Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L Bright, with Councillor C Wheatley present as substitute.

It was proposed by Councillor C Leather, seconded by Councillor L Piper and –

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 16^th September 2024 be signed as a true record.

(Vote: For – 9, Against – 0, Abstentions – 3).

Public contributions in accordance with the current scheme.  (The deadline for registering  to speak is by 2pm Thursday 17^th October 2024. To register please email dem.services@torridge.gov.uk).

There was one public speaker.

Councillor P Cloak of Great Torrington Town Council and Mayor of Great Torrington addressed the Committee regarding the Great Torrington street naming dispute and the proposed names for the new development. He emphasised the importance of relevant and meaningful names and suggested that developers liaise with local Councillors on such matters.

Members requested clarification on the ownership of a former factory located on the site. Councillor P Cloak confirmed that the factory was owned by the late ‘Mr Cawthorne’.

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.

The Chair brought forward a request from the Harbour Board Working Group, proposing that the group have occasional in-person meetings. Members agreed.

To receive the report of the Estates Support Officer.

RESOLVED:

That Meadow View be approved as a new street name in Great Torrington Parish.

(Vote: For – 10, Against -0, Abstentions – 2)

That Babbage be approved as a new street name in Great Torrington Parish.

(Vote: For – 10, Against – 0, Abstentions – 2)

That Cawthorne Drive be removed and replaced with Babbage and then the remaining new street names (Commons and Valley) to be referred back to Great Torrington Town Council for the final decision on the suffix.

(Vote: For – unanimous)  

The Estates Support Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to request that the committee resolve the disagreement between the parish council and the developer by choosing 3 names for the new streets referenced in the report.

The Estates Support Officer also informed Members that this was phase 1 of the development and further applications would be made for the additional streets being built later in the development.

Slides of the development were shown to the committee.

Following the presentation Councillor R Lock proposed the street name, Meadow View, which was seconded by Councillor D Brenton.

A discussion took place where Members commented on the suitability of the name ‘Cawthorne Drive’. Concerns were raised regarding the historical significance of the name, with reference to the former meat factory and how this might impact the community.

In response to a suggestion that the decision be delegated to Great Torrington Town Council, the Estates Support Officer stipulated policy reasons as to why the dispute had resulted in the requirement of a final decision from the Community & Resources Committee.

Clarification was also given that there is currently no requirement for developers to liaise with the Parish Council beforehand.  

Replying to the option of ‘Bright Way’, named after Councillor C Bright, the Estates Support Officer instructed that this is not possible under the General Data Protection Regulations as the individual is living.

The Chair confirmed he was consulted as Lead Member of Economy.

Councillor P Hames questioned if the Committee could substitute the Cawthorne name? The Estates Support Officer verified that it was within the remit of the Committee to substitute a name, however, added that if the suggested name was not in the report, he would have to validate the name before it was accepted. 

Therefore, Councillor P Hames proposed that Cawthorne Drive be replaced with Babbage, subject to validation, this was seconded by Councillor D Brenton.

The Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) provided clarification on the Street Naming Policy following a death.

Councillor C Leather proposed that all 4 names in the report recommended by Great Torrington Town Council be approved.

Councillor L Piper put forward the proposal that Cawthorne be replaced with Babbage, subject to validation and the use of Commons, Meadow and Valley to be agreed between Great Torrington Town Council and the developer. This proposal was seconded by Councillor C Wheatley, however as the discussion continued and other proposals came forward Councillor L Piper withdrew his proposal and Councillor C Wheatley withdrew as the seconder.

As a proposal had already been made to use Babbage instead of Cawthorne Drive, Councillor C Leather amended his proposal to remove Cawthorne Drive yet keep the 3 other names and refer to Great Torrington Town Council to agree the remaining suffixes. This was seconded by Councillor A Dart.

It was proposed by Councillor P Hames, seconded by Councillor D Brenton and –

RESOLVED:

That Babbage be approved as a new street name in Great Torrington Parish.

(Vote: For – 10,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 473.

To receive the report of the Lead Licensing Officer.

RESOLVED:

That the revised fees for pavement license applications be approved.

(Vote: For – unanimous)

The Lead Licencing Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to review and update the fees for pavement licences due to changes made by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

A brief discussion took place where the Lead Licensing Officer confirmed the license is for a two-year period.

In response to a query, the Lead Licensing Officer advised that legislation allows for the pavement license to overrule the Public Space Protection Order, however, if the conditions of the license are not adhered to then TDC have enforcement powers to revoke the license.  

It was proposed by Councillor D Brenton, seconded by Councillor C Leather and -

RESOLVED:

That the revised fees for pavement license applications be approved.

(Vote: For – unanimous)

To receive the report of the Lead Ranger.

RESOLVED:

That the revised proposal for tree planting and the creation of a community woodland at Gatefield amenity grassland be approved.

(Vote: For – 11, Against – 0, Abstentions – 1)

The Lead Ranger presented the report, the purpose of which was for Members to consider tree planting at Gatefield amenity grassland to create a community woodland following public consultation.

A discussion took place.

In response to a question regarding the area committed for tree planting, the Lead Ranger specified the 10,000 target is to cover the whole of the North Devon Biosphere not just TDC area and that planting trees less intensively, with more space between them means a higher survival rate.

During the discussion Councillor T Tinsley move the recommendation in the report which was seconded by Councillor J Whittaker.

As Lead Member for Climate Change, Councillor P Hames congratulated all those involved in the project.

It was questioned if sites outside of Bideford had been considered and confirmed that a lack of time and resources had hindered further sites being examined. However, the Lead Ranger advised that consideration would be taken in the future.

The Lead Ranger explained how the woodland would be managed and maintained and provided information on the volunteer schemes currently operating. He also confirmed advice and guidance would be taken from Parklife CIC.

Reference was made to Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitat Banks and how the Council should capitalise on the opportunities these present. The Chief Executive referred to the report presented at Community & Resources in April 2024 and the decision made by the Committee.

It was proposed by Councillor T Tinsley, seconded by Councillor J Whittaker and -

RESOLVED:

That the revised proposal for tree planting and the creation of a community woodland at Gatefield amenity grassland approved. 

(Vote: For – 11, Against – 0, Abstentions – 1)

To receive the report of the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer).

RESOLVED:

That the Household Support Fund 6 be approved.

(For – unanimous)

The Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) presented the report, the purpose of which was for Members to approve the implementation of Household Support Fund 6.

A discussion commenced where the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) confirmed communication channels and referral methods and the qualifying criteria for the fund.

In response to a request for literature for Members to distribute to groups promoting this fund, the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) confirmed she would email a flyer to Members following the meeting and the Household Support Fund would be an item on the upcoming Area Advisory Group meetings. To an additional query she also confirmed that TDC have a full-time officer dedicated to this project and the group, Encompass, assist in administering the fund.   

Confirmation was given on the consequences of the fund not being utilised within the timeframe, however, the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) assured Members all the previous Household Support Funds had been spent.

Following comments made regarding the need for improved communication to encourage people to claim, the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) confirmed how the fund is publicised and emphasised the need for Members to promote the fund as well, especially if they knew of individuals in need.

The Chair supported the comments made by the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer), commending work she had carried out and stated that if the Household Support Fund 6 is approved then TDC can move forward with promoting the fund.

In response to a comment implying TDC use information already held from the Department for Work & Pensions to reach out to those most vulnerable, the Head of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) advised that TDC have a strict agreement with the Department for Work & Pensions that information held is only allowed to be used to administer TDC benefits. 

It was proposed by Councillor D Brenton, seconded by Councillor L Piper and -

RESOLVED:

That the Household Support Fund 6 be approved.

(For – unanimous)

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.