Agenda

to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 February 2024

the Chairman to announce if any item not on the agenda should be considered on the basis that he considers it as a matter of urgency (any such item to be dealt with under ‘Business Brought forward by the Chairman’);

to consider whether the consideration of any item of business would be likely to disclose exempt information and if so the category of such exempt information;

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests and Non-Registerable Interests including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

to consider business (if any) brought forward by the Chairman in accordance with agenda item 2:

to receive and as may be necessary approve the minutes and recommendations of the under-mentioned Bodies

(* Indicates minutes containing recommendations to Council).

Outstanding Committee Recommendations as follows:

(a)     Minute E.76/23 Climate Change Update & Devon, Cornwall And The Isles Of Scilly Climate Adaptation Plan

1.    That Council be RECOMMENDED to endorse the Devon Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Plan as set out at Appendix A of the presented agenda report;

(b)     Minute E.79/23 Housing Benefit War Pensions Disregard Policy

2.     That Council be RECOMMENDED to adopt the Housing Benefit War Pensions Disregard Policy as set out at Appendix A of the presented agenda report

(c)      Minute E.80/23 Month 10 Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2023/24

2.     That Council be RECOMMENDED to fund up to £170,000 of planning appeal costs from the Business Rates Retention Earmarked Reserve (as detailed in paragraphs 3.5 to 3.7 of the presented agenda report).

The associated Committee Report can be accessed here (Agenda Items 9, 12 and 13 refer):

https://democracy.swdevon.gov.uk/documents/g1830/Public%20reports%20pack%2007th-Mar-2024%2010.00%20South%20Hams%20Executive.pdf?T=10

(d)     Minute E.88/23 Fusion Lifestyle - Leisure Contract Update

(To be considered at Agenda Item 16 below)

to consider the following question(s) (if any)  received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

to consider the following motions received (if any) in accordance with Council Procedure Rules:

a) From Cllrs McKay and O’Callaghan

“The Hunting Act 2004 made chasing wild animals with dogs illegal apart from the particular exempt forms of hunting detailed in the Act.

As well as the Hunting Act 2004 there is also the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which embodies the so-called Five Freedoms of animal welfare which state that every animal deserves the right to humane treatment. The Five Freedoms are recognised across the globe and include a right to the freedom from “fear or distress”.

The sentience of animals has been the subject of much research and it has long been recognised that all animals are capable of a range of emotions. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 defines sentience in law.

It cannot therefore be conceived that any blood sport is acceptable, and it is important that the culture and tradition that surrounds and supports this barbaric activity is discouraged.

It is often argued that blood sports are part of the management of the countryside. That is rarely the reality, but where such management is required it needs to be carried out by trained specialists who have proper regard to an animal’s welfare and rights under the legislation.

This Council therefore resolves that:

1.    It does not support the killing of animals for sport or leisure in any circumstances.

2.   It will henceforth not allow any form of hunting or any organisation that is associated with hunting to use its facilities.

3.   It will require written permission to be sought for the use and management of any and all animal traps on its land and reserves the right to refuse permission where in the opinion of the Executive it considers they could cause unnecessary and avoidable suffering.

4.     It will actively encourage other Local Authorities, including Devon Country Council, to adopt a similar resolution.”

“That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act

1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during

consideration of the following items of business in order to avoid the likely

disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part

1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”;