Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Shepherd, Councillor Hodson and the Head of Legal and Governance ( & Monitoring Officer) for Torridge District Council.

Confirmation of the Minutes for the meeting held on 04 June 2025.

It was proposed by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Brenton and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 04 June 2025 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For 5, Abstentions 2)

15 minute period for public contributions. The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm on Monday 14 July 2025.

None.

Members with interests should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is considered.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

No items.

None received.

An opportunity to hear from the Chief Executive and Programme Delivery Manager for North Devon Plus.

The Head of Communities and Place for Torridge District Council declared an interest as the Co-Chief Executive of North Devon Plus.

The Co-Chief Executive and Programme Delivery Manager for North Devon Plus went on to provide members with a detailed presentation, summarised below.

The Co-Chief Executive provided an overview of the North Devon Plus structure, highlighting it’s public/private partnership model, the composition of the Board, and the  areas of expertise within the organisation. Members were informed about the organisation’s extensive experience in supporting local development, particularly in agriculture and strategic bid writing.

The Programme Delivery Manager went on to outline North Devon Plus achievements since 2015, including support for over 4,880 small businesses, despite operating with a small team of just seven members, including two recently appointed agricultural advisors.

Further details were shared about the business support and project management programmes that had been offered to small businesses and start-ups. Since the end of EU funding, North Devon Plus had successfully secured a portion of the Shared Prosperity Fund, which enabled the continuation of bespoke advisory services.

The Co-Chief Executive explained how funding had been managed to maintain free services for users, noting the role of the £20,000 annual contributions from Torridge and North Devon District Councils, which had remained unchanged since 2014. Members asked how current funding compared to the historic EU funding North Devon Plus used to receive, and it was confirmed that funding was now significantly lower, requiring the organisation to adapt accordingly.

The discussion then moved on to the variety of Grant Investment Programmes. During discussion the Rural Prosperity Fund was highlighted, which had seen increased demand for net-zero initiatives like solar panels and energy generation.

Members were also advised that North Devon Plus, in collaboration with West Devon Business Information Points and the DR Company, had also been instrumental in helping farmers access new agricultural grant schemes. It was confirmed that the initiative had reached 480 farms in Devon and 126 in Cornwall and had been extended for another year due to a 12-month extension of the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Members were also briefed on North Devon Plus’s work in Clean Maritime and Green Energy. The Clean Maritime and Green Energy Officer role, which supported both Torridge and North Devon District Councils, was explained in detail. Projects supported by this role included the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, the Green Hydrogen Routemap, Floating Offshore Wind initiatives, and the Aquaculture Strategy.  In response to a query about the salary, it was confirmed that the role had been funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund and income generated by the post.

The Programme Delivery Manager concluded with a summary of strategic support and bid writing activities, including collaboration with Torridge District Council on the Levelling Up Funding Partnership Programme, where North Devon Plus had taken on a governance role in project management, monitoring, and evaluation.

Members were asked for their questions.

Following a question regarding support available for small and high street businesses, the Programme Delivery Manager  ...  view the full minutes text for item 317.

To review the Annual Report for External Overview & Scrutiny Committee 2024-25.

Chair introduced the Annual Report and asked members if there were any comments. 

Following a brief discussion it was proposed by Councillor Bach, seconded by Councillor Wheatley and –

Resolved:

That the Annual Update be approved and taken to Full Council.

(Vote: For Unanimous)

To review the action list.

Chair reviewed the action list with members and the following updates were provided:

• Action 220 – Representatives from Devon County Council have agreed to attend the External Committee planned for September.

• Action 307 – Bideford Town Council interest will be followed up by Democratic Services. TTVS and DALC have been contacted and Members to promote the vacancies for Parish Representatives at their Parish and Town Councils.

To review the forward plan.

Following a detailed discussion on the forward plan the following was suggested:

• That the new Executive Officer for Libraries Unlimited be invited to Committee.

• Democratic Services were asked to contact the relevant DCC officer and Councillor Cottle-Hunkin (DCC Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband) to discuss an item on  rural delivery of Broadband.

• Members requested that colleagues from Health were invited to Committee to discuss the Bideford Hospital Site and community hubs.

• That  South West Water be invited  to Committee to discuss sewerage in Bucks Mills. 

• That an invitation be extended to RLNI in terms of their TDC contract and coastal water safety.