Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

None.

To note forthcoming decisions anticipated on the Executive Forward Plan

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan be noted.

The following waivers were approved:

Additional work required from Azets to implement recommendations and develop policies for cyber security governance review for East Devon, Exeter, Teignbridge Councils and Strata.  Value : £34665 (£8666.25 each Council) 

Direct appointment of Ignite Consultancy to assist with the implementation of the Council’s new operating model.  Value : £26,400

Members noted the waivers.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources presented the report to consider the initial financial plan proposals 2023/24 to 2025/26 to be published for comments over the next six weeks. He advised that the proposals included a council tax rise of £5.54, which equated to 2.99% although Teignbridge District Council would be providing a one-off cost of living payment of £5.54 to all households liable to pay council tax on their main home on 1 April 2023 for 2023/24.

He clarified that the appointment of a Digital Transformation Manager was to facilitate the Modern 25 work which would deliver the automation of the majority of council services enabling the Council to address the future budget shortfall and to focus on its residents most in need.

Members thanked Officers for all their work in putting together the budget papers.

RECOMMENDED to Council that it approves the council tax base of 50,215 for 2023/24 at appendix 2 of the circulated report.

The vote was unanimous.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services presented the report which sought approval for the proposed changes to Council Tax premiums set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and to recommend the implementation of these premiums with effect from 1 April 2024 (subject to the Bill receiving Royal Assent). He proposed an amendment to recommendation (3) that it be in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

RECOMMENDED to Council that it approve:

(a)  The application of the current premium of 100% for all dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (empty dwellings) after 1 year instead of 2, with effect from 1^st April 2024;

(b)  The application of a premium of 100% for all dwellings which are unoccupied but substantially furnished with effect from 1^st April 2024; and

(c)   That the S151 Officer be given delegated powers in consultation with the relevant Executive Member to implement the policy in line with the Council’s requirements and any guidance given by the Secretary of State.

The vote was unanimous.

The Executive Member for Planning presented the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (2) recommendations to Members on the findings of the Planning Enforcement Review Group.

Members thanked the Members of the Task and Finish Group for their work on this matter. During discussion they proposed the following amendments and additions to the recommendations:-

·       Recommendation a) - The Executive Member to report back to Executive next month on the timeline for the Drone trial

·       Recommendation b) - Members to be updated on progress of the implementation of the recommendations via the Members Newsletter

·       The Chair of Planning Committee be asked to consider the suggestion of a Planning Enforcement matters report (Part II) on a quarterly basis

·       Business Manager - Development Management be asked to look at the viability and resourcing of virtual planning cafes for Town and Parish Councils specifically with regards to planning enforcement matters

·       The Executive Member for Planning to write to the relevant Government Minister regarding enforcement regulations

·       Officers be asked to expand on the Members enforcement notification report to state why no breach or no further action would be taken in each case.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 stated that the Executive Member for Planning could update the committee next week on the timelines for the implementation of the recommendations.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Planning Enforcement Task & Finish Group as set out in the report be approved with the following amendments:

a)  Recommendation 7 - Drone trial - the possible benefits of the use of drones be investigated further and consideration be given to identifying an operator to run a trial, the Executive Member for Planning to provide a verbal update at Executive’s next meeting;

b)  The following be added to Recommendation 9 – Review progress:

The Executive update the O&S2 at their next meeting following the February 2023 meeting on the progress of implementation of the recommendations and via the Members Newsletter;

c)   The Chair of Planning Committee be asked to consider the suggestion of a Planning Enforcement matters report (Part II) on a quarterly basis;

d) Business Manager - Development Management be asked to look at the viability and resourcing of virtual planning cafes for Town and Parish Councils specifically with regards to planning enforcement matters;

e)  The Executive Member for Planning to write to the relevant Government Minister regarding enforcement regulations; and

f)    Officers be asked to expand on the Members enforcement notification report to state why no breach or no further action would be taken in each case.

The vote was unanimous.

The following motion on a lasting memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II and acknowledging the accession of King Charles III has been presented by Cllr Bullivant and supported by Cllrs Jeffrey, Kerswell, Purser, Russell and Thorne to Council on 29 November 2022 and deferred to the Executive for consideration.

That this Council creates a lasting memorial to our late Queen Elizabeth II and acknowledges the accession of King Charles III by planting two trees (trees of appropriate size and type) in prominent and appropriate locations within the grounds of Old Forde House. One tree to the memory of Queen Elizabeth and one tree to commemorate the accession of King Charles.

Also, that all District Councillors are invited to meet the cost of acquiring and planting the trees through a contribution from their individual community funds.

Cllr Bullivant presented his Notice of Motion for a lasting memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II and that acknowledged the accession of King Charles III.

RECOMMENDED to Council that this Council creates a lasting memorial to our late Queen Elizabeth II and acknowledges the accession of King Charles III by planting two trees (trees of appropriate size and type) in prominent and appropriate locations within the grounds of Old Forde House. One tree to the memory of Queen Elizabeth and one tree to commemorate the accession of King Charles. The cost of acquiring and planting the trees be funded by unspent Councillor Community Funds (when the scheme closes at the end of February 2023) and if required through other budget savings in this financial year.

An invitation be extended to the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, the Royal Household, the Districts Town Mayors and the Chairs of the Town and Parish Councils to attend the tree planting ceremony.

RECOMMENDED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources presented the report regarding the lease of Bitton Park and Milford Park to Teignmouth Rugby Football Club Limited. He proposed an amendment that recommendation (3) be in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources and Executive Member for Sport, Recreation and Culture.

RESOLVED that the recommendation as outlined in the circulated report with the amendment to (3) that it be in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Services and Executive Member for Sport, Recreation and Culture be approved.

The vote was unanimous.