Agenda and minutes

CM 77/23     

In the absence of both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, nominations were sought to fulfil both of these roles for the duration of this meeting.

Having sought nominations, it was then 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 Cllr C Edmonds be appointed to the role of Mayor for the duration of this Full Council meeting and Cllr A Bridgewater be appointed to the role of Deputy Mayor for the duration of this Full Council meeting.”

CM 78/23       

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Ball, Daniel, Mott and Sellis.

To approve and adopt as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 20 February 2024 and the Special Meeting of the Council held on 5 March 2024

CM 79/23       

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 Council agree the Minutes of both the Meeting held on 20 February 2024 and the Special Meeting held on 5 March 2024.”

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;

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

CM 80/23       

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.

CM 81/23       

The Mayor proceeded to inform the meeting of:

-        the wishes of Cllr Daniel to thank those Members who had attended her recent Civic Dinner;

-        a reminder that the annual Mayoral Awards presentation would be held following this Full Council meeting.  To that end, all Members were encouraged to stay for this event; and

-        the results of the recent Peer Challenge Review.  Officers and Members alike were thanked and congratulated for their tireless efforts that had been reflected in such positive feedback following the recent Review.  In terms of next steps, it was intended that a copy of the Review Report would be received by the Council within the next four weeks before it was then formally published for consideration at the next Hub Committee Meeting (to be held on 22 June 2024).

CM 82/23       

The Mayor advised that no Public Questions had been received from the public in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules.

CM 83/23       

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

CM 84/23          

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

CM 85/23       

(a)     Overview And Scrutiny Committee; 13 February 2024

         It was moved by Cllr P Kimber, seconded by Cllr A Johnson and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2024 be received and noted.”

(b)     Council Tax Setting Committee; 22 February 2024

It was moved 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 Minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2024 be received and noted.”

(c)     Hub Committee – 5 March 2024

It was moved 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 Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024 be received and noted, with the exception of recommendations  HC 57/23, HC 60/23 (Part 2) and HC 66/23 (Part 1)”

In respect of the Recommendations:

HC 57/23: Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Plan:

It was moved 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 Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Plan (as set out at Appendix A of the agenda report presented to the Hub Committee meeting) be endorsed.”

HC 62/23: Housing Benefit War Pensions Disregard Policy

It was moved 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 Housing Benefit War Pensions Disregard Policy (as set out at Appendix A of the agenda report presented to the Hub Committee meeting) be approved.”

HC HC.67/23: Fusion Lifestyle – Leisure Contract Update

Members noted that this recommendation was to be considered at Exempt agenda item 16 (Minute CM 91/23 below refers).

CM 86/23                   

The Council considered a report that recommended approval of the proposed Capital Strategy, Investment Strategy and Treasury Management for 2024/25, together with their associated prudential indicators.).

During the ensuing discussion, there was widespread praise and thanks extended to the Section 151 Officer and her Finance Team for their excellent financial management in ensuring that the Council was in a sound financial position.

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

1.       the following strategies for 2024-25 be approved:

a.     the Capital Strategy (as at Appendix A of the published agenda report);

b.     the Treasury Management Strategy (as at Appendix B of the published agenda report); and

c.     the Investment Strategy (as attached at Appendix C of the published agenda report); and

2.      authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the lead Hub Committee Member for Resources, to make any minor amendments to these Strategies if required throughout the 2024/25 Financial Year.”

CM 87/23       

Council considered a report that sought approval to adopt an updated Health and Safety Policy Statement.

During debate, it was confirmed that a health and safety focused Member training session was to be convened in the upcoming weeks, which would include reference to lone working.  This confirmation was welcomed by Members.

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 updated health and safety policy statement be adopted and signed by the Head of Paid Service and the Leader of the Council.”

CM 88/23       

In line with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011, Members considered a report that proposed adoption of the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24.

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

1.      the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 (as set out at Appendix A of the presented agenda report) be adopted; and

2.      the narrowing in pay differentials compared to the previous 12 months be noted.”

CM 89/23       

Consideration was given to a report that presented the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25 for adoption.

It was then proposed by Cllr M Ewings, seconded by Cllr M Renders upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25 (as set out at Appendix A of the presented agenda report) be approved.”

CM 90/23       

A report was considered that requested the Council note the revised political composition of the Council following the resignation of Mr Peter Squire from the Council.

It was then proposed by Cllr M Ewings, seconded by Cllr M Renders upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that the revised political composition of the Council (as set out in paragraph 2.1 of the published agenda report) be noted.”

“That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in order to avoid the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”;

CM 91/23       

RESOLVED

That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act is involved

CM 92/23       

Members considered an Exempt report seeking approval for a variation to the Council’s existing contract with Fusion Leisure.

In discussion, a number of Members expressed their support for the proposals contained within the Exempt agenda papers and it was then proposed by Cllr T Leech, seconded by Cllr M Ewings upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that:

1.      the contract variation and payment profile for the years 2023-24 to 2027-28 (as set out in section 4 of the published exempt agenda report) be approved;

2.      the funds from the Leisure Earmarked Reserve (as specified in the published exempt agenda report) be used to fund the shortfall of the payment fee between the two years of 2023/24 and 2024/25; and

3.      authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Economy, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Leader of Council, to finalise the terms of the profit share agreement for the five years 2023-24 to 2027-28.”