Agenda and minutes

CM 73/22

Since this was the first Council meeting since Mr Ted Sherrell (Borough Council Member from 1983 to 2015) had sadly passed away, Members proceeded, as a mark of respect, to observe a moment’s reflection in his memory.

CM 74/22         

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs N Jory and T Pearce (who joined the meeting via Teams in a non-voting capacity).

To approve and adopt as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 21 February 2023;

CM 75/22         

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 February 2023 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

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;

CM 76/22         

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be discussed and the following were made:

Cllr K Ball declared an interest in agenda item 8 ‘2023/24 Capital Strategy; 2023/24 Treasury Management Strategy; and 2023/24 Investment Strategy’ (Minute CM 81/22 below refers) by virtue of being an OkeRail Committee member.  He remained in the meeting and took part in the debate and vote thereon.

CM 77/22         

The Mayor advised that she had one item of business to be brought forward to this meeting.  The item related to the annual waste and recycling calendar and the Mayor informed that printed copies of the calendar were available at this meeting for Members to collect and distribute as required.

CM 78/22         

The Mayor informed the Meeting that no Public Questions had been received in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules.

CM 79/22         

Members noted that no Questions on Notice had been received from the membership in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules.

CM 80/22        

The Mayor advised that no Motions on Notice had been received from the membership in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules.

CM 81/22         

The Council considered a report that recommended approval of the proposed Capital Strategy, Investment Strategy and Treasury Management for 2022/23, together with their associated prudential indicators.

During the ensuing debate the following issues were raised:

(a)    In citing the recent Covid pandemic as an example, a Member emphasised the importance of the Council being prudent and retaining contingency funds to ensure that it was able to support its communities and residents through such unforeseen circumstances;

(b)    With regard to the Council’s current non-treasury investment portfolio position, the lead Hub Committee Member advised that interest rates had been fixed on the repayment loans and were therefore not impacted by the recent significant rate increases;

(c)    For clarity, it was recognised that the final sentence of the Transport Hub section (paragraph 2.3, page 18 of the published agenda report refers) incorrectly referred to the project being delivered in partnership with ‘OkeRail’ when in fact this should read ‘Network Rail’;

(d)    When questioned, the Section 151 Officer confirmed that ethical investments were an important consideration for the Council and advice was regularly sought in this regard from the Link Group (the Council’s External Advisors on Treasury Management matters).

It was then proposed by Cllr C Edmonds seconded by Cllr R Cheadle and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that:

1. That the following strategies for 2023-24 be approved:

a.    the Capital Strategy (as attached at Appendix A of the presented report)

b.    the T reasury Management Strategy (as attached at Appendix B of the presented report)

c.    the Investment Strategy (as attached at Appendix C of the presented report)

2. That delegated authority be granted to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Hub Committee Member for Resources, to make any minor amendments to these Strategies if required throughout the 2023/24 Financial Year’.

CM 82/22         

(a)   Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 14 February 2023

It was moved by Cllr M Ewings, seconded by Cllr P Kimber and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2023 be received and noted”.

(b) Council Tax Setting Committee – 22 February 2023

It was moved by Cllr C Edmonds, seconded by Cllr M Davies and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 February be received and noted”.

(c)   Development Management & Licensing Committee – 28 February 2023

It was moved by Cllr J Yelland, seconded by Cllr D Moyse and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Minutes of the 28 February 2023 meeting be received and noted.”

 (d) Audit & Governance Committee – 14 March 2023

It was moved by Cllr K Ball, seconded by Cllr M Davies and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2023 be received and noted with the exception of Recommendation AC 26.”

In respect of the Recommendation:

AC 26: 2023/24 Capital Strategy, 2023/24 Treasury Management Strategy and 2023/24 Investment Strategy

It was noted that this matter had already been determined at agenda item 8 of this meeting (Minute 81/22 above refers).

(e)   Hub Committee – 7 March 2023

It was moved by Cllr C Edmonds, seconded by Cllr R Cheadle and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2023 be received and noted with the exception of Recommendations HC 92/22 and HC 93/22.”

In respect of the Recommendations:

HC.92/22: A Plan for West Devon:

It was moved by Cllr C Edmonds, seconded by Cllr R Cheadle and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the minor amendments to the Year 3 Plan for West Devon delivery plans (as set out in Appendix A of the agenda report presented to the Hub Committee Meeting), be approved.”

HC.93/22: Recruitment and Retention

It was moved by Cllr C Edmonds, seconded by Cllr R Cheadle and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the recommendations of the independent report on senior officer pay, undertaken by the Local Government Association, be accepted and that the revised pay and grading structure for the senior leadership team be approved.”

(NOTE: the Council’s Senior Leadership Team left the meeting room prior to the debate and vote on recommendation HC.93/22 above).

CM 83/22         

As this was anticipated to be the last meeting of the current Council term, the Mayor wished to thank her fellow Members and Officers for their hard work and commitment during what had been a challenging term.

As the Local Elections approached, she wished those Members who were re-standing for office, success with their respective campaigns and those who had opted not to seek re-election, good luck and happiness for the future.

In response, the Deputy Leader wished to formally thank the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for their service over the preceding two years and for their support and guidance over what had been a difficult and demanding period.  On behalf of the Council, he further thanked them for the respectful, transparent and proficient manner in which Council meetings had been operated during this time.