Items
No. |
Item |
E.32/20 |
Mr David May
Minutes:
E.32/20
Since this was the first formal
Member meeting since Cllr David May (District Council Member from
May 2003 to 2 December 2020) had sadly passed away, the Leader paid
a glowing tribute to him. In so doing,
the Leader stated that David had been a funny, generous, kind and
devoted family man and a successful businessman too. During his terms of office, David had proven to be
a competent and hardworking colleague, who had served his
constituents well and was a much valued and appreciated Member of
the Council.
Members then proceeded, as a mark of respect, to observe a
moment’s reflection in his memory.
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E.33/20 |
Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
E.33/20
The Leader informed the meeting
that, whilst not a Member of the Executive, Cllr Rowe had formally
offered her apologies to this meeting.
In her capacity as Chairman of the Council, Cllr Rowe was instead
attending the funeral of Mrs Kath Pennington and, on behalf of the
Council, the Leader extended her best wishes to Cllr Pennington at
this very sad time.
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E.34/20 |
Minutes PDF 161 KB
to approve as a correct record the minutes of
the meeting of the Executive held on 22 October 2020;
Minutes:
E.34/20
The minutes of the Executive
meeting held on 22 October 2020 were confirmed as a true and
correct record.
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E.35/20 |
Declarations of Interest
Members are invited to declare any personal or
disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of
such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this
meeting;
Minutes:
E.35/20
Members and officers were
invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be
considered during the course of this meeting but none were
made.
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E.36/20 |
Urgent Business PDF 54 KB
brought forward at the discretion of the
Chairman;
Additional Restrictions Grant
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.36/20
The Chairman advised that she
had agreed for one item of urgent business to be raised at this Committee meeting. The item related to the Additional Restrictions
Grant (ARG) scheme and was considered urgent in line of the
associated time constraints.
In discussion, the importance of this Scheme was
recognised.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Scheme
(as set out in Appendix A and including the Scheme of Delegation to
administer the scheme contained therein) be noted;
2.
That approval be given to the use of £50,000
from the ARG funding for wider business support measures;
and
3.
That expenditure against the Reserve be delegated to
the Director of Place and Enterprise and Head of Place Making, in
consultation with the Leader of the Council.
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E.37/20 |
Public Question Time PDF 41 KB
a period of up to
15 minutes is available to deal with questions submitted to the
Council in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules;
Minutes:
E.37/20
It was noted that three public
questions had been received in accordance with the Executive
Procedure Rules for consideration at this meeting. These were as follows:
Q1 from Mr Tony
Dale:
Clean Air Strategy Draft re.
Totnes Air Quality Management Area:
In reference to Totnes, it
makes no recommendations for planting of any sort. Yet trees and shrubs are the only available tool
for mitigating NOx emissions. Can the
department liaise with landscapes to ensure the science of trees
and air quality is fully understood and able to be
actioned?
In response, Cllr Hawkins made
the following statement:
‘Since the early
days of the Local Air Quality Management legal regime in the 1990s,
DEFRA guidance for reducing pollution had focussed very much on
technical measures for getting pollutant levels below the legally
binding objectives in as short a time as possible.
In Totnes, the only
pollutant listed in the legislation that breached the objective
level was Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), which was breached at
specific locations alongside the A385.
Along with other local authorities, South Hams District Council had
tried to follow DEFRA advice on reducing this pollutant, and
measures in our Air Quality Plans and Air Quality Strategy had
therefore tended to focus on technical means to directly reduce the
sources of Nitrogen Dioxide, eg. by
promoting the use of less polluting technology in vehicles and the
increased use of more sustainable travel as well as liaising with
the highways authority (DCC) about improvements to road layouts to
ease congestion etc.
Very recent research
(ref 1 below) suggested that this approach was justified because
although vegetation was generally beneficial for air quality (as
plants could take up some pollutants and also act as a barrier to
polluted air) it was not seen as an effective overall solution to
air quality problems. This was because
the beneficial impacts of vegetation on air quality varied
according to circumstances and the pollutant under
consideration. For example, regarding
Nitrogen Dioxide and other nitric oxides (NOx), vegetation had been
deemed to be generally of little benefit. It was reported that
uptake of NOx gases was not effectively made by vegetation and soil
actually could be a source of NO (Nitric Oxide) so the presence of
soil in an urban environment could at least partially offset any
potential benefits of vegetation on NOx removal (ref 1
below).
Trees and other
vegetation could act as a barrier to pollutants in the air but such
barriers may be impractical to implement in narrow street canyons
where the worst excesses of nitrogen dioxide tended to
occur. Indeed in Totnes, a key location
where NO2 levels exceeded the objective was the terrace
of cottages immediately adjacent to the road on Bridgetown
Hill. Planting trees along here would
clearly not be possible.
In some situations,
tree planting could exacerbate the build-up of pollution within
streets by reducing air-flow hence reducing dilution of the
pollutants. Moreover, some tree species increased pollution directly as
they gave off biogenic ...
view the full minutes text for item E.37/20
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E.38/20 |
Executive Forward Plan PDF 70 KB
Minutes:
E.38/20
Members were
presented with the Executive Forward Plan setting out items on the
agenda for Executive meetings for the next four months and noted
its content.
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E.39/20 |
Pay and Display Charges Review PDF 65 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.39/20
The Executive was presented
with a report that sought to implement a previous decision taken by
the Council to raise parking charges only once during the current
political term (up to May 2023).
In debate, a lengthy
discussion ensued on the need to increase the provision of Electric
Charging Points in Council Car Parks.
As a way forward, the lead Executive Member committed to providing
a report on a draft Electric Charging Points Strategy to Members
during early 2021.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the Head of
Assets be authorised to publish notice
of proposals for the South Hams District Council (Off-Street
Parking Places) Order 2021 to consolidate (with amendments) the
current Off-Street Parking Places Order. The amendments to be made to be:
1.1
applying the Pay and
Display Charges in accordance with Appendix A of the presented
agenda report;
1.2
making reference to
Electric Charging Points;
1.3
incorporating the new
reserved parking bays at Bigbury Car
Park (as set out in Appendix B of the presented agenda
report);
1.4
providing for no
parking between 10.00pm and 6.00am at the Memorial and Strete Gate
Car Parks Slapton;
1.5
applying parking
charges 24 hours a day at Mayors Avenue Car Park, Dartmouth during
the High Season only (March to October);
1.6
applying parking
charges from 8.00am until 10.00pm at Memorial, Strete Gate,
Torcross Tank and Torcross Layby Car Park, Slapton;
1.7
increasing the
Diitisham Sailing Club, Dittisham
permit from £25 to £30;
1.8
amending the Dartmouth
Market Square, Dartmouth no parking restriction from between 6.00am
and 5.00pm to no parking between 6.00am and 9.00am Tuesday and
Friday;
1.9
reserving 3 bays at
Dartmouth Market Square (as set out in Appendix C of the presented
agenda report) for Dartmouth Town Council permit holders only
Monday – Friday between 7.30am and 5.00pm;
1.10
where the all-day
parking tariff is increased as a result of these recommendations,
the permit price will be increased thereafter should it be introduced in
line with the permit pricing formula; and
1.11
including Steamer Quay
Road, Totnes (as shown at Appendix D of
the presented agenda report) within the Off-Street Parking Places
Order; and
2.
That the Head of Assets be requested to prepare a report
summarising the representations
received in response to the notice of proposals for consideration
by the Executive before making a decision whether to make the
Off-Street Parking Places Order as proposed or with
modifications.
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E.40/20 |
Parking Permit Review PDF 116 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.40/20
A
report was considered that sought to approve revisions to the
Permit Review and Charges to come into effect in March
2021.
During his introduction, the lead Executive Member wished to put
on record his thanks to lead officers for presenting such a
sensible solution to what had been a longstanding
problem.
In
discussion, the following points were raised:
(a)
Some Members highlighted that, in certain Council
Car Parks, the number of permits allocated to second home owners
was disproportionately high. In
response, the lead Member informed that the conclusion had been
reached that it would be unfair to take permits away from existing
customers. However, a further review
into the Permit Policy would be carried out in 2021;
(b)
It was noted
that one of the main drivers underpinning the review had been to
increase the availability of car parking spaces during peak times
and that this would be beneficial to the local economy;
(c)
In citing
the revised proposals at Slapton,
Torcross and Bigbury, a Member stated that this had demonstrated
that feedback gained from the consultation process had been taken
into account;
(d)
A
non-Executive Member stated his strong opposition to the proposed
revisions and felt it to be wholly unacceptable that, if approved,
some permits were to more than double in price. In her agreement, another non-Executive Member
highlighted the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and felt
the timing of these proposals were very unfortunate. Other Members replied that the current provision
of Permits was very inconsistent and the pricing strategy had been
frozen for a number of years;
(e)
In response
to an invitation, the lead Member confirmed that he would be happy
to attend a remote public meeting in Kingsbridge to address some of
the concerns that were being raised within that
community.
It was then:
RESOLVED
That the proposed revisions to
the Permit Review and Charges be approved in accordance with
Appendix A of the presented agenda report and the Off-Street
Parking Order be amended and come into effect in March
2021.
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E.41/20 |
COVID-19 Recovery Plan Progress Update PDF 71 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.41/20
Members considered a report that provided an update on the
Council’s ongoing response and recovery activity and
presented the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel
Task and Finish Groups.
In discussion, the following
points were raised:-
(a)
A non-Executive Member
highlighted the following action within the draft Recovery Plan and
questioned whether it would be given a high priority:
‘To explore opportunities to invest in
our High Streets by buying empty premises and letting with a rent free period / other
incentives to attract businesses into the area.’
In response, it was hoped that
this matter could be addressed when the draft Plan was presented to
the Council meeting on 17 December 2020. In taking this point a step further, officers
committed to adding a short / medium and high priority to each
action contained within the draft Plan.
Furthermore, it was also requested that these time based priorities
should be defined within the Council report;
(b)
An amendment to the
report recommendation was PROPOSED and SECONDED that read as follows:
1.
That, for the Localities and Communities Task and Finish
Group findings, officers assess the feasibility and cost of
implementing the proposals and present a further report back to a
future Executive meeting;
2.
That officers use the Framework developed by the
Consultation & Engagement Task and Finish Group to develop and
present (for adoption) a draft Consultation & Engagement
Strategy to the Council Meeting to be held on 17 December 2020 and
that reference to the: ‘If you want to go fast go alone, if
you want to go far, go together’ proverb be
deleted;
The proposer of the amendment wished to
thank both Task and Finish Groups for their findings and was of the
view that they had been positive examples of the Overview and
Scrutiny function complimenting the Executive. In discussion on the amendment, reference was made
to:
-
a wish for the report on the Localities and Communities Task
and Finish Group findings to take into account the potential for an
increased service provision during the February half-term
period. Without wishing to put undue
pressure on the lead officers, the need for this report to be
published as soon as was practically possible was recognised;
-
a wish to thank the
Localities Team for their excellent work during this year;
and
-
confirmation that the
principles established by the Consultation & Engagement Task
and Finish Group would be applied to the public consultation
exercise on the draft Housing Strategy;
When put to the vote, the amendment was
declared CARRIED.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the
Council’s continuing response to the COVID-19 Pandemic be
noted;
2.
That the
Council’s progress in developing and delivering the Recovery
and Renewal Plan be noted;
3.
That, for
the Localities and Communities Task and Finish Group findings,
officers assess the feasibility and cost of implementing the
proposals and present a further report back to a future Executive
meeting;
4.
That
officers use the Framework developed by the Consultation &
Engagement ...
view the full minutes text for item E.41/20
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E.42/20 |
Housing Strategy Public Consultation PDF 59 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.42/20
Consideration was given to a report that recommended
that approval be given, for public consultation purposes, to the
draft Housing Strategy and that the Council undertake a five week
public consultation exercise on this important strategic
document.
In discussion, reference was made to:-
(a)
the production of an Annual Delivery Plan. Officers stated that it was their intention for an
Annual Delivery Plan to be produced with the first iteration being
published alongside the revised draft Strategy in March
2021;
(b)
emphasis
on social housing.
Members welcomed the emphasis in the draft Strategy to social
housing;
(c)
the focus to be given to both the need for a locally based
calculated housing allowance and making far better use of the
current housing stock. Members were of
the view that there was a need for ongoing lobbying on both of
these important matters;
(d)
the Strategy being a joint document with West Devon Borough
Council. When questioned, officers
confirmed that a similar proposal had been approved at the Borough
Council’s Hub Committee meeting held on 1 December
2020. In addition, officers gave
assurances that, wherever possible, the feedback gained during the
public consultation exercise would be separated between the two
Councils;
(e)
the work of officers. Members noted the
excellent work undertaken by the lead officers in producing this
draft Strategy in such a tight timescale.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the draft Housing Strategy 2021-26 (as set out at
Appendix A of the presented agenda report) be approved for
consultation;
2.
That the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits be
authorised to carry out a public
consultation exercise on the draft Strategy; and
3.
That a report on the outcome of the consultation exercise
be brought back to the Executive in March 2021.
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E.43/20 |
Allocation of Section 106 Funds for Open Space, Sport and Recreation Projects PDF 105 KB
Minutes:
E.43/20
Members considered a report that requested the
release or allocation of Section 106 funds over £30,000 for
the delivery of a number of Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Projects.
In his introduction, the lead Executive Member
informed of his intention, at the appropriate time, to propose an
alternative set of recommendations for the Marldon Parish Council
proposal (recommendation parts 4, 5 and 6 below refer). In addition, the Member acknowledged the vast
number of representations from Marldon residents that had been
received by the Council and circulated to all Members. The fact that the Parish Council had now conducted
a Public Survey and that 82% of responses received were supportive
of the proposals was also recognised.
At the invitation of the lead Member, the report
author also wished to make the point that some projects highlighted
in the presented agenda report were being delivered in neighbouring
wards. For example, with regard to the
funds generated in Bickleigh and
Cornwood, they were not only supporting
projects within that ward but also within the Plymouth City Council
ward boundaries.
In discussion, the following points were
raised:-
(a)
Members
hoped that these projects could be delivered as quickly as was
practically possible;
(b)
It was
noted that all Members had a key role to play in this process and
they were strongly encouraged to attend their local town and parish
councils and raise awareness of the ability to bring forward
potential projects and schemes.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That approval be given to the release or
allocation of Section 106 funds for Open Space, Sport and
Recreation projects as set out in Table 1 of the presented agenda
report (for Bickleigh and Cornwood; Dartington
and Staverton; and Ivybridge West
wards);
2.
That, where a project is identified,
agreement of specific details be delegated to the Head of Place
Making, in consultation with the local Ward Member(s) and lead
Executive Member;
3.
That agreement to any substitution of
alternative projects to those identified in Table 1 of the
presented agenda report be delegated to the Head of Place Making,
in consultation with the local Ward Member(s) and lead Executive
Member, subject to the alternative being in accordance with the
Section 106 Agreement;
4.
That, in view of the further public
consultation undertaken by Marldon Parish Council, and the amount
of grant applied for representing a proportionately small amount of
the total costs of the renewal works identified by Marldon Parish
Council as being necessary, approval be given to the allocation of
up to £45,000 towards the renewal of Torfield Play Area, subject to the Director of
Place and Enterprise being satisfied as to the value for
money. (NB. the release of funds will
also be subject to confirmation that funding for the remainder of
the project has been secured);
5.
That approval be given to the allocation
of the remainder of the funds available in Marldon, in accordance
with a Parish Open Space, Sport and Recreation Plan; and
6.
That agreement ...
view the full minutes text for item E.43/20
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E.44/20 |
Schools' Recycling Service PDF 65 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.44/20
A report was considered that
recommended the continuation of the provision of a free recycling
service to schools using the domestic rounds. However, in order to reduce the burden this
service had on the domestic collection rounds, the containers used
would be aligned to the new domestic recycling service, with a
limit being introduced on the number of containers that could be
used. In instances where schools
generated recycling above the limits, they would be required to
arrange a trade recycling collection.
During discussion, the
importance of educating schoolchildren on the importance of
recycling was highlighted.
It was then:
RESOLVED
That approval be given to:
1.
the
proposal for a continuation to the free recycling service for
schools (‘Option 1’) as set out in Section 4.2 of the
presented agenda report; and
2.
the policy as set out at Appendix A of the presented agenda
report.
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E.45/20 |
Granting of a Long Lease at Erme Valley Playing Fields, Ivybridge PDF 51 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
E.45/20
A report was considered that
sought to approve a long lease of land at Erme Valley Playing Fields to Ivybridge Town
Council, currently let to Ivybridge Football Club.
In discussion, reference was
made to:
(a)
the successes of the Football Club. In support of the proposals, Members wished the
Football Club continued success;
(b)
the ownership
boundaries relating to this site. In
response to some specific points raised by a local Ward Member,
officers agreed to follow these issues up with legal colleagues
outside of the meeting.
It was then:
RESOLVED
That approval be given to a long lease of land at
Erme Valley Playing Fields to Ivybridge
Town Council, currently let to Ivybridge Football Club.
(NOTE: THESE DECISIONS WILL BECOME
EFFECTIVE FROM 5.00PM ON MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2020 UNLESS CALLED IN,
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULE 18).
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