Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Hutchings (Councillor Clarke substituting).

Public contributions in accordance with the current scheme. (The deadline for

registering to speak is by 2pm Thursday 21 January 2021. 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 considered.

Declarations of interest were made when the specific agenda items to which they related were under discussion.

There were no urgent matters brought forward.

To receive a verbal update from the Head of Communities and Place

The Head of Communities & Place gave a brief verbal update, which included the following:

·         The Environmental Centre is a strategic priority for the Council, and for health and safety reasons there is a need for all operational to be on one site.

·         Officers had now reached a position where a steer from Members was required. 

·         So as not to prejudice the commercial position at this stage for both the Council and Vendor, the meeting will move into Part II for information to be discussed.

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

Resolved:

That the charges for services to be effective from 1 April 2021 as set out in the Appendix attached to the report be agreed.

Councillor Wiseman declared a Prejudicial interest – interest in camp and caravan site – he did not take part in the debate or decision making.

The Finance Manager and s151 Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was for Members to review the level of miscellaneous fees and charges.

Following a brief discussion, it was proposed by Councillor James, seconded by Councillor Lock and –

Resolved:

That the charges for services to be effective from 1 April 2021 as set out in the Appendix attached to the report be agreed.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)

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

Resolved

a)     That the garden waste collection charges currently £35 per annum; be increased by £5 per annum for 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24 at which point the charge will be £50 per annum, as detailed in Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.3 attached to the Report.

b)     That car parking charges within Westward Ho! and Appledore as detailed in Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.4 attached to the report be increased (increase phased in over 3 years)

c)      That car parking charges within the Towns of Bideford, Holsworthy and Torrington as detailed in Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.4 attached to the report be increased (increase phased in over 3 years)

d)     That other car parking permit charges as detailed in the Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.4 attached to the report be increased.

Recommendations to Full Council

e)     That Torridge’s Band D Council Tax for 2021/22 be increased by £5 (2.96%) from £168.66 to £173.66 per year.

f)       That Torridge’s Net Revenue Budget 2021/22 be £6.956m

g)     That contributions to the Council’s reserves as outlined in paragraph 12.4 of the report be approved.

h)     That the new PiDs detailed in Appendix 1, Capital Report, attached to the Report

       be added to the Council’s approved capital programme.

The Finance Manager & s151 Officer introduced the report, the purpose of which was for Members to consider, formulate and recommend the Budget 2021/22 to Full Council.    The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) indicates the possible extent of the budget and funding shortfall that the Council will face in the future.   It is an aid in identifying the extent of service changes that the Council will need to make to achieve a balanced budget in each financial year up to 2025/26. 

A detailed and informative slide presentation was given by the Finance Manager & s151 Officer highlighting the salient points in the report. 

Councillor Hodson, Deputy Leader, addressed the meeting, recognising the necessity to maintain service provisions and the need to raise additional funding through fees and an increase in Council Tax.  Councillor Hodson endorsed the recommendations in the report.

Councillor James, Leader, re-enforced the comments made by Councillor Hodson. 

Both Councillor Hodson and Councillor James acknowledged the excellent presentation given by the Finance Manager & s151 Officer.

Questions/concerns raised by Members and addressed by Officers included:

• Capital Income – sale of 2 assets, Westcombe and Brunswick Wharf did not appear to be included.  The chief Executive explained that the disposal of Westcombe had been built into the Capital Programme in 2017 when the decision to pursue options for a new depot had been taken by Members.    Brunswick to be included in the capital income should the development progress as approved by Full Council.

• Loss of car parking at Brunswick Wharf, had this been built into car parking income?  It is anticipated that car parking will be re allocated to other sites in and around Bideford.   The Head of Communities & Place confirmed there will be capacity in other car parks and it is envisaged that discussions will take place with the Developer for a residents parking scheme.

• Increase in garden waste charges – a recommendation was put forward that this to be increased to £50 in the first year and to be maintained for three years.

• Council Tax increase – the reasoning for the recommendation stated in the report was explained.

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

Resolved

a)     That the garden waste collection charges currently £35 per annum; be increased by £5 per annum for 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24 at which point the charge will be £50 per annum, as detailed in Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.3 attached to the Report.

b)     That car parking charges within Westward Ho! and Appledore as detailed in Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.4 attached to the report be increased (increase phased in over 3 years)

c)      That car parking charges within the Towns of Bideford, Holsworthy and Torrington as detailed in Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.4 attached to the report be increased (increase phased in over 3 years)

d)     That other car parking permit charges as detailed in the Appendix 1 Capital Report section 3.7.4 attached to the report be increased.

Recommendations to Full Council

e)   That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

The Chair to move:

That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part I and paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

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

Resolved:     

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) the

public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For 11, Against 1)

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

PART II

Resolved:

That recommendations a) and e) as set out the report be agreed.

The Finance Manager & s151 Officer gave a slide presentation, the purpose of which was to update Members on the advantages of securing an Environmental Centre, to outline the risks associated with the current operational model and to detail alternatives available to the Council. 

Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor James, seconded by Councillor Hicks and -

Resolved:

That recommendations a) and e) as set out the report be agreed.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote; For – Unanimous)

It was proposed by Councillor Hicks, seconded by Councillor James that the press and public be re-admitted.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)