Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX. View directions

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 345 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

(Executive Member for Leisure and Green Spaces did not vote as he had not attended the meeting)

 

2.

Declarations of Interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

 

3.

Executive Forward Plan

To note forthcoming decisions anticipated on the Executive Forward Plan

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan be noted.

 

4.

Initial Financial Plan Proposals 2022/23 TO 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources presented the report to consider the initial financial plan proposals 2022/23 to 2024/25. He advised that the proposals included a council tax rise of £5, which equated to 2.78% which was below the Devon average.

 

The Leader thanked officers for all their work during these difficult times and bringing a balanced budget for members to consider.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that it approves the council tax base of 49,633 for 2022/23 at appendix 2 of the circulated report.

 

The vote was unanimous.

 

5.

Beachcomber - Granting of Lease pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Corporate Services presented the report which sought approval for the Head of Place and Commercial Services to grant a lease of the former Beachcomber Restaurant for a term of up to 25 years.

 

RESOLVED delegated authority be given to the Head of Place and Commercial Services to grant a new lease of up to 25 years on such terms as he in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Services considered appropriate.

 

The vote was unanimous.

 

6.

Notice of Motion - moving with the times - 21st Century Councils

For the Executive to consider their response to the Notice of Motion on the Virtual Council meetings submitted by the Leader to the   Full Council on 30th November, 2021,

 

The temporary enabling of virtual council meetings in response to the coronavirus pandemic allowed the council to continue making democratic decisions efficiently, transparently and safely without the need for physical meetings in one place. We welcomed the return to in-person meetings where they can safely and efficiently take place, but also recognise the benefits to democracy of providing flexible meeting options, including opening up local democratic decision-making and creating a more accessible experience for councillors and the public.

The council notes in particular the following advantages of being able to hold remote and hybrid council meetings:

1) Some councillors and prospective councillors have work or caring commitments, or mobility or accessibility issues limiting their ability to attend meetings in person. Virtual meeting options provide more flexibility and accessibility for councillors to attend council meetings. In the future, this flexibility and increased accessibility could help to attract a wider range of potential councillors.

2) Many councillors have to travel a long distance from their homes to the council meeting place. This can make it more difficult for councillors to attend every meeting they would wish to attend. In addition, long travel time for short meetings may not be the most efficient use of councillor time; remote attendance on occasion may help maintain high levels of councillor attendance and be more efficient.

3) This council acknowledges the challenges around climate change. For example, a reduction in unnecessary travel by attending some meetings virtually rather than driving would reduce emissions and cut down on the council’s carbon footprint.

4) Virtual meetings can save money for the council in terms of travel expenses and venue costs.

5) Some councillors are also councillors for other councils in the area, and virtual meetings options can help them attend more meetings, even meetings taking place on the same day. This increases engagement in the various tiers of government, which is an advantage for this council and others affected.

6) Providing virtual meeting options can make council meetings more accessible and produce better engagement from the public and the press on various issues. For example, reporting of council business increased when meetings were held virtually compared to when council meetings must be attended in person by journalists and members of the public.

This council would like to have the flexibility to hold virtual, hybrid and in-person meetings to suit the local context and needs of residents and councillors.

This council resolves to:

1) Write to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) urging a permanent amendment to the meeting rules set out in the Local Government Act 1972 be enabling local authorities to hold virtual, hybrid or physical meetings

2) Write to the Members of Parliament serving Teignbridge to ask for support for this flexible approach to council meetings.

3) Continue to explore the use of technology  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader in presenting the Notice of Motion on the enabling of virtual council meetings stated that council would like to have the flexibility to hold virtual, hybrid and in-person meetings to suit the local context and needs of residents and councillors.

In response to a Member, the Leader stated that reference would be made to medical safety when writing to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Members of Parliament.

RECOMMENDED that Full Council:-

 

(1)  Write to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) urging a permanent amendment to the meeting rules set out in the Local Government Act 1972 be enabling local authorities to hold virtual, hybrid or physical meetings;

 

(2)  Write to the Members of Parliament serving Teignbridge to ask for support for this flexible approach to council meetings; and

 

(3) Continue to explore the use of technology to develop online meetings to attract a wider audience once our request has been successful.

 

The vote was unanimous.

 

 

7.

Play Area Refurbishment - Ashburton Road Newton Abbot pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Leisure and Green Spaces presented the report which sought approval for the capital expenditure of Section 106 funding to refurbish play provision at Ashburton Road, Newton Abbot.

 

A non-Executive Member commented that he hoped that local resident’s requests regarding the refurbishment were considered.

 

The Executive Member for Climate Change, Coastal Protection and Flooding stated that the equipment would reflect the feedback from the Council’s annual parks and open spaces survey which was collected from users.

 

Members noted that consideration would be given to some additional planting on the roadside boundary although for safety reasons it allow for good visibility of those using the park.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)      Capital expenditure of £150k to be funded from Section 106

Contributions be approved, for refurbishment works as outlined in this report for the Play area at Ashburton Road, Newton Abbot; and

 

(2)      Delegated authority be given to the Head of Operational Services, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and Executive Member for Leisure and Green Spaces be granted to accept the most economically advantageous tender for the works.

 

The vote was unanimous.