Agenda and minutes

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2016.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Dezart and –

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 September be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For 3, Abstentions 1)

Matters Arising From The Minutes

6. The Chair asked the Senior Solicitor to add Liaison with Parish and Town Councils to the next meeting Agenda so an update can be given on the agreed Actions from the Meeting on 7 September.

The Senior Solicitor agreed that this item would be added to the next Agenda.

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

The Chair asked that declarations of interest be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Brown, and -

Resolved: That the Agenda, as circulated, be agreed.

(Vote: For Unanimous)

There were no urgent matters brought forward.

To receive a report from the Senior Solicitor

Councillor Brown declared an interest and the Senior Solicitor clarified that she may make a representation in support of her application, but would need to leave the room and take no part in the discussion or vote.

The Senior Solicitor presented the report and drew Members attention to the two requests for dispensation received from the Councillors.

Councillor Brown addressed the Committee and explained the reasons for her request for dispensation.

Councillor Brown left the room.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Dezart and –

Resolved :

To grant a dispensation to Councillor Brown for both STITCH Group and North Devon Save Our Hospital Services (SOHS) and Councillor Simmons for SOHS, for a duration of 12 months, in order that Councillor Brown and Councillor Simmons may speak and vote on relevant matters; subject to the normal constraints.

(Vote: For 3)

To receive a report from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor reminded Members of the current arrangements relating to substitutions on to the Standards Committee.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that the scheme is subject to review by Full Council each year at the Annual General Meeting.

The current Substitution Scheme prevents substitutions in relation to the Standards Committee and Members were welcomed to discuss whether the current arrangement should be altered.

Members had a discussion on this and it was clear Members were happy for substitutions on the Standards Committee as long as the Member had the relevant training.

Councillor Langmead commented that the Licensing Committee works in a similar way in which there are three Members which are trained to substitute on the Licencing Committee if required and this currently works very well.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by the Chair and –

Resolved:

At the next Annual General Meeting recommend that substitutes should be allowed on the Standards Committee as long as the Member has had the relevant training.

(For Unanimous)

Liaison with Parish and Town Councils will be added to the next meeting Agenda.

The Chair to move :

That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Brown –

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the public be exclude from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of schedule 12A of the local Government Act 1972.

(Vote: For Unanimous)

To receive a report and appendices from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor provided a verbal update. It was agreed that the item be adjourned to a future meeting date.

The meeting returned to Part I and any press and public were readmitted.