Agenda and minutes

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.

            If Councillors have any questions relating to predetermination, bias or interests in items on this Agenda, then please contact the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

*HC71           

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be discussed but none were made.

Minutes of meeting held 22 March 2016 (previously circulated)

*HC 72           

The Minutes of the Hub Committee Meeting held on 22 March 2016 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

HC 73             

The Lead Hub Member for Commercial Services presented a report that sought approval of recommendations from the Waste Working Group in relation to the future of the garden waste service.  As part of his introduction, the Lead Hub Member amended the first recommendation to reflect the fact that the matter required the approval of full Council.

During discussion on this item, a number of Members expressed disquiet at the proposal to charge for collection of garden waste, although some Members appreciated the need to introduce the proposal at this stage rather than wait until a new contract was in place.  One Member expressed the view that the first recommendation was of such significance that it should be discussed at full Council.

It was then RESOLVED that:

1.    Council be RECOMMENDED that Waste Working Group Option C as set out in the presented report – to provide an opt in, charged garden service with collection from reusable sacks, be approved, to take effect from 1 April 2017 or on commencement of the waste contract if later;

2.    The Council steps up the promotion of home composting as the best environmental option for garden waste and a targeted campaign in tandem with any changes brought about by recommendation 1 be introduced; and

3.    Any changes considered necessary to the terms as highlighted are delegated to the Lead Specialist Waste Strategy (Strategy and Commissioning) in consultation with the Lead Hub Member for Commercial Services.

HC 74             

The Lead Hub Member for Commercial Services presented a report that recommended to Council to approve the continuation of the long stay parking scheme in Okehampton and Tavistock.  He referred to the detailed information contained within the appendices and the information circulated separately.

The majority of Members were in favour of the proposal.  The Operations Manager Environment Services reported that both local Chambers of Commerce were in favour of the proposals.  One Member admitted he had initially been sceptical of the proposals when introduced, but accepted that they had proven to increase income and footfall to the towns.  Another Member raised concerns and felt the number of empty shops indicated that the proposal was not increasing footfall into the town centres. 

It was then RESOLVED that Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the continuation of the long stay parking scheme in Okehampton and Tavistock.

HC 75             

The Lead Hub Member for Performance and Resources introduced a report that sought approval to adopt the revised Corporate Complaints Policy.  The Executive Director (SD & CD) advised that the document presented at Appendix 1 set out the formal procedure, but that in all possible instances the intention would be to deal with a complaint before it reached the formal stage.  A number of staff were receiving complaints training and complaints should be seen as an opportunity to solve a problem rather than a position to be defended.

It was then RESOLVED that Council be RECOMMENDED:

1.    To adopt the revised Corporate Complaints Policy as presented at Appendix 1 to the report; and

2.    That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Lead Hub Member to make any minor amendments as necessary.

HC 76             

The Leader presented a report that set out the draft calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2016/17.

The Executive Director (S&C) requested that an eighteen month calendar be presented to full Council to enable better forward planning for both Members and officers over the summer season.

It was then RESOLVED:

That Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the calendar of meetings for 2016/17 as set out in presented Appendix A.

HC 77             

The Deputy Leader introduced a report that set out the rationale for the recruitment of a Development Surveyor.  He noted that neither West Devon Borough Council nor South Hams District Council had the appropriate expertise at the present time to bring forward income generation capital projects.  In responding to questions, he confirmed that it would be important to monitor the performance of the post holder.  The Leader noted that this post could refer to third party reasons for lack of achievement and appropriate performance management would be essential.  The Executive Director (S&C) explained how the postholder performance would be monitored.  It was also confirmed that this post would be reviewed and evaluated after two years.

It was then RESOLVED:

That Council be RECOMMENDED to recruit a permanent level four grade specialist post, shared between South Hams and West Devon, on a 60% SH/40% WD split to support the further investigation and delivery of income generation proposals approved at full council on 5 April 2016, as detailed in para 3 of the presented report.