Agenda item

a) Motion from Cllr Mott

“That in recognition of 2023 being the 40th Anniversary of the Council’s association with Wesseling, Germany, the Council send a letter acknowledging this milestone and expressing our good wishes for the festive season and the New Year”

b) Proposals for on-street parking charges by Devon County Council

CM 52/23      

The Mayor proceeded to inform the meeting that she had agreed for three items of urgent business to be considered.  These items were deemed to be urgent in light of the time constraints associated with each matter.

a)  From Cllr Mott

“That in recognition of 2023 being the 40th Anniversary of the Council’s association with Wesseling, Germany, the Council send a letter acknowledging this milestone and expressing our good wishes for the festive season and the New Year.”

There being no debate, it was then:

RESOLVED

     That, in recognition of 2023 being the 40th Anniversary of the Council’s association with Wesseling, Germany, the Council send a letter acknowledging this milestone and expressing our good wishes for the festive season and the New Year.

b)  Update on the work of SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s      Family Association)

The Council’s lead Member for the SSAFA, Cllr Ball proceeded to give an update on Grants that had recently been paid to assist ex-Servicemen and Women and their families within the Borough Council area.

In concluding, Cllr Ball requested that Members contact him if they were aware of any current or past serving armed forces personnel within their respective local Wards who required support and/or assistance.

c)   Proposals for on-street parking charges by Devon County Council

Members considered an urgent report that sought the delegation of authority for the Lead Member for People and Communities, in consultation with the Director of Customer Services, to respond to Devon County Council’s consultation on the introduction of Pay and Display Car Parking Charges in Okehampton and Tavistock.

The item was considered urgent as the consultation period coincided with the Christmas break and there was no meeting of the Full Council scheduled before the deadline for receipt of consultation responses by the County Council.

During the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

(a)A number of Members expressed the view that, if adopted, the proposals would be very detrimental to the local town centre economy;

(b)An additional (part 2) of the recommendation was PROPOSED and SECONDED that read as follows:

‘2. the Council write directly to Devon County Council seeking an urgent meeting with key Members of the County Council, Borough Council, Okehampton and Tavistock Town Councils and other key stakeholders, with the set objective of understanding the rationale, full implications and impact of the proposals.’

In debate, this addition was welcomed and, when put to the vote, was declared CARRIED and therefore became part of the substantive motion;

(c)Members also felt it to be regrettable that the public consultation period was being undertaken over the festive period.  As a consequence, all Members were felt to have an important role to play in promoting awareness of the proposals (and the consultation exercise) within their respective local Wards;

(d)It was noted that both Tavistock and Okehampton Town Councils had been very proactive in their opposition to the proposals and the importance of a united voice with the Borough Council was emphasised.

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

1. Cllr Adam Bridgewater as Lead Member for People and Communities, in consultation with the Director of Customer Service and Delivery, be authorised to respond to the proposals for on-street parking charges in Okehampton and Tavistock on behalf of the Borough Council; and

2.  the Council write directly to Devon County Council seeking an urgent meeting with key Members of the County Council, Borough Council, Okehampton and Tavistock Town Councils and other key stakeholders, with the set objective of understanding the rationale, full implications and impact of the proposals.”