Agenda item

72/19              

Members were presented with a report that set out the Capital Bids to the 2020/21 Capital Programme and a suggested way that these Bids could be funded.

In discussion, reference was made to:

(a)    an amendment to the recommendation.  In accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, the following amendment had been received from Cllrs Hodgson and Sweett:

‘That £300,000 be allocated from the Unearmarked Reserves to enable the procurement and purchase of Gypsy & Traveller Sites in South Hams to recognise and meet this growing need for some of our residents.’

The proposer introduced her amendment and highlighted that there were a number of illegal encampments within her local Ward and that there was a definite need for some sites to be established within the South Hams.

Members proceeded to debate the amendment during which reference was made to:

-        the cost of establishing a site.  A Member cited an example within a neighbouring district that had seen a site cost £1.25 million for just 15 pitches.  The Member therefore felt that £300,000 would not be sufficient to procure and purchase a Site;

-        the need to find a structured site.  It was noted that officers were actively looking for an appropriate Brownfield Site and, irrespective of the evidence need in the Joint Local Plan, the requirement to find a suitable site was recognised;

-        available funding.  The Leader stated that there were already monies available in affordable housing reserves that could be used to procure and purchase a site and she did not see the need to specifically set aside £300,000 for this purpose at this time;

-       the difficulties associated with finding a suitable site were acknowledged.

In line with statutory requirements, a recorded vote was then undertaken on this amendment.  The voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

For the motion (10):  Cllrs Abbott, Baldry, Birch, Brazil, Hodgson,        Jackson, McKay, O’Callaghan, Pannell and Sweett

Against the motion (18):  Cllrs Austen, Bastone, Brown, Chown, Foss, Hawkins, Holway, Hopwood, Long, May, Pearce, Pennington, Pringle, Reeve, Rowe, Smerdon, Spencer and Taylor

Abstentions (1):  Cllr Kemp

Absent (2):  Cllrs Rose and Thomas

and the vote on this amendment was therefore declared LOST.

(b)    the Salcombe Harbour Workshop project.  The Leader committed to providing a project update to an interested Member outside of this meeting.

In line with statutory requirements, a recorded vote was then undertaken on the substantive motion.  The voting on the motion was recorded as follows:

For the motion (29):         Cllrs Abbott, Austen, Baldry, Bastone, Birch, Brazil, Brown, Chown, Foss, Hawkins, Hodgson, Holway, Hopwood, Jackson, Kemp, Long, May, McKay, O’Callaghan, Pannell, Pearce, Pennington, Pringle, Reeve, Rowe, Smerdon, Spencer, Sweett and Taylor

Against the motion (0):

Abstentions (0):

Absent (2):  Cllrs Rose and Thomas

       and the vote on the motion was therefore declared CARRIED.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.      That the Capital Programme for 2020/21 (totalling £2,480,000 and as attached at Appendix A of the presented agenda report) be approved;

2.      That the Capital Programme for 2020/21 (totalling £1,250,000 and as attached at Exempt Appendix B of the presented agenda report) be approved; and

3.      That the 2020/21 Capital Programme of £3,730,000 be financed from the funding sources as set out in Section 4 of the presented agenda report.