Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

No apologies were received for the meeting.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held 24 January 2022 and Budget Special meeting held 31 January 2022.

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

Resolved:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 January be signed as a correct record.

(Vote:  For 8, Abstentions 3)

It was proposed by Councillor James, seconded by Councillor Brenton                    and -

Resolved:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January be signed as a correct record.

(Vote:  For 11)

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 10 March 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 update report from the Planning Manager

The Planning Manager presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide Members with further clarity and assurances that Ward Members would be consulted and involved within the S106 process.

The Planning Manager confirmed that Planning Officers had undertaken a half day professional development session focusing on S106 Agreements on 17^th February.

The Planning Manager noted that following the review of the process it had been noted that in the instance where a proposal was Policy compliant there had been instances where Ward members were not notified. Going forward the Planning Manager confirmed that to ensure consistency of Ward member consultations, additional checks and balances will be added to the process at both the Officer delegated / Committee report stage, and the Legal instruction stage, with both forms now requiring Officer confirmation of Ward Member consultation.

During the discussion Members were concerned with how monies from a recent planning application had been allocated within the district. The Planning Manager commented that as there is a ND Biosphere it allows for the contribution to be used in the local area.  The Environment Act 2021 will allow applicants the option to purchase credits from the Secretary of State who could then distribute the net gain nationally.

Councillor Dart suggested that the committee invite Andy Bell from North Devon Biosphere to discuss how the monies are allocated. The Planning Manager had confirmed that he had already spoken to Andy Bell and had agreed to do a virtual session with all members invited. Once the date has been agreed this will be circulated to members.

Councillor Christie requested that Devon County Council be contacted to hold a similar event on Highways S106 requests and how they are calculated. The Planning Manager confirmed that he would contact Devon County and request that a virtual training session be arranged.

Members noted the report.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive

Resolved:

That the forecast surplus be allocated as follows (as identified in the report):

2.1       Living Standards

a one-off grant of £12,000 for the financial year 2022-23 to CAB

a sum of £36,000 to provide a hardship funding

2.2       Housing

                        a sum of £25k to match fund the LGA grant of £25k

2.3       Health & well Being

      a one-off grant of £10,000 to Community Developers for 2022-23

a one-off grant of £12,000 to the High Flow Programme for 2022-23

2.4       Education & Skills

                        £50,000 Economic Development Reserve 

2.5       Economy & Regeneration

£15,000 to match fund (LGA Grant of £20,000) and NDC & Petroc funding of £15,000 (both the latter subject to their individual internal decision making)

2.6       Other Support

      to allocate balance of surplus (£160k) to reserve capital funding

The Chief Executive presented the report for Members of the Committee to consider proposals for the allocation of funding which have been presented at Council meetings since the start of 2022.

During the Member discussion Councillor Lock asked if the council was looking at ways to help Ukrainians settle in the Torridge District.

The Chief Executive confirmed that the council was working with partners across Devon to look at ways in which we can provide support and that the council was waiting to receive guidance for the schemes which the Government had announced.

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

Resolved:

That the forecast surplus be allocated as follows (as identified in the report):

2.1       Living Standards

a one-off grant of £12,000 for the financial year 2022-23 to CAB

a sum of £36,000 to provide a hardship funding

2.2       Housing

                        a sum of £25k to match fund the LGA grant of £25k

2.3       Health & well Being

      a one-off grant of £10,000 to Community Developers for 2022-23

a one-off grant of £12,000 to the High Flow Programme for 2022-23

2.4       Education & Skills

                        £50,000 Economic Development Reserve 

2.5       Economy & Regeneration

£15,000 to match fund (LGA Grant of £20,000) and NDC & Petroc funding of £15,000 (both the latter subject to their individual internal decision making)

2.6       Other Support

      to allocate balance of surplus (£160k) to reserve capital funding

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Head of Communities & Place

Councillor Dart declared a personal interest – business owner who had received grant funding

The purpose of the report was for Members to note the urgent decisions recently taken under the Council’s Urgency Procedure.

In accordance with the Constitution there is a requirement for decisions to be reported to the next appropriate Community & Resources Committee explaining the reason for the urgency.

The Committee noted the report.

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 James, seconded by Councillor Hodson 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.

(Vote:  For 10, Abstentions 1)

To receive the report of the Public Health & Housing Manager

Resolved:

That the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

The Public Health & Housing Manager gave a detailed and confidential update on Temporary Accommodation.

Prior to the discussion Councillor Brenton declared a prejudicial interest, left the meeting, and took no part in the debate and decision making.

Following a lengthy discussion and consideration of the report by Members,

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

Resolved:

That the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

(Vote: For - Unanimous)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 (AS AMENDED)

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

Resolved: That the press and public be readmitted.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)