Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

It was proposed by Councillor Jackman and seconded by Councillor Palethorpe

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2025 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It was proposed by Councillor Jackman and seconded by Councillor Palethorpe, and

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2025 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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

The Chair announced his engagements since the last Full Council meeting which included: a visit to South Devon College, the Devon in Sight Centenary celebration, the Lammas Fair, celebrating the 25 year anniversary of Chudleigh Youth Centre and most recently, the re-opening of the Broadmeadow Sports Centre in Teignmouth.

The Chair also announced:

·       A recognition to the work of ‘Kev’, a street cleaner in Teignmouth.

·       That there is a District Councillor vacancy in the Kenn Valley Ward. The relevant legal notices and arrangements to fill the vacancy will be issued in due course.

·       That Councillor Ron Peart is to represent the Council on the Teign Estuary & Coastal Partnership. replacing Councillor Rosie Dawson who has taken a Devon County Council seat on the Partnership.

Councillor Nutley, as Executive Member for Leisure and Recreation, spoke to this item about the Broadmeadow Sports Centre refurbishment and re-opening event. Councillor Nutley thanked those who were involved in the project. 

Councillor Bullivant spoke to this item regarding the Kenn Valley Ward vacancy.

The Leader announced the following:

·       That Councillor Goodman-Bradbury has been given a 3-month leave of absence from the Executive.

·       That Councillor Nuttall has been appointed Executive Member for Local Government Re-organisation and Devolution and will also be covering some of the Neighbourhoods portfolio during Councillor Goodman-Bradbury’s period of leave.

·       The outcomes of the Executive Meeting at 9:30am on Tuesday 29^th July 2025, before the Full Council meeting, relating to the management of unauthorised encampments.

Cllr P Parker spoke on this issue to ask for clarification on the funding for the transit sites. The Leader agreed to respond in writing and circulate the response in the Member’s Newsletter.

None received.

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

In accordance with the Council’s procedural rules, the Leader responded to six Members of the Public, who asked eight questions relating to the provision of public conveniences and the provision of single-sex spaces across the Council’s assets.

The questions and responses had also been sent to all questioners prior to the meeting.

Questioners raised the following points as part of their supplementary questions:  

·       Sarah Prince spoke about public conveniences, particularly in Ashburton and Newbridge, in relation to the agenda item later in the meeting and asked the Leader to consider all options when making a decision.

·       Councillor Sue Clarke spoke about public conveniences, particularly in relation to Buckfastleigh, and asked for a commitment that the Council will enter into meaningful and productive conversations regarding the public convenience.

·       Councillor Danielle Westlake spoke about public conveniences, particularly in relation to Shaldon.

·       Jenny Dingsdale spoke about the guidance in relation to single-sex spaces and in relation to the agenda item later in the meeting on the recommendation from Overview and Scrutiny on Councillor J Taylor’s Notice of Motion and asked the Leader about setting up a working group to consider such issues.

·       Cathy Mudge spoke about the collection of data relating to sex in public consultations and asked about public conveniences.

·       Councillor Yvette Elliott spoke about public conveniences, particularly in relation to Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Newbridge and asked the Leader about the robustness of the consultation and report.

The Leader responded to supplementary questions orally and agreed to issue a written response to Jenny Dingsdale.

The Chair of the Council to receive any petitions submitted by Members of the Council or Members of the Public.

The Chair was presented with three petitions submitted by from Members of the Public:

·       Sarah Prince presented a petition relating to public toilets in Ashburton and Newbridge containing 2930 signatures.

·       Councillor Danielle Westlake (of Shaldon Parish Council) presented a petition relating to public toilets in Shaldon containing c.3100 signatures.

·       Councillor Sue Clarke (of Buckfastleigh Parish Council) presented a petition relating to public toilets in Buckfastleigh containing 168 signatures.

All three organisers were given an opportunity to appraise Councillors of their petitions and formally present their petition to the Chair of the Council.

To seek approval to dispose of public conveniences.

It was proposed by Councillor Keeling and seconded by Councillor Williams, and

RESOLVED

The Council to:

1.     Ensure the continued provision of public conveniences until April 2027.

2.     With immediate effect start consultation with all Towns/Parishes to transfer toilets by April 2027 to enable continued provision of facilities and avoid cessation of services. The Head of Assets in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Environmental Services to transfer facilities as agreed with town and parish councils.

3.     Where towns and parishes are unable to fund /resource provision of public conveniences the Head of Assets will consult with other interested parties to transfer facilities on the proviso that they continue to be provided as public conveniences for the foreseeable future.

4.     Ensure resources are devoted to achieving agreement with Towns/Parishes at the earliest opportunity to enable precepts to be increased if necessary.

In accordance with section 4.13.5 of the Constitution (Recorded Vote), the Members voting for, against or abstaining from voting is as follows:

Those voting FOR: Councillors Bullivant, Buscombe, Cox, Farrand-Rogers, Foden, Goodman-Bradbury, Hall, Hayes, Hook, Jackman, James, Keeling, Major, Morgan, Nutley, Nuttall, Palethorpe, C Parker, Parrott, Peart, Rollason, Smith, Swain, G Taylor, Thorne, Williams and Wrigley.

Those voting AGAINST: Councillors Mullone and P Parker.

ABSTENTIONS: Councillors Atkins, Clarance, Daws, Gearon, Horner, MacGregor, Rogers, Ryan, Steemson, J Taylor and Webster.

The Council considered the report on the provision of public conveniences across the District. The report noted that public conveniences are a discretionary service provided by some local authorities. At the time of the report, the Council provided 22 public conveniences, and a number of Town and Parish Councils provided their own.

The Council’s Modern 25 Programme identified that the Council’s spend on public conveniences was greater than comparable authorities and recommended a review of provision to ascertain if current levels are providing best value and a target ongoing annual saving of £250,000 from the service.  

The report noted that the Council on Tuesday 29^th October 2024 (Minute 71) gave approval for a public consultation to review all potential options for the provision of public toilets. The public consultation took place from 12^th November to 23^rd December 2024, where 5,577 responses were received. Summaries of the responses were included within the appendices in the agenda and reports pack.

The report highlighted a facility review of the 22 sites based on a number of criterion (usage, costs and strategic importance) and the facilities were then scored based on this criterion.

An All-Member Briefing was held on Wednesday 16^th July 2025 in advance of the meeting, and the presentation slides were included within the agenda and reports pack.

The Leader spoke at the start of the debate on the Council’s financial position, the Modern 25 programme, discussions with Town and Parish Councils, the public consultation and thanked those who signed petitions in advance of the meeting.

It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by Councillor Williams that the Council:

1.     Ensure the continued provision of public conveniences until April 2027.

2.     With immediate effect start consultation with the ten Towns/Parishes to transfer toilets by April 2027 to enable continued provision of facilities and avoid cessation of services. The Head of Assets in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Environmental Services to transfer facilities as agreed with town and parish councils.

3.     Where towns and parishes are unable to fund /resource provision of public conveniences the Head of Assets will consult with other interested parties to transfer facilities on the proviso that they continue to be provided as public conveniences for the foreseeable future.

4.     Ensure resources are devoted to achieving agreement with Towns/Parishes at the earliest opportunity to enable precepts to be increased if necessary.

The Leader proposed a recorded vote on the substantive motion, and this was duly supported by more than five Members of the Council.

As part of the debate, Councillors raised the following points for and against the substantive motion:

·       The negatively impacted groups as highlighted in the Equality Impact Assessment, specifically the Gypsy and Traveller communities, Women and Girls, the Elderly and Disabled residents.

·       The impact on Town and Parish Council precepts to cover the additional funding needed to provide public conveniences.

·       The impact of the proposals on rural communities. 

·       Other opportunities to generate revenue from other Council properties and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

To report the outcome of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 May 2025 as follows, regarding the Notice of Motion deferred to Overview and Scrutiny from the Council meeting 29 October 2024.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee has satisfied itself with the information received which has been thoroughly considered and recommend that officers provide an update to this committee once the Statutory guidance has been published and officers have had the opportunity to consider the implications.

The link to the Overview and Scrutiny Agenda of 13 May 2025, full minutes and background papers is: https://democracy.teignbridge.gov.uk/mgChooseDocPack.aspx?ID=3747

It was proposed by Councillor Keeling and seconded by Councillor Palethorpe and

RESOLVED

That the Council accepts the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 13^th May 2025 in response to the Notice of Motion.

The Council considered the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to the Notice of Motion “Review of Equality and Diversity Policy” proposed by Councillor J Taylor.

Councillor J Taylor’s Notice of Motion was referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Council meeting on 29^th October 2024. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the motion at its meeting on 13^th May 2025.

In response to the notice of motion, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that:

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee has satisfied itself with the information received which has been thoroughly considered and recommend that officers provide an update to this committee once the Statutory guidance has been published and officers have had the opportunity to consider the implications.

It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by the Deputy Leader to accept the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 13^th May 2025 in response to the Notice of Motion.

Councillors J Taylor and MacGregor spoke to this item against the motion to accept the recommendation and that a working group was not set up. Councillor Horner spoke to this item regarding the co-option of external expertise to aide discussions.

The motion was put to the vote and declared as CARRIED.

To seek approval from the Council to change the Constitution relating to the Audit Scrutiny, Procedures and Standards Committees to rename the Audit Scrutiny Committee to the Audit Committee and the formation of a Governance Committee.

It was proposed by Councillor Keeling and seconded by Councillor Palethorpe and

RESOLVED

That the Council agrees to:

1)    Change the Council’s Constitution to rename the Audit Scrutiny Committee to the Audit Committee.

2)    Approve the Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference as detailed in Appendix 1.

3)    Change the Council’s Constitution to combine the Procedures and Standards Committees into the Governance Committee.

4)    Approve the Governance Committee’s Terms of Reference as detailed in Appendix 2.

5)    To appoint the Chairs, Vice Chairs and Members of the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee in the subsequent agenda item (Committee Seat Allocation).

The Council considered the report to change the Council’s Constitution to rename the Audit Scrutiny Committee to the Audit Committee and merge the Standards and Procedures Committees to form the Governance Committee.

Councillors MacGregor and J Taylor spoke to this item about the role of the Procedures Committee and Constitution Review Working Group. Officers responded to these points verbally.

It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by the Deputy Leader and

RESOLVED

That the Council agrees to:

1)    Change the Council’s Constitution to rename the Audit Scrutiny Committee to the Audit Committee.

2)    Approve the Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference as detailed in Appendix 1.

3)    Change the Council’s Constitution to combine the Procedures and Standards Committees into the Governance Committee.

4)    Approve the Governance Committee’s Terms of Reference as detailed in Appendix 2.

5)    To appoint the Chairs, Vice Chairs and Members of the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee in the subsequent agenda item (Committee Seat Allocation).

The motion was declared as CARRIED.

Report to follow.

It was proposed by Councillor Keeling and seconded by Councillor Palethorpe and

RESOLVED

That the Council:

1.     Approve the Committee seat allocations as set out in the Appendix

2.     Give effect to the appointment of individual members as proposed by the Group Leaders.

3.     Asks Group Leaders to advise the Democratic Services Team Leader of any changes required within 24 hours of the change occurring.

The Council considered the report to update the Committee Seat allocations due to the vacation of office on 15^th July and the need to ensure political proportionality as per the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Councillors Clarance, P Parker, MacGregor, Bullivant and J Taylor spoke to this item regarding the committee seat allocation numbers and the relevant legislative requirements. Officers responded to any comments raised orally.

It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by the Deputy Leader and

RESOLVED

That the Council:

1)    Approve the Committee seat allocations as set out in the Appendix

2)    Give effect to the appointment of individual members as proposed by the Group Leaders.

3)    Group Leaders to advise the Democratic Services Team Leader of any changes required within 24 hours of the change occurring.

The motion was declared as CARRIED.

Members of the Council may ask questions of the Council subject to procedural rules. Members have no more than 1 minute to ask a supplementary question. The total time allowed/allotted for Member questions and answers is 30 minutes.

In accordance with the Council’s procedural rules, the Leader and the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee responded to two Members of the Council, who asked nine questions.

The questions and responses had published and circulated prior to the meeting.

Councillor MacGregor asked supplementary questions relating to the Council’s operational definition of “community-led” and engagement with local communities; if the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had reviewed an instruction of Counsel and how the Council instructs Counsel; the application of a zero-tolerance approach to Councillors; a public statement regarding the Supreme Court Ruling on the Equality Act 2010 and the public participation guidelines; and if there is a Council policy to monitor the social media accounts of Councillors.

Councillor P Parker asked supplementary questions relating political proportionality and committee seat allocations in relation to the statutory requirements.

The Leader and Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee responded to the supplementary questions orally and the Leader agreed to issue a written response to Councillor MacGregor’s first supplementary question.

Councillors Bullivant and J Taylor spoke under this item at the end of the meeting.