F, has been considered at a high level in the report and not been subject to in-depth analysis. The Leader added that Full Council had tasked the Leader and the Chief Executive with evaluating possible options and presenting a robust recommendation before the submission deadline. Councillor Hodson noted that the report explained that each option had been scored on balance, but it was concluded that the 4-5-1 model best met the criteria.

Councillor D Brenton expressed that adopting a model involving Exeter could negatively impact the rural areas of Torridge. The Chief Executive explained that if Members chose to vote for an alternative option, a new business case would need to be prepared and this would result in Torridge District Council missing the submission deadline.

Councillor Thomas proposed that Torridge District Council should not submit a plan for Local Government Reorganisation. He outlined concerns about the aspirations and the size of the proposed area. He added that there was a lack of detailed information on estimated costs, the impact on local economy, and job losses to make an educated decision. In response, the Leader expressed concern that if Members chose not to approve the submission, Torridge District Council would diverge from neighbouring districts and be excluded from future discussions and decisions.

Councillor A Brenton stated that she felt Members has little choice and expressed her agreement with Councillor D Brenton in supporting Option F.

The Leader reminded Members that they had previously agreed, at a Full Council meeting, to sign a joint letter with other Devon District Councils stating that a single unitary authority would not be beneficial for Torridge.

Councillor Piper highlighted that the final decision will be made by Central Government, where multiple options will be considered. However, he stressed that having a viable option developed with input from Torridge District Council is the best way forward.

Councillor Whittaker thanked Officers for their hard work and noted the significant difficulty in obtaining the necessary information from other authorities to build an informed case. She agreed that submitting a well-supported proposal backed by substantial evidence is essential.

The Chair reiterated that the Chief Executive, Officers, and the Leader had reviewed all options and identified the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 524.

To receive the report of Head of Communities and Place

The Head of Communities and Place presented the report, the purpose of which was to present the Northern Devon Place Story for adoption.

Councillor Thomas left the meeting at 19:13pm.

Members identified an error in the name of a location which will be corrected.

The Head of Communities and Place confirmed that Inner Circle Consulting, in partnership with Torridge and North Devon District Councils, created the Northern Devon Place Story.

Members agreed that the document gives limited attention to agriculture and that this should be emphasised, specifically regarding technological advancements. They also noted that it does not mention the agricultural shows held in the area.

Councillor James clarified the purpose of the document and proposed to approve the recommendations outlined in the report.

Councillor Brenton and Councillor Hames highlighted that public transport, particularly the railway has not been referenced.

Councillor Pennington requested that villages be included alongside the reference to ‘vibrant towns’.

Councillor Piper, as Lead Member for Leisure, requested that the document be updated to reflect the strong presence of local sport in Torridge’s rural areas, noting that it often forms an essential part of community life.

The Head of Communities and Place emphasised that the Northern Devon Place Story is a strategic, high-level document, but confirmed that the comments raised will be taken on board.

Councillor Leather noted the document’s reference to Brexit as a disruption and requested that this is removed.

Councillor Hodson proposed that the amendments discussed today be incorporated and the revised document brought to a future Full Council meeting for approval. This was seconded by Councillor A Brenton.

The Chair requested that Members submit any further amendments directly to the Head of Communities and Place.

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

Resolved:

That the item is deferred.

(Vote: For - unanimous)

There were no questions submitted under Procedural Rule A9.

To receive petitions (if any)

There were no petitions.

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”

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

There were no Part II items.