Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor W Lo-Vel, Councillor S Newton and Councillor P Shepherd.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on the 24^th February 2025 – Budget Special.

It was proposed by Councillor K James, seconded by Councillor P Hackett and -

Resolved:  

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 24^th February 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(Vote: For – 25, Against – 0, Abstentions - 5)

15 minute period for public contributions. The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Thursday 13^th March. To register please email dem.services@torridge.gov.uk

There were no public contributions.

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

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 outlined that item 18, the Holsworthy Leisure Centre Renovation, Investment and Decarbonisation Progress Report (Pages 91 – 97), would be a Part II item.

It was proposed by Councillor D Bushby, seconded by Councillor K James and –

Resolved:

That the Agenda, as published, be agreed.

(Vote: For – Unanimous).

No urgent matters were raised by the Chair.

To receive an update from Police Superintendent Toby Davies.

The Police Superintendent Toby Davies provided an update, the purpose of which was for Members to note his retirement and progress/ changes to Policing in Torridge.

The newly appointed Police Superintendent Emma Butler-Jones was introduced to the Committee.

The update included information on:

-       Core Handling

-       Crime Investigations and Management

-       Staffing and Challenges of Rurality

-       Senior Rank Review

-       Government Funding for Devon and Cornwall

-       Performance and Crime Statistics

-       Antisocial Behaviour

-       The extension of Hotspot Policing Funding in Bideford

-       CCTV and Increased Visibility

-       Councillor Advocate Scheme

-       The importance of Councillors in promoting the reporting process

A discussion occurred.

Members thanked Toby Davies and welcomed Emma Butler-Jones. The Committee supported the news of the extension of Hotspot Policing funding.

Members explained that the Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, has been invited to meet with the Council. Members addressed the issue of shoplifting in Bideford and suggested that they would like Alison Hernandez to meet with Councillors and traders to discuss this. The Police Superintendent expressed that the Police and Crime Commissioner regularly visits North Devon and encouraged Members to send further communication. Moreover, the Police Superintendent informed Councillors that there has been increased national attention around shoplifting and the reporting process. Members noted that if there is evidence of theft in Torridge, then it will be investigated. The Police Superintendent emphasised the importance of prevention through working with traders.

Following this, the Committee discussed changes to gun licences. The Police Superintendent discussed national constraints around gun licences due to recent events. Members were advised to email specific instances to the Police Superintendent for further examination.

The Committee discussed ‘road rage’ and questioned if there has been an increase in the number of instances reported. The Police Superintendent indicated that there has not been an increase, but explained that weekly meetings occur to identify patterns of crime.

In response to a question regarding Bideford Police Station, the Police Superintendent clarified that Members should contact the Police and Crime Commissioner for further information.

With reference to the protection of farmers, the Committee asked if there is a cyber security officer. The Police Superintendent explained that there are cyber security experts, alongside rural crime experts, which Emma Butler-Jones is heavily involved with. Emma Butler-Jones informed Members that the Rural Affairs team provide crime prevention advice and work with the cybersecurity team. Members were advised to make the Police aware of particular farms where there may be a cause for concern.

The Committee discussed the importance of PCSOs in Holsworthy and the relationship that they can establish with the Town Council. The Police Superintendent outlined that there is a newly-appointed tri-service officer (police, fire and ambulance) in Holsworthy, who will be asked to attend the next Parish/ Town Council meeting. The Police Superintendent recognised the benefit of the co-working between Councillors and PCSOs, and stated that there may be a cluster of PSCOs who divide their time between Torrington and Holsworthy.

Members were encouraged to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 418.

To receive an update from the Director of Strategy Katherine Allen.

The Chair explained that the presentation from the Royal North Devon Hospital University Trust on the development at NDDH would be deferred to the next Full Council meeting.

To receive an update from the Chief Executive.

Report to follow.

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive presented the report, the purpose of which was to present to Full Council an update of progress made responding to the Government’s Devolution White Paper and subsequent invitation letter from the Secretary of State on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The update included information on:

·         The letter from the Secretary of State

·         The deadline for the submission of interim proposals being Friday 21^st March 2025

·         The development of proposals, including a presentation slide on the initial 1:4:5 model of two new authorities

·         The 1:4:5 model being a preliminary suggestion intended to initiate discussions and is neither finalised nor certain

·         The necessity for proposals to focus on the whole of Devon, not just Torridge

·         The necessity of receiving key economic and social statistics to form proposals

·         The recommendations in the report

A discussion occurred.

Councillor P Hackett proposed to move the recommendations in the report, and was seconded by Councillor R Lock.

Members commended Councillor K James for his work and commitment to Local Government Reorganisation.

Councillor P Hames explained that he believes that there should be multiple, smaller authorities and put forward an alternative proposal:

‘This Council is concerned about the Government’s requirement that unitary authorities should serve a minimum of 300,000 people in rural counties with sparsely distributed populations, such as Devon. These authorities would be far too large to democratically represent communities and to allow for the distances which would need to be travelled by councillors, the public and officers in order to provide and access services and attend meetings. Furthermore the benefits of such large authorities are as yet unproven and have not been subject to public scrutiny. Given these concerns a combination of Torridge and North Devon Councils to form a smaller unitary authority makes more sense and it is proposed that this possibility should be investigated with full public consultation’.

Members raised concern with the 1:4:5 model and queried that alternative proposals may not be considered. The Committee questioned when future public consultation would occur, and the Leader of the Council outlined that the Central Government have not been clear on when this will occur.

The Committee discussed the proposition of a model with a ‘North-South’ divide across Devon, and the Leader of the Council expressed that capital is largely in South Devon, which could cause economic difficulties for the North. Members noted that key statistics from Devon County Council and the NHS will influence models, but emphasised that the expression of interest deadline is Friday 21^st March 2025.

Following on, the Chief Executive outlined that two consultation phases are expected. The Chief Executive reiterated that the 1:4:5 proposal requires critical data from upper tier authority services, which will be used to adapt and develop new models.

The Committee further raised issues with the model and highlighted concerns surrounding democracy and the representation of constituents in Torridge.

Councillor H Thomas seconded Councillor P Hames’s proposal.

Members expressed frustration at the short timeline, and the overall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 420.

To receive an update from the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

Report to follow.

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive presented the report, the purpose of which was to present to Full Council an update of progress made on the action plan following the Corporate Peer Challenge that took place at the end of April 2024.

The Chief Executive reminded Members that recommendations from the Peer Challenge were brought back to Full Council as an action plan. Members noted that group leaders have had continual meetings to oversee the delivery of the action plan.

The Levelling up Partnership, and the announcement of the Community Regeneration Partnership, were explained. The Chief Executive highlighted that group leaders have been working on the development of governance arrangements, and a governance report will be brought back to Full Council at a future meeting.

The Chief Executive outlined that the leadership team meetings have been replaced by member briefings. Moreover, the ‘golden triangle’ monthly meetings between the Chief Executive, the Head of Legal and Governance (& Monitoring Officer) and the Finance Manager (S151 Officer) are now taking place.

Following this, the Chief executive updated the Committee on changes to HR policies and communications, highlighting the various stages of progress per action.

The Leader of the Council addressed the configuration of the Member Budget Working Group and suggested that alterations may be required.

With reference to the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre (ACMIC), the Committee noted that the Council are starting to receive national recognition.

The Committee noted the recommendations in the report.

To receive a report from the Planning Manager.

The Planning Manager and the Planning Policy Team Leader presented the report, the purpose of which was for Members to consider the responses to the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy and its subsequent amendment and adoption.

The update included information on:

·         The responses from the draft Housing Strategy following an 8-week consultation period

·         Details regarding an online questionnaire

·         The broad support for the strategy as a whole, its scope, vision, aims and objectives

·         The negative feedback concerning the length and ambitions of the strategy, concerns surrounding local needs and affordable housing, unused land and the need for developers to be held to account

·         Amendments to the Housing Strategy following the consultation

The Committee commended Officers for their work, and emphasised that social housing is integral to the Housing Strategy for meeting local needs.

Members queried the expiration of the Empty Homes Strategy in 2015, and the Planning Manager informed the Committee that the planning department do not deal with this. Members acknowledged that empty homes are a complex issue, and Councillor C Hodson reassured Members that this would be reviewed in the Housing Strategy.

Briefly, the Committee discussed planning restrictions surrounding the change of use for holiday homes.

It was proposed by Councillor C Hodson, seconded by Councillor T Tinsley and –

Resolved:

·         The Council agrees to adopt the Housing Strategy in its amended form (as set out at Appendix 2), reflecting the outcomes of the public consultation (as summarised at Appendix 1); and

·         The Council delegates authority to the Lead Member for Housing, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive, to establish a task and finish group to Support the development of the Delivery Plan and its subsequent implementation.

(Vote: For – Unanimous).

To receive a report from the Economic Development Manager.

The Economic Development Manager presented the report, the purpose of which was to seek approval for the Torridge District Council Shared Prosperity Fund investment plan for 2025 – 26.

The update provided information on:

·         The continuation of existing projects

·         Strategic Commitments

·         A focus on deliverability and creating impacts

·         The use of the Economic Regeneration Reserve to fund three additional projects: Water Quality Design Year, Inward Investment and Screen Devon.

A brief discussion occurred.

In response to a question regarding the business boost project, the Economic Development Manager clarified that all registered businesses, if they meet the relevant criteria, can qualify for this. The Head of Communities and Place outlined that pre-business startups will not be supported as they can receive separate funding from North Devon Plus. The Chair of the External Overview and Scrutiny Committee informed Members that after a recent ‘Arts Special’ Committee meeting, a local artist was referred to this business support and found it very beneficial.

It was proposed by Councillor K James, seconded by Councillor D Smith and –

Resolved:

·         That the revised Shared Prosperity Fund investment plan priorities for 2025 - 2026 intervention themes for delivery be approved.

·         That the appropriate alterations be made to the Capital Programme to reflect the altered capital priorities for the 2025 – 2026 investment plan be approved.

·         That delegated authority to the Chief Executive for decisions under the value of £20,000 where future changes need to be made within the investment plan be approved.

·         That the allocation of £20,000 from the Economic Regeneration Reserve to deliver activities for Inward Investment, Water quality and Screen Devon projects be approved.

(Vote: For – Unanimous).

There were no questions submitted under Procedural Rule A9.

To receive petitions (if any)

There were no petitions.

There were no notices of motion.

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972”

It was proposed by Councillor K James, seconded by Councillor R Lock and –

Resolved:

That the meeting enter the Part II session.

(Vote: For- Unanimous).

Items which may be taken in the absence of the public and press on the grounds that exempt information may be disclosed.

To receive the report of the Major Projects Manager.

The Major Projects Manager presented the report and provided an update to the Committee.

It was proposed by Councillor K James, seconded by Councillor K Hepple and –

Resolved:

That Members approve the recommendations in the report.

(Vote: For – Unanimous).

Following this, Members voted to exit the Part II session.

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

Resolved:

That the meeting come out of Part II and close.

(Vote: For – Unanimous).