Agenda item

Written Notice of Motion from Councillor Christie and Councillor Brenton

That TDC do not sell any part of the Westward Ho! Park area.

Written Notice of Motion from Councillor Christie and Councillor Brenton

That TDC do not sell any part of the Westward Ho! Park area.

Councillor Brenton moved to suspend standing orders in order to allow sufficient time to fully debate proposals for the Westward Ho! park.  He was advised by the Chair that, under Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, Section A5, there was no provision to suspend the procedural rules.  He went on to clarify that the Constitution stipulated that the Councillor who had submitted the notice of motion would be given the opportunity to explain its purpose; the Chair would then establish whether there was a seconder and the vote would be taken whether to refer the notice of motion to the appropriate committee, in this case Community & Resources.

Councillor Christie called a point of order, questioning why the motion had to go back to Community & Resources.  The Chair reiterated that this was the procedure.  Objections were raised and procedures discussed.  It was noted that Councillors who had signed the petition had been sent an e-mail from the Solicitor regarding the guidance around declarations of interest which Members should be mindful of at all times.  Councillor Brenton declared that he was not pre-determined and called for the Authority not to sell the park.

The Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Brenton and seconded by Councillor Simmons who opined that Torridge District Council had neglected its parks and respect should be given to the petition. 

Councillor Christie set out the issues he had with the proposals to sell the park:

·         Need - Did Westward Ho! need more housing? Did Torridge District Council need any more money?

·         Equality of treatment  – Bideford will be getting a skate park and maybe a sports hub;. Holsworthy had had an upgrade to Stanhope Park and Ward Councillors and residents sought support for the play park in Calf Street in Torrington but for Westward Ho! the plans were to sell the park off.

·         Planning  -  Reference was made to the national Planning Policy Framework, under the section on Healthy and Safe Communities, which guides Councils to guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services.  This document overruled TDC.

·         Public Perception – The public will see Torridge as an uncaring and money fixated council.

A recorded vote was requested and supported by more than five Members as required by the Constitution.

The Chair stated that Councillors were asked to decide whether the motion should be referred to the appropriate committee, in this case Community & Resources, and the votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was carried.

The Chair confirmed that the motion will be considered at the next meeting of the Community & Resources Committee to be held on 15 October at 6.30 in the Town Hall, Bideford and that the meeting will be open to the public.