Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Harding, with Councillor L Bach present as substitute.

Confirmation of the minutes from the meeting held on the 4^th March 2025.

It was proposed by Councillor C Hodson, seconded by Councillor S Inch and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4^th March 2025 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For – 7, Against – 0, Abstentions - 3)

Members discussed and updated the Action List.

Councillor T Johns entered the meeting at 10.04am.

A 15-minute period for public contributions.  (The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Friday . To register please email dem.services@torridge.gov.uk).

There were no public contributions.

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.

The Chair notified Members that she had asked the Head of Legal and Governance (& Monitoring Officer) for Member training. In response to a question, the Head of Legal and Governance (& Monitoring Officer) agreed to circulate training dates when they are confirmed.

Members were positively informed that Mr Harper will remain on the Committee as a Non-Elected Representative.

There were no Part II items.

It was proposed by Councillor C Hodson, seconded by Councillor D Smith and –

Resolved:

That the agenda, as circulated, be agreed.

(Vote: For – Unanimous).

To receive an introduction from the Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager.

The Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager presented the item, the purpose of which was to outline the structure and the workings of the Committee.

The presentation included information on:

·         The Powers of the Committee

·         The Constitution

·         The Call-in process

·         Ways of Working

·         Work Programming Opportunities

·         Quarterly Business Report (QBR) – Themes

·         Performance Management Cycle

·         Annual Trend Analysis

With reference to the QBRs, Members were reminded to submit questions in advance of the relevant meeting.

Overall, Members noted the introductory information.

To be presented by the Chair.

The Chair informed the Committee that there would be an alteration to the agenda; the Car Parking Update was presented prior to the Work Programme.

The Chair presented the item, the purpose of which was for Members to review the Forward Plan and the ‘Keep Under Review’ section.

A lengthy discussion occurred. The Chair reiterated that Members should submit QBR questions in advance of the relevant meetings to ensure a detailed Officer response. Members were informed that the deadline to submit QBR questions is included in the email sent out by Democratic Services.

The Committee noted that the meeting on the 22^nd of July 2025 is scheduled for 6.00pm, and Members questioned if this could be changed. The Chief Executive reminded Members that as per the Annual General Meeting on the 19^th May 2025, Full Council approved a change to the Constitution regarding the rescheduling of Committee meetings. Therefore, the meeting time was not changed. In response to a question, the Chief Executive explained that the Town Hall will be used to hold meetings until the end of July 2025.

The Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager confirmed that a date has not yet been arranged for the planned maintenance aspect of the Asset Management Plan to be brought back to the Committee. The Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager agreed to discuss this with the Estates Manager.

Members were made aware that the Enforcement Plan has been added to the meeting on the 22^nd of July 2025.

The Committee discussed the Estuary Strategy consultation. Members questioned if the Council would accept late submissions to the consultation, and the Chief Executive outlined that there would still be opportunity for Member input.

The Chair questioned if an update on the Estuary Strategy could be brought back to the Committee sooner than the 13^th of January 2026.  The Head of Legal and Governance (& Monitoring Officer) explained that the consultation period has ended, and that the Harbour Board Working Group will most likely take a report to the Community and Resources Committee regarding the responses. Any decisions made at this Committee could be called-in by the Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Chair agreed to find out further information on the Estuary Strategy following the close of the consultation and circulate this to Members.

Members noted that the Reserves Policy would be removed from the ‘Keep Under Review’ list.

Following on, the Committee were asked if there were additional items to be added. Members discussed the Council’s management of large projects, as identified in the Peer Review. The Chief Executive explained that the recommendations from the Peer Review were reported at Full Council and approved.

The Committee agreed that the Communications Plan for Listed Buildings be removed from the ‘Keep Under Review’ list.

Members suggested that the ‘Keep Under Review’ list be regularly updated and items marked complete where necessary.

Following on, the Committee referred to the Task and Finish Group meetings, and the Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager stated that an update  ...  view the full minutes text for item 397.

To receive a presentation from the Parking Services Supervisor.

The Car Parking Supervisor and the Estates Manager presented the item, the purpose of which was to update Members on data and trends from TDC car parks.

The presentation included information on:

·         Data from TDC car parks from 2022/23 – 2025/26

·         Tariff Increases

·         Income

·         Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Revenue

·         Payment Methods – Cash, Card and RingGo

·         National Parking Platform

·         New Ticket Machines

·         Experimental charging period extension to 7.00pm in Westward Ho!

·         Inflation

The Estates Manager congratulated the Car Parking Team for their work. Briefly, Members noted the termination of the Electric Vehicle (EV) contract with Equans, and that the Council are currently tendering for new EV investment.

A discussion occurred. In response to a question, the Car Parking Supervisor advised that it would not be viable for the Council to collect the cash from ticket machines due to the need for new employees and vehicles. Members noted the benefit of the current contract with Loomis. However, the Car Parking Supervisor informed the Committee of the potential move towards cashless car parks in the next two to three years.

The Car Parking Supervisor reiterated that it is not practical for the Council to manage cash collection internally. Due to the weight of the cash, required security measures, and insurance considerations, this would necessitate the purchase of a new van. Additionally, existing staff would need training and face challenges handling cash on Council premises.

Following on, Members questioned if the Car Parking Supervisor had information regarding costs and profit. The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) explained that the contribution of car parks to the Council’s income could be circulated after the meeting. 

The Committee questioned if the contract with Loomis would go out to tender. The Car Parking Supervisor explained that the contract was extended last year, and emphasised the limited availability of local companies. Members were informed that the contract has been in place for the last four years, and is due to be renewed in October, with a slight price increase expected. Nonetheless, the Car Parking Supervisor outlined that the contract could go out to tender, but it would likely end up costing the Council more.

The discussion moved onto the topic of Blue Badge car parking spaces in the Westward Ho! Main long stay car park. The Car Parking Supervisor explained that there is no current legislation indicating a minimum or maximum amount of Blue Badge spaces, albeit the Council added an additional Blue Badge space in this car park last year. The Car Parking Supervisor explained that more of these bays can be added, but this could deter other car park users. The historic issues of Nelson and Golf Links Roads were raised.

Councillor L Bach proposed that Blue Badge parking bays be increased in the Westward Ho! Main long stay car park.

Members questioned if the Council has software to identify trends or sensitivities in car parking data. The Car Parking Supervisor explained that the Council does not currently have this type of software, but highlighted the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 398.

To receive an update from the Chair.

The Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager presented the item, the purpose of which was for Members to note updates to the Task and Finish Group.

The Committee were informed that no meetings have been scheduled yet. The Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager asked if a new Member would join the group, in place of Councillor Newton, who has left the Committee.

Councillor S Gibson volunteered to join Councillor C Hodson, Mr Dengate and Councillor W Lo-Vel in the Task and Finish Group.

The Strategy, Performance & ICT Manager agreed to arrange the first group meeting, and the Chair requested that a timeline be set for this. Members were informed that the first meeting will hopefully be in the first few weeks of July.

To review the Forward Plan.

The Forward Plan was reviewed and updated earlier in the meeting.