Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hurley, Councillor Brenton and Councillor Dart.

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

Resolved:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2021 be signed as a correct record.

(Vote:  For 6, Abstentions 2)

The action list was reviewed and updated.

Public contributions in accordance with the current scheme.  (The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Thursday 20 January 2022. To register please email dem.services@torridge.gov.uk).

There were no public contributions.

The Forward Plan was noted. 

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 the report of the Planning Manager.

The Planning Manager presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide members with an overview of the Section 106 process and funding allocation.

The report considered the following:

·         Planning Background – which included the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 which sets out strict legal guidance as to what constitutes a lawful obligation and the tests to be met to ensure the development is acceptable in planning terms.   These are –

o   Necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms

o   Directly related to the development

o   Fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development

·         How are Section 106 agreements agreed

·         Monitoring of Section 106 Agreements

·         Distribution of funds and application process for unallocated funds

During the discussion the principal concern raised by Members was regarding the lack of consultation with Ward Members.  The Planning Manager advised that Ward Members are consulted as part of the planning process but acknowledged there is an issue when S106 Agreements are considered under the Outline application which may have been granted 5 years previously.  When the Reserved Matters application is submitted the S106 cannot be changed.  The Planning Manager agreed to speak to Officers.

The Planning Manager addressed all questions/issues raised by Members and agreed to provide the following information:

·         Appendix 1 – S106 Capital Contributions – to confirm and circulate to Members the number of items/sites listed that are over five years old.

·         To research if and how much money from S106’s has been paid back to Developers.

Councillor James requested that a further report be brought back to this Committee.

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

Resolved:

That the charges for services to be effective from 1 April 2022, and set out in the Appendix attached to the report, be agreed.

Councillor Laws declared a personal interest – a family member has a café with a pavement licence.

The Finance Manager & S151 Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was for Members to review the level of miscellaneous fees and charges, as set out in the Appendix attached to the report.

During the brief discussion that followed, Councillor Christie raised the subject of burial sites and the absence of land available.   The Head of Communities & Place advised that this matter is constantly under review.   The Chief Executive agreed to speak to the Property Team.

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

Resolved:

That the charges for services to be effective from 1 April 2022 and set out in the Appendix attached to the report, be agreed.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Head of Communities & Place.

Resolved:

·         That £15,000 be assigned from the Community Renewal Fund Priority Place funding allocation, designed for the development of projects for future funding streams, or the Economic Development Project Reserve if the Community Renewal Funding is not released from DCC as expected, towards the delivery of the urban renewal master planning and business planning for Bideford.

·         That a Regeneration Board for Bideford be established and Ward Members to be nominated as representatives.

·         That the creation of a Town Centre Project Officer role to provide focus and capacity for the delivery of the urban renewal steps required be supported.

The Economic Development Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was:

·         To seek Member approval for partnership working with Devon County Council for an urban renewal masterplanning programme and business planning in Bideford, and

·         To approve £15,000 match funding towards the masterplanning programme and subsequent business planning.

When discussing this matter, although Members gave support for the project, concerns were raised in relation to the funds being spent on Consultancy fees.

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

Resolved:

·         That £15,000 be assigned from the Community Renewal Fund Priority Place funding allocation, designed for the development of projects for future funding streams, or the Economic Development Project Reserve if the Community Renewal Funding is not released from DCC as expected, towards the delivery of the urban renewal master planning and business planning for Bideford.

·         That a Regeneration Board for Bideford be established and Ward Members to be nominated as representatives.

·         That the creation of a Town Centre Project Officer role to provide focus and capacity for the delivery of the urban renewal steps required be supported.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Head of Communities & Place.

The Head of Communities & Place presented the progress report which updated Members on the arrangements for the delivery of Leisure Services from 1 April 2022.

Councillor Bushby highlighted the need for the Authority to advertise and promote this as early as possible.

Members voted unanimously to note the report.