Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chair welcomed Councillor Tinsley to the Committee.

An apology for absence was received from Staci Dorey, Head of Legal & Governance (& Monitoring Officer).

Councillor Hames stated that in order to be transparent and democratic this Committee should include all Group Leaders and hoped this would be resolved at the next Full Council meeting.   

Councillor Brenton advised that following the last Full Council meeting, an agreement had been reached for the Independents too lose one of their Members temporarily to ensure all Groups are represented on this Committee.  He expressed his disapproval at an email sent following that meeting, which stated that three of the Groups would stick to the status quo. Following further comments made, the Chief Executive advised it is a Full Council matter and not a matter to be discussed at this Committee.

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

Resolved:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2024 be signed as a correct record.

(Vote:  For 10, Abstentions 2)

Public contributions in accordance with the current scheme.  (The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Thursday 30 May 2024. 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.

The Chair informed Members that Agenda items 9 and 14 had been deferred.

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

Resolved:

That the Agenda as circulated, subject to the above amendments, be agreed.

(For – Unanimous)

There were no urgent matters brought forward.

To receive the report and Appendices of the Head of Communities & Place

Resolved:

That the recommendation of Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee to endorse the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Adaptation Strategy be approved.

The purpose of the report, presented by the Head of Communities & Place, was for Members to receive a recommendation from Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Adaptation Strategy.

During the discussion comments/concerns raised included:

·         Councillor Pennington disputed the agricultural figures for Devon and Cornwall set out in the Strategy and questioned how the writers of the report had arrived at those figures.  Councillor James reported that when the Strategy had been considered at the previous Community & Resources Committee, concerns had been raised in relation to the disclaimer suggesting that RSK writers of the report, would not standby the information in the report.   This he said was not acceptable.

·         Councillor James was concerned to note that within the report there was no reference or information in relation to Torridge.   In terms of flood risk and coastal erosion these are big issues for the area, as is the rise in sea levels at Westward Ho!

The Chief Executive explained that Members should be considering the report to either go with the previous decision by this Committee to note the document or to endorse the document as recommended by Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  If the vote to endorse fails and the decision is to note, it will go to Full Council for consideration.

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

Resolved:

That the recommendation of Internal Overview & Scrutiny Committee to endorse the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Adaptation Strategy be approved.

(Vote:  For 7, Against 5)

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

This item had been deferred.

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 Leather and –

Resolved:

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 1 and paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(Vote:  For - Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Public Health and Community Safety Manager

Resolved:

That additional exceptional grant funding to meet the shortfall of funding for this case be approved.

The public Health and Community Safety Manager presented the report, the purpose of which was to seek approval for up to £10,000 additional ‘exceptional’ funding in order to deliver a Disabled adaptation – as set out in section 10 of Torridge District Council’s Housing Assistance Policy for the Better Care Fund (BCF).

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

Resolved:

That additional exceptional grant funding to meet the shortfall of funding for this case be approved.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)

To receive the report of the Head of Communities & Place

Resolved:

That Officers be authorised to acquire the property at a cost not exceeding £320k.

The Major Projects Manager presented the report, the purpose of which was to obtain Member support for the purchase of an additional residential property.

Prior to the presentation of the report, the Major Projects Manager informed the Committee of the following update:

“Following publication of the report, further renovation works have been identified.  The further works will involve an increase in renovation costs of £20-£25k.  This to be reflected in the purchase price”.

During the debate and following an enquiry raised, the Major Projects Manager explained where on the site the additional works are required and confirmed the remainder of the property/site was not in any way affected.  Clarification was given on the reasons why the Authority would want to acquire this property and the history to the whole site.

Given that the figures stated in the report had changed, the Committee requested an amendment to the recommendation.

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

Resolved:

That Officers be authorised to acquire the property at a cost not exceeding £320k.

(Vote:  For – Unanimous)

Report to follow

The item had been deferred.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 (AS AMENDED)

It was proposed by Councillor Leather, seconded by Councillor Whittaker and –

Resolved:

That the press and public be readmitted.

(Vote:  For - Unanimous)