Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the previous Council meeting.

It was proposed by Cllr Wrigley and seconded by Cllr Keeling that the Minutes of the meeting 27 February 2024 be approved.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of 27 February 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

Announcements only from the Chair of Council, Leader, Members of the Executive or the Managing Director.

Cllr Daws advised that Cllr Mike Ryan has replaced Cllr Daws on Audit Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair stated that officers were waiting on evidence from Devon County Council to be able to refer the closure of Teignmouth Hospital to the Secretary of State as per the motion considered at the last Council meeting.

The Leader stated that he was disappointed that the Notice of Motion on Gaza was not on the agenda as it was relevant to the district and many local communities were affected by the conflict. An application for an extension for the Future High Street Funds to March 2025 had been agreed and a second adjustment request would be submitted in due course. There had been positive engagement events in Newton Abbot regarding the changes to the Market Hall and he thanked the team involved. He also thanked the team running the consulting events on the Council Strategy.

Cllr Hook declared an interest in respect of minute no.32 - Extension of Rent Subsidies – as a Director of Newton Abbot Community Interest Company who lease the Buckland Centre who receive a rent subsidy. She would leave the room during consideration of this item.

Cllr Cox declared an interest in respect of minute no.32 - Extension of Rent Subsidies – as he is a Trustee of a Food Bank and Housing Charity.

Members of the public may ask questions. A maximum period of 15 minutes will be allowed with a maximum period of three minutes per questioner.

The public question and response were attached to the agenda.

Cllr Morgan as Chair of Audit Scrutiny Committee proposed the recommendation.

Cllr Keeling thanked the finance team, the Audit Scrutiny Committee and Grant Thornton for their work regarding the final accounts and Governance statement. He seconded the recommendation.

Julie Masci and Peter Barber from Grant Thornton, the Council’s External Auditors, addressed the meeting.

The recommendation was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)            The revised 2020/21 Statement of Accounts including the Annual Governance Statement and letter of representation as recommended by the Audit Scrutiny Committee be approved; and

(b)            The 2020/21 Audit Findings Report and the Auditors Annual report for 2021/22 and 2022/23 from Grant Thornton and approve the actions arising from the action plans be noted.

To consider the recommendation from  Executive on  2nd April, 2024,

RECOMMENDED to Full Council that those organisations that were in receipt of a rent subsidy as at 31^st March 2024, be permitted to apply for a further 12 month period of subsidy pending the outcome of the asset review and any further amendment to the rent subsidy policy.

Cllr Hook left the meeting during consideration of this item.

Cllr Keeling proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Cllr Wrigley.

Cllr Mullone proposed an amendment that the Citizens Advice Bureau and Wellbeing in Action be able to apply for a rent subsidy, this was seconded by Cllr Bradford. Members were advised that these organisations could apply for a rent subsidy. Cllr Mullone withdrew his amendment.

The recommendation was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that those organisations that were in receipt of a rent subsidy as at 31^st March 2024, be permitted to apply for a further 12 month period of subsidy pending the outcome of the asset review and any further amendment to the rent subsidy policy.

Cllr Keeling proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Cllr Morgan put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED to approve the recruitment of a Housing Compliance Officer to work within Housing Services to ensure that the Councils Housing stock meets the compliance regime as set out by the Social Housing Regulator.

Cllr Wrigley proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Cllr Keeling put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED to approve the proposed policy changes.

Notice of Motion’s shall be referred to the appropriate Committee meeting. The mover of the motion can outline the proposal and then it will stand adjourned. The motion may be debated to assist debate later if agreed by two-thirds of Council Members.

Motion 1

The following motion on Major applications, variations to conditions and TDC property based applications has been presented by Cllr Macgregor and supported by Cllrs Bradford, Lake, P Parker, Gearon

In order to provide clarity, as well as consistency and transparency in the planning process for residents of the district, in future all of the following planning applications will be put to committee.

1.  All major planning applications - including those associated with major sites. 
2. All planning applications involving heritage assets (listed buildings etc).
3. All variations to conditions.
4. All applications relating to property and buildings owned, leased or managed by Teignbridge District Council.

As part of point 1) 'all major planning applications' the officer reports must demonstrate where this is part of a previous 'hybrid' planning application that all the conditions are met and how these apply to the individual plot. Also, as part of point 1) where the hybrid planning application demonstrated a commitment to build schools, or care homes or community buildings, each application must explain how that is to be delivered if it is not detailed in the individualised plot application.

Motion 2

The following motion on the process of calling in applications to Planning Committee has been presented by Cllr Swain and supported by Cllrs MacGregor, Buscombe, Radford, Rollason, Henderson, Nutley, P Parker, Purser, Palethorpe, Nuttall, Peart, Jeffries, Parrott, Hook, Sanders,

 1. There has recently been a change in process for members referring a planning application to committee. The referral can be in the event that it is recommended for approval, or for refusal. The familiar third option to refer it either way has been removed from the form and members have been told they must opt for one or the other, not both. This might place ward members in a difficult position if they are also on the planning committee. By calling in and effectively picking a preferred outcome, they may risk allegations of predetermination.

2. When referring an application to committee, "a valid planning reason", based on planning policy must be given. There are cases with strong community involvement, or with potential conflicts of interest where it might be justified in the public interest to make the decision by committee in public. This might apply regardless of the policy-based merits of the application.

3. Parish and town councils work hard to fulfil their duty to comment on planning applications. They are volunteers and have little or no training and support. Planning training is routinely given to Teignbridge councillors and could be opened up to allow parish and town councillors to attend.

4. Parish councils work hard to fulfil their duty to comment on planning applications and often feel ignored. Where an officer recommendation goes against the view of the parish or  ...  view the full agenda text for item 35.

Motion 1

Cllr Macgregor presented a Motion on Major applications, variations to conditions and TDC property based applications.

The matter was referred to Procedures Committee.

Motion 2

Cllr Swain presented a Motion on the process of calling in applications to Planning Committee.

The matter was referred to Procedures Committee.

Motion 3

Cllr Cox presented a Motion on South West Water Sewage Spills.

The matter was referred to Executive.

Motion 4

Cllr MacGregor presented a Motion on the release of untreated sewage into our rivers and water courses.

The matter was referred to Executive.

Members of the Council may ask questions of the Council subject to procedural rules.

The circulated Member questions and responses was noted.