Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor D Cox declared an Appendix B Paragraph 12 interest as Trustee of the Chudleigh Fridge Recycling Group, in relation to minute 5 below.

There were no public questions.

The following questions were asked by Councillor Purser. The answers were given by the Chairman of the Committee.

Question 1

At the recent elections a number of constituents asked where they could find out information about all candidates standing in a ward. With modern communications many asked why there was not a website.

I would like O and S to consider setting up a task and finish group to look into the potential for Teignbridge district council to host a webpage where candidates could post a photo and say 150 words. I appreciate there will be a significant number of editorial issues but I believe it is the way forward and worthy of investigation.

Answer

It would not be in the remit of the Council to set up webpage to host information for candidates (individual or groups), on impartiality grounds.

Question 2

Being a strong advocate of solar panels and battery storage the failure of developers to add these to new houses with appropriate roof orientation is not acceptable in the current climate.

I understand new house builders could be required to provide solar panels and battery storage, where appropriate, by use of planning permission powers.

I would like O and S to set up a task and finish group to consider this proposal.

Answer  

The Council has declared a Climate Change emergency and an Action Plan will be brought back to Council in the next six months. The solar panel issue should be considered as part of the climate review.

Councillor Purser referred to the implementation of instructions covering building design ahead of the climate review and whether any changes, improvements, or modifications should be recommended. The Chairman advised Councillor Purser to submit a request for the Committee to assess this issue.

To hear what CAG is offering communities across the District, and the kinds of projects already happening.

The Committee welcome Ben Bryant, Devon Community Engagement Project Officer with the Community Action Group (CAG) Devon. Mr Bryant advised how CAG could help communities across the District, and the kinds of

projects already happening. The work of the group was to provide the tools to local community groups to progress projects to reduce, reuse and recycle goods leading to zero waste recycling, and join the Devon Community Recycling Network for greater community cohesion. Successful projects across the county included repair cafes, clothes swap, plastic reduction, composting workshops reducing food wastage, and surplus food cafes.

Mr Bryant advocated that Councillors could lead the way for their communities in supporting community heroes and projects, and advising them to sign up to CAG Devon.

The Committee thanked Mr Bryant for his informative and inspirational presentation.

To consider the report of the Housing Enabling and Development Manager attached. Sabrina Thomas, Devon County Council’s Gypsy and Travellers Liaison Officer will be in attendance

The Housing Enabling and Development Manager presented the report circulated with the agenda. The report updated the Committee in respect of progress made in meeting the Council’s Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision.

The Council had ongoing consultation with the community via the Teignbridge DC Gypsy and Travelers Forum in relation to transit pitches. The provision of pitches across the district was being meet. The Forum had been in existence for at least ten years. The membership was open to anyone from the travelling community and were public meetings.

The Committee also welcomed Sabrina Thomas, Devon County Council’s Gypsy and Travellers Liaison Officer. In response to questions Ms Thomas advised that there would be an increase in unauthorised sites if the number of authorised sites did not meet the targets. There were a similar level of unauthorised encampments across Devon. There was a coordinated partnership approach across Devon to deal with this issue. 

It was noted that there was no longer a County dedicated traveller education post-holder covering schools and colleges, due to budget cutbacks.

Resolved

1.     The progress made in respect of the delivery of permanent gypsy and traveller pitches in Teignbridge be noted.

2.     The actions being taken to meet the need for transit pitches in Teignbridge be endorsed.

3.     The work taking place with Devon County Council and the Police in addressing unauthorised use of land by gypsies and travellers in a coordinated way across the County of Devon be noted.

A presentation will be made on the work being carried out, as part of the overall Council Strategy for the period 2016 - 2025, in relation to two of the Teignbridge Ten super-projects. These are ten connected areas of work, which will each have a widespread impact on the economy, community wellbeing, and the environment.

Chris Braines and David Eaton will present the work of the programmes

Clean Scene and Zero Heroes

Two presentations were made on the work being carried out, as part of the

overall Council Strategy for the period 2016 - 2025, in relation to two of the

Teignbridge Ten super-projects. These are ten connected areas of work, which will each have a widespread impact on the economy, community wellbeing, and the environment.

David Eaton –Environmental Protection Manager, and Chris Braines – Waste and Cleansing Manager presented the work of two of the programmes: Zero Heroes and Clean Scene.

The presentations are attached to the minutes.

It was noted that many of the issues would be picked up with the Council’s declaration of a climate change emergency.

To receive the minutes of the SEDHRP Executive Committee held on 29 April, 2019.

The Minutes of the SEDHRP Executive meeting held on 29 April, 2019 circulated with the agenda were noted.

To consider the following call-in  by Councillors Wrigley and supported by Councillors Foden, L Petherick, J Petherick and Taylor

“I request that decisions made at the meeting of the South East Devon Habitat regulatory partnership executive committee meeting of the 29th April 2019 be reviewed.

Specifically item 7 (relating to the annual business plan and the 5 year delivery plan) items:

“3. that the adjustment of the Habitat Mitigation Officers contracts to permanent status to align with the funding allocated in the mitigation strategy be approved.”

“4. that the retention of the Devon Loves Dogs project Coordinator for 5 years from November 2019 and funding for a used vehicle from May 2019 as outlined in Section 2 be approved.

5. that redirecting the funds outlined in section 3 to cover the associated costs of 4. Above be approved.”

Item 3 on the grounds that no performance reviews or job evaluation changes have been evidenced, and that ongoing funding has not been secured or agreed.

Item 4 (and 5) on the basis that the need of a car (at £18K) has not been evidenced, nor the evaluation of other potential solutions. In addition the role is intended to encourage people to walk dogs locally, rather than travel by car to areas in need of habitat preservation, and as such could be seen to be counter-productive to the task in hand.”

Councillors Wrigley, the Council’s representative on the South East Devon Habitat Regulatory Partnership Executive Committee, presented his call in outlined below, which was supported by Councillors Foden, L Petherick, J Petherick and Taylor.

“I request that decisions made at the meeting of the South East Devon Habitat

Regulatory Partnership Executive Committee meeting of the 29th April 2019 be reviewed.

Specifically item 7 (relating to the annual business plan and the 5 year delivery plan) items:

“3. that the adjustment of the Habitat Mitigation Officers contracts to permanent status to align with the funding allocated in the mitigation strategy be approved.”

“4. that the retention of the Devon Loves Dogs project Coordinator for 5 years from November 2019 and funding for a used vehicle from May 2019 as outlined in Section 2 be approved.

5. that redirecting the funds outlined in section 3 to cover the associated costs of 4. Above be approved.”

Item 3 on the grounds that no performance reviews or job evaluation changes have been evidenced, and that ongoing funding has not been secured or agreed.

Item 4 (and 5) on the basis that the need of a car (at £18K) has not been evidenced, nor the evaluation of other potential solutions. In addition the role is intended to encourage people to walk dogs locally, rather than travel by car to areas in need of habitat preservation, and as such could be seen to be counter-productive to the task in hand.”

The report of the Principle Delivery Officer circulated with the agenda at pages 31 to 59, which included the Partnership’s 2019-20 Business Plan and 5 year Delivery Plan, provided background to the Habitat Regulations and the joint Executive Committee. The report also provided evidence to justify the: adjustment of the Habitat Mitigation Officers contracts to permanent status to align with the funding allocated in the mitigation strategy; the retention of the Devon Loves Dogs project Coordinator for 5 years from November 2019; and

funding for a used vehicle from May 2019.

Resolved

That Councillor Wrigley, as the Council’s appointed representative on the Partnership Executive Committee; asks the questions of the Partnership Executive Committee, and gathers information on procedures that are in place to evidence the work of the strategy and the officer posts that were the subject of the call in; and reports back to this Committee on the outcome of discussions with the Partnership Executive Committee.

To consider the report of the Senior Community Safety Officer attached.

Consideration was given to the report circulated with the agenda which was presented by the Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager. The report detailed the work undertaking by the community safety and safeguarding team in relation to safeguarding the District’s children, young people and vulnerable adults.

It was noted that a more detailed Members briefing session would be held later in the year.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

The Executive Forward Plan, circulated with the agenda, was noted.

To identify any areas of work for future meetings of the Committee.

The Committee’s work plan circulated with the agenda was received and noted.