Agenda and minutes

As the Chair had given his apologises Cllr Clarance the Deputy Chair took the Chair.

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

It was proposed by the Leader, seconded by the Executive Member for Recycling, Household Waste and Environmental Health that the minutes be approved.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting on 24 May 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record by the Deputy Chair.

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

The Chair announced the opening of the children’s play area at the Den in Teignmouth following a six week makeover and that the refurbishments works were underway at Broadmeadow Sports Centre. He advised he had attended a number of civic events on behalf of the Chair of Council.

The Leader commented that in reply to his letter regarding enabling local authorities to conduct remote and hybrid meetings the Government stated that it would consider its response to the Call for Evidence shortly. He confirmed that the Cost of Living Crisis had been added to the Portfolio for the Executive Member for Homes and Communities.

The Chair reminded members to consider any interests they may have. If they wish to discuss with the Monitoring Officer the meeting could be adjourned.

Cllr Daws declared an interest in respect of minute no.58 as a founding member of community benefit society registered by financial conduct authority called Alexandria Theatre Newton Abbot.

Cllr Bullivant declared an interest in respect of minute no.51 - Shared Prosperity Fund – as a Trustee of the Community Transport Association.

The Executive Member for Economy and Jobs presented the report for the approval for a submission of an Investment Plan for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and subsequent implementation of that Plan.

The Executive Member for Economy and Jobs proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by the Executive Member for Homes and Communities and carried.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)                      The interventions identified at Section 3 of this report for investment through Teignbridge’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund be approved;

(2)                      Delegated authority be given to the Head of Place and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Jobs and the Executive Member for Communities and IT, to submit a UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan to the Government that reflects the interventions identified at Section 3 of this report; and

(3)                      Delegated authority be given to the Head of Place and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Jobs and the Executive Member for Communities and IT, to implement the Investment Plan upon it being approved by Government.

The Leader proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Cllr Colclough and carried.

RESOLVED that:-:

(1)                       The change of the position of the current boundary between Ogwell and Newton Abbot parishes be approved; and

(2)                       The number of members on Coffinswell and Ideford Parish Councils be increased by one each.

The Executive Member for Climate Change, Coastal Protection and Flooding presented the Carbon Action Plan , thanked the Climate Change Officer for all their hard work putting together the Carbon Action Plan and encouraged Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review the plan as it progressed.

The Executive Member for Climate Change, Coastal Protection and Flooding proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Cllr Macgregor and carried.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)      The Carbon Action Plan be approved; and

(2)      The implementation of the Carbon Action Plan be approved.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by the Leader and carried.

RESOLVED that the proposed changes be approved.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Executive Member for Recycling, Household Waste and Environmental Health and carried.

RESOLVED that the Council appoint Ian Brooking and Ted Butt to serve as Independent Persons for an interim period of no more than six months.

To consider the recommendation of Executive Tuesday, 31st May, 2022,

RECOMMENDED that Full Council:-

Thank Devon County Council and Stagecoach for the notice in change in bus services, which various routes throughout Teignbridge, serving Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Starcross, Exminster, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Bovey Tracey, and Teignmouth. We ask Devon County Council to urgently explore options for a transport for Devon organisation to improve public transport and ticketing and reduce costs.

Please can there be reassurance that at the first opportunity:-

1)    That every effort be made to increase the frequency of services from Exeter to Newton Abbot via Exminster, Dawlish, and Teignmouth, including every 20 minutes or adding express routes during peak times.

2)    To increase the frequency of services between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth during the holiday season.

3)    Where Stagecoach have taken over from Country Bus on bus routes, eg. in Ide, Dunchideock and Teign Valley, that the bus fares remain consistent with the pricing structure for other Stagecoach bus routes and every opportunity be taken to improve frequency of rural bus routes.

4)    At this time of climate crisis, and petrol price increases, and increasing house-building (therefore increasing population and increasing car use) in the Parishes of Exminster, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey, and other villages in Teignbridge;
the Council request the efforts of Devon County Council and Stagecoach for improved public transport and increased frequency of bus services in order to cut carbon emissions by reducing private car use and thereby easing traffic congestions, and to help people cut their individual carbon footprints; and

The Council ask that the Leader of this Council write to Devon County Council and Stagecoach Devon to declare this Notice of Motion.

The Executive Member for Homes and Communities presented the recommendation from Executive.

Cllr Foden spoke in support and proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by the Executive Member for Homes and Communities.

The Leader asked that Members email him with details of the bus routes they have concerns around and he would include in his correspondence which he would also copy to the local Members of Parliament.

RESOLVED that Full Council:-

Thank Devon County Council and Stagecoach for the notice in change in bus services, which various routes throughout Teignbridge, serving Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Starcross, Exminster, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Bovey Tracey, and Teignmouth. We ask Devon County Council to urgently explore options for a transport for Devon organisation to improve public transport and ticketing and reduce costs.

Please can there be reassurance that at the first opportunity:-

(1)            That every effort be made to increase the frequency of services from Exeter to Newton Abbot via Exminster, Dawlish, and Teignmouth, including every 20 minutes or adding express routes during peak times.

(2)            To increase the frequency of services between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth during the holiday season.

(3)            Where Stagecoach have taken over from Country Bus on bus routes, eg. in Ide, Dunchideock and Teign Valley, that the bus fares remain consistent with the pricing structure for other Stagecoach bus routes and every opportunity be taken to improve frequency of rural bus routes.

(4)            At this time of climate crisis, and petrol price increases, and increasing house-building (therefore increasing population and increasing car use) in the Parishes of Exminster, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey, and other villages in Teignbridge;
the Council request the efforts of Devon County Council and Stagecoach for improved public transport and increased frequency of bus services in order to cut carbon emissions by reducing private car use and thereby easing traffic congestions, and to help people cut their individual carbon footprints; and

The Council ask that the Leader of this Council write to Devon County Council and Stagecoach Devon to declare this Notice of Motion.

The vote was unanimous.

To consider the recommendation of Executive 4th July, 2022,

RECOMMENDED to Full Council that:-

1.     A report be brought to Full Council within 6 months on the actions and projects that will begin an ocean recovery in Teignbridge;

2.     Embed ocean recovery in all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to decisions by the Council (particularly in planning, regeneration, skills and economic policy), aligning with climate and ecological emergency plans;

3.     Ensure that the Local Plan supports ocean recovery, and the health of our coastal environments both naturally and socio-economically;

4.     Work with partners locally and nationally to deliver increased sustainability in local marine industries and support investment in the development of a sustainable and equitable blue economy, including the local fishing industry and the vital work of 3 relevant partners, including Devon & Severn IFCA, the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation;

5.     Create an online portal of the Council website to update on ocean recovery progress, signpost to ocean literacy development opportunities, and marine citizenship pledges;

6.     Write to South West Water to request details of their urgent and revised plans to eradicate the practice of sewage discharges to rivers and coastal waters around Teignbridge;

7.     Work where possible with South West Water, the Environment Agency, Catchment and Coastal Partnerships, developers and other agencies to combat threats to the quality of water being discharged into the rivers and coastal waters around Teignbridge;

8.     Call on government to:

A.    Set meaningful targets and deadlines for water companies to end sewage discharges and introduce a Sewage Tax on water companies’ profits to fund the clean-up of waterways.

B.    Reduce the number of licences given to water companies permitting them to discharge sewage into rivers.

C.    Strengthen Ofwat’s powers to monitor the annual financial plans and reports of the water companies in order to compel them to achieve a fair and transparent balance between consumer prices, shareholder dividend, staff remuneration and ongoing long-term investment in storm water infrastructure.

D.    Add local environmental groups onto water companies’ boards.

E.    Promote a public benefit company model for water companies, so that particular economic and environmental policy objectives must be considered explicitly in the running of the companies.

F.    Work with local authorities to ensure water companies protect our rivers and seas by:

                                               i.          Water companies being required to invest upfront in sewerage infrastructure to reflect environmental objectives in Local Plans and planning applications.

                                              ii.          Identify powers of local authorities under the statutory duty to promote wellbeing of the area and provide councils with the funding to meet this duty.

                                            iii.          Cease making cuts to Environment Agency funding and ensure that it has enough staff to significantly improve its monitoring of the threats of inadequate storm-water infrastructure and pollution from sewage and agricultural nitrates;

9.     Further call on the Government to put the ocean into net recovery by 2030 by:

A.    Ensuring Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our growing number of marine protected areas, and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 57.

The Executive Member for Climate Change, Coastal Protection and Flooding proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by Executive Member for Recycling, Household Waste and Environmental Health.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)            A report be brought to Full Council within 6 months on the actions and projects that will begin an ocean recovery in Teignbridge;

(2)            Embed ocean recovery in all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to decisions by the Council (particularly in planning, regeneration, skills and economic policy), aligning with climate and ecological emergency plans;

(3)            Ensure that the Local Plan supports ocean recovery, and the health of our coastal environments both naturally and socio-economically;

(4)            Work with partners locally and nationally to deliver increased sustainability in local marine industries and support investment in the development of a sustainable and equitable blue economy, including the local fishing industry and the vital work of 3 relevant partners, including Devon & Severn IFCA, the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation;

(5)            Create an online portal of the Council website to update on ocean recovery progress, signpost to ocean literacy development opportunities, and marine citizenship pledges;

(6)            Write to South West Water to request details of their urgent and revised plans to eradicate the practice of sewage discharges to rivers and coastal waters around Teignbridge;

(7)            Work where possible with South West Water, the Environment Agency, Catchment and Coastal Partnerships, developers and other agencies to combat threats to the quality of water being discharged into the rivers and coastal waters around Teignbridge;

(8)            Call on government to:

A.    Set meaningful targets and deadlines for water companies to end sewage discharges and introduce a Sewage Tax on water companies’ profits to fund the clean-up of waterways.

B.    Reduce the number of licences given to water companies permitting them to discharge sewage into rivers.

C.    Strengthen Ofwat’s powers to monitor the annual financial plans and reports of the water companies in order to compel them to achieve a fair and transparent balance between consumer prices, shareholder dividend, staff remuneration and ongoing long-term investment in storm water infrastructure.

D.    Add local environmental groups onto water companies’ boards.

E.    Promote a public benefit company model for water companies, so that particular economic and environmental policy objectives must be considered explicitly in the running of the companies.

F.    Work with local authorities to ensure water companies protect our rivers and seas by:

                                               i.          Water companies being required to invest upfront in sewerage infrastructure to reflect environmental objectives in Local Plans and planning applications.

                                              ii.          Identify powers of local authorities under the statutory duty to promote wellbeing of the area and provide councils with the funding to meet this duty.

                                            iii.          Cease making cuts to Environment Agency funding and ensure that it has enough staff to significantly improve its monitoring of the threats of inadequate storm-water infrastructure and pollution from sewage and agricultural nitrates;

(9)            Further call on the Government to put the ocean into net recovery by 2030 by:

A.    Ensuring Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities have the resources they need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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 Future High Street Fund has been presented by the Leader and supported by Cllrs D Cox, H Cox, Dewhirst, Evans, Foden, Goodman-Bradbury, Hayes, G Hook, J Hook, Jeffries, Jenks, Keeling, Morgan, Nutley, Nuttall, Parker, Rollason, Swain, Taylor and Wrigley.

Teignbridge Council reaffirms its strong commitment to Newton Abbot as Devon’s premier market town.

We cherish and value the heritage of 800 years as a market town and believe the core values of the market can help sustain and build the economic vitality of Newton Abbot and the wider district for generations to come.

Council restates its belief in a strong day-time economy that works in tandem with a strong evening economy with a blend of market, retail, arts and cultural experiences.

Council welcomes a new multi-screen cinema and enhancements for walking and cycling, which extend the ‘offer’ of the town centre and will help to bring more people into town.

Against the backdrop of rapidly rising inflation both general and in the construction industry, Council believes a review of the affordability of the agreed Future High Street Fund projects must be urgently undertaken.

Therefore, Council instructs officers to:

1.     Commission such external professional advice as is necessary to provide a detailed report to the next Council meeting on the costs of the Future High Street Fund projects and projections over the period to planned delivery.

2.     Continue discussions with the Government (including the Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot) to extend the period in which the £9.2m Future High Street Funds can be used and to;

3.     Negotiate with Government for a variation in the approved Future High Street programme, which allows the council to respond more flexibly to local needs and minimises exposure to potentially rising construction costs.

And also to:

4.     Review proposals for the existing Market Hall in order to improve the market offer to draw in new traders and more customers.

5.     Commission a season of ‘street performances’ to help draw more people into town.

6.     To consider afresh options for the Alexandra Cinema/Theatre building

The cost-of-living crisis and the expected national economic situation are such that Council believes these establish a compelling case for review as set out above.

Councillor Daws left the meeting before consideration of this item.

The Leader presented his Notice of Motion to review of the affordability of the agreed Future High Street Fund projects and the options for the Alexandra Cinema/Theatre building.

The Leader proposed the recommendation, this was seconded by the Executive Member for Recycling, Household Waste and Environmental Health.

An amendment was proposed by Cllr Patch that the following be added to the end of recommendation 6 ‘with particular consideration of the Jeremy Newcombe Plan and the retention of the wall’, and remove “The cost-of-living crisis and the expected national economic situation are such that Council believes these establish a compelling case for review as set out above”. This was seconded by Cllr Bradford put to the vote and lost.

The substantive motion was put to the vote and it was:-

RESOLVED that Council instructs officers to:

1.     Commission such external professional advice as is necessary to provide a detailed report to the next Council meeting on the costs of the Future High Street Fund projects and projections over the period to planned delivery.

2.     Continue discussions with the Government (including the Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot) to extend the period in which the £9.2m Future High Street Funds can be used and to;

3.     Negotiate with Government for a variation in the approved Future High Street programme, which allows the council to respond more flexibly to local needs and minimises exposure to potentially rising construction costs.

And also to:

4.     Review proposals for the existing Market Hall in order to improve the market offer to draw in new traders and more customers.

5.     Commission a season of ‘street performances’ to help draw more people into town.

6.     To consider afresh options for the Alexandra Cinema/Theatre building.

Members of the Council may ask questions of the Council subject to procedural rules. The deadline for questions is 5pm three clear working days before the meeting for this meeting being Wednesday 20 July 2022 5pm.

Members questions and responses attached to the agenda.