Agenda and minutes

CM 1/23

The Mayor presented a Special Recognition Award to local photographer Mr Chris Chapman for his contribution to the West Devon area in photographing life on Dartmoor over many years.

On receipt of his award, Mr Chapman briefly addressed the meeting.

CM 2/23

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs G Dexter, I Saxby and P Vachon.

CM 3/23

Cllr M Ewings moved the appointment of Cllr L Daniel as Mayor for the ensuing year and Cllr N Jory subsequently seconded the motion.

No other nominations were received and, upon the motion being submitted to the meeting, it was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that Cllr L Daniel be appointed Mayor for the ensuing year”.

The retiring Mayor and newly elected Mayor left the Council Chamber so that Cllr Daniel could be invested with the civic regalia. 

Upon returning to the Council Chamber, the newly elected Mayor, Cllr L Daniel, made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, signed the Register and addressed the Council.

Cllr L Daniel then chaired the remainder of the meeting.

Cllr N Jory proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor.  The proposition was seconded by Cllr M Ewings.

Cllr L Daniel then invested Cllr C Mott and Mr K Mott with the Past Mayor’s and her Consort’s Medallions.

The retiring Mayor, Cllr C Mott proceeded to address the meeting.

CM 4/23

The Mayor called for nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor.

Cllr N Jory moved the appointment of Cllr D Sellis and Cllr M Renders subsequently seconded the motion.

There being no other nominations, it was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that Cllr D Sellis be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year”.

The Deputy Mayor then made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, signed the register and proceeded to address the Council.

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 5/23

The Mayor invited Members to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting, but there were none made.

To approve and adopt as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 4 April 2023.

CM 6/23           

It was moved by Cllr C Mott, seconded by Cllr C Edmonds and upon the motion being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Council agree the Minutes of the 4 April 2023 meeting”.

CM 7/23           

a.    Leader

It was moved by Cllr M Renders, seconded by Cllr N Jory and upon the motion being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that Cllr M Ewings be appointed Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.”

b.    Deputy Leader

It was moved by Cllr M Ewings, seconded by Cllr N Jory and upon the motion being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that Cllr M Renders be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.”

Cllr Ewings proceeded to address the Meeting.

CM 8/23

Members noted the schedule of officially appointed political groups as follows:

-        West Devon Alliance Group (comprising of 17 Members); and

-        Conservative Group Members (comprising of 11 Members).

It was also noted that the political composition of the Council would be further reviewed once the Burrator and Tavistock North By-Elections had been held.

Audit & Governance                               7 Members

Hub                                                         9 Members (membership to include Leader and Deputy Leader)

Overview & Scrutiny                           15 Members

DM & Licensing                                    10 Members + Named Substitutes

Council Tax Setting Committee             4 Members

Investment & Regeneration *                 3 Members

with all of the Borough Council Member appointments to the above Committees being politically balanced.

CM 9/23

It was moved by Cllr M Ewings, seconded by Cllr M Renders and upon the motion being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Committee structure be as follows for the coming year:

Audit & Governance                                                       7 Members;

Hub                                                                                        9 Members (to include Leader and Deputy Leader);

Overview & Scrutiny                                                       15 Members;

Development Management & Licensing                10 Members (& Named Substitutes);

Council Tax Setting                                                          4 Members; and

Regeneration & Investment                                        3 Members.

Dartmoor National Park Authority                            2 Members

with all of the appointments to the above Committees being politically balanced”.

CM 10/23             

The Council considered a report that sought approval for the re-appointment, until the next annual meeting, of five persons as Independent Persons to assist in the discharge of the Council’s arrangements for dealing with standards complaints

It was then proposed by Cllr M Ewings, seconded by Cllr M Renders and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that the following persons be appointed as Independent Persons until the next annual meeting:

George Barnicott

Peter Boreham

Martin Gleed

Trevor Kirkin

Victoria Spence.”

CM 11/23             

a)     Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 21 March 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 21 March 2023 meeting be received and noted”.

b)     Regeneration & Investment Committee – 2 May 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 2 May 2023 meeting be received and noted”.

CM 12/23             

The Council gave consideration to a report that sought approval for the criteria and procedure to appoint Honorary Aldermen

During debate, a Member questioned whether a certificate or other tangible item could be presented to those past Members who were conferred the title of Honorary Aldermen.  In reply, it was confirmed that this would be possible and a number of options would be examined.

It was then proposed by Cllr C Mott, seconded by Cllr M Ewings and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that:

1.     the criteria for appointing Honorary Aldermen of the Council as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the presented report, be approved; and

2.     Group Leaders be invited to make nominations to appoint Honorary Aldermen of the Council, prior to the arrangement of a Special Council meeting specifically convened for this purpose.

meeting to be reconvened on Tuesday, 27 June at 12 noon

CM 13/23             

The Mayor confirmed that, at this point, the Annual Meeting was to be adjourned and would be reconvened on 27 June 2023 at 2.30pm.