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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SOUTH HAMS DISTRICT COUNCIL
HELD AT FOLLATON HOUSE, TOTNES ON THURSDAY, 9 MAY 2002
MEMBERS
* Cllr I Longrigg - Chairman
* Cllr G Rothwell - Vice-Chairman
Ø Cllr L P Austen
* Cllr N A Barnes
* Cllr J S Beer
Ø Cllr M T Bonney
* Cllr J P Bradley
* Cllr B E Carson
* Cllr P H Cook
* Cllr R F Croad
* Cllr G Date
* Cllr R M Eaton
* Cllr B C Evans
* Cllr S M Fairman
Ø Cllr J D Kelly
* Cllr O G F Masters
* Cllr E T Mitchell
* Cllr A J Nash
Ø Cllr J O’Connell
* Cllr C M Pannell
* Cllr J T Pennington
* Cllr P J Prudden
* Cllr R Rowe
* Cllr J W Squire
Ø Cllr C A Steen
* Cllr I P Steer
* Cllr G J Fielden
* Cllr G M Guthrie
* Cllr R W Hallett
* Cllr V A Harvey
* Cllr M Stone
* Cllr R J Tucker
* Cllr A R Vale
* Cllr A Ward
* Cllr J D Hawkins
* Cllr P W Hitchins
* Cllr E A Jarrold
* Denotes attendance
Ø Denotes apology for absence
* Cllr J B Washington
* Cllr J A Westacott
* Cllr R O Yonge
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL
RESOLVED
That Cllr G Rothwell be elected Chairman of the Council for the period expiring on the date of the annual meeting of the Council in
2003
Cllr Rothwell read and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
ADDRESS BY NEW CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL
Cllr Rothwell addressed the Council, referring particularly to:-
(a) The honour he felt at being elected to the position of Chairman of Council;
(b) The work which the officers of the Council do in maintaining the very high standards which have recently placed us, according to a national newspaper, within the top five best performing authorities in England;
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(c) The changes which the Council has recently gone through which has led to a different way of working for the Council;
(d) The need to ensure that any changes to the South Hams were done in such a way as to ensure that what is passed on to our successors is a better place;
(e)
That his chosen charity for the year would be the Children’s Hospice for the
South West.
VOTE OF THANKS TO THE RETIRING CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED
That the thanks of the Council be extended to Cllr Longrigg for the manner in which he performed his duties during his term of office as
Chairman of the Council.
RESPONSE BY RETIRING CHAIRMAN
Cllr Longrigg addressed the Council, referring particularly to:-
(a) The various events that he had organised in an attempt to raise the awareness of his charity, the Devon Dyslexia Association, and his delight at being able to raise £2,221.20 for that charity;
(b) The support that he had received primarily from his wife, but also from both
Members and staff;
(c) His pride in the South Hams and in particular his village.
APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL
RESOLVED
That Cllr P W Hitchins be appointed Vice Chairman of the Council for the period expiring on the date of the annual meeting of the
Council in 2003.
Cllr Hitchins read and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
MINUTES
The minutes of the special meeting of the Council held on 25 April were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
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ELECTION OF LEADER OF THE
COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE
RESOLVED
That Cllr R O Yonge be elected Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Executive for the 2002/03 municipal year.
ELECTION OF DEPUTY LEADER OF THE
COUNCIL AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE
RESOLVED
That Cllr R J Tucker be elected Deputy Leader of the Council and
Vice-Chairman of the Executive for the 2002/03 municipal year.
REPRESENTATION OF POLITICAL GROUPS ON BODIES
The Chairman advised Members that a review of the representation of the political groups on the Council’s bodies had been carried out and that the arrangements were reflected in the list of bodies which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
It was noted that in accordance with the Council’s constitution, consideration had been given to the size of the Development Control Committee and it was suggested that this be now reduced by one Member to 25.
RESOLVED
That the allocation of seats on committees as agreed with the leaders of the political groups be approved and that for the 2002/03 municipal year, the Development Control Committee comprise of 25
Members.
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEES AND BODIES OF THE COUNCIL
RESOLVED
That for the 2002/03 municipal year, Members be appointed to standing committees and bodies as set out in appendix A to these minutes.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN AND VICE CHAIRMEN
OF THE COMMITTEES AND BODIES OF THE COUNCIL
The Council received nominations for the positions of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the committees and bodies of the Council.
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RESOLVED
That the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the committees of the
Council for the 2002/03 municipal year:-
Body
Development
Control Committee
Salcombe
Harbour Board
Personnel Panel
Scrutiny
Community Policy
Development Group
Environment Policy
Development Group
Prosperity Policy
Development Group
Business Board
(Leisure, Car Parks &
Markets)
Business Board
(Operations Team)
Chairman Vice Chairman
Cllr E T Mitchell Cllr A J Nash
Cllr J S Beer
Cllr R O Yonge
Cllr G Fielden
Cllr P Cook
Cllr A J Nash
Cllr J O’Connell
Cllr L P Austen
Cllr R F Croad
Mr R Wheeler
(co-opted Member)
Cllr J O’Connell
Cllr P Prudden
Cllr B E Carson
Cllr R W Hallett
Cllr E A Jarrold
Cllr P J Prudden
Cllr E A Jarrold
APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
It was noted that following consultation with the Council’s current representatives, it was suggested that the Council should no longer be represented on a number of organisation.
RESOLVED
That for the 2002/03 municipal year, the appointment and nomination of representatives to serve on outside and other bodies, as detailed in appendix B to these minutes, be approved.
APPOINTMENT OF OTHER GROUPS
Members confirmed the appointment for the 2002/03 municipal year of:-
(a) Homeless Appeal Board;
(b) Joint Health & Safety Consultative Panel;
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(c) Tree Preservation Order Appeal Group;
(d) Village Hall Member Group.
RESOLVED
That the appointment of the other groups of the Council for the
2002/03 municipal year be approved as in appendix C to these minutes.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were invited to declare any interests they may have in any items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting. These were recorded as follows:-
Cllr G Date declared an interest in item 23 (minute 19/02 below refers) and left the meeting during consideration of this matter.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Council noted a list of recent civic engagements.
The Chairman announced the results of the Community Action Awards as follows and stated that arrangements were currently being made for the presentations to take place in the near future:-
“Social” Category
1 st
Malborough Music Festival
2 nd
Dartington Recreation Association
“Local Environment” Category
1 st
Stokenham Village Green Association
2 nd
Aveton Gifford Flood Alleviation Scheme
“Communications” Category
1 st
South Pool Parish Council
2 nd
Bigbury News
“Special Community of the Year Award”
1 st
Staverton Bell Restoration Fund
QUESTIONS
It was noted that no questions had been received in accordance with Council
Procedure Rule 8.
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DARTMOUTH SPORTS AND
COMMUNITY FACILITIES (Minute E.174/01 refers)
The Council was informed that the Executive at its meeting on 2 May 2002, had considered a report which outlined the progress made in developing the Sports and
Community Facilities at Norton, Dartmouth, and had recommended to the Council approval for the submission of a lottery application to Sport England for this development.
During discussion, the following points were raised:-
(a) The local Members thanked all those concerned in getting the proposal this far and hoped that the National Lottery application would be successful so that this much needed facility for Dartmouth could be developed as soon as practicably possible;
(b) An explanation of the anticipated revenue costs for the facility was given to the meeting;
(c) Members welcomed the partnership approach which had been developed whilst progressing the necessary work to get this far with the project.
RESOLVED
That submission of a lottery bid to Sport England, to construct indoor leisure and recreation facilities at Norton, Dartmouth, be approved.
CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
RESOLVED
That the calendar of meetings for the 2002/03 municipal year be approved as indicated in appendix D to these minutes.
HACKNEY CARRIAGES: OBJECTIONS AGAINST
PROPOSED FEES FOR LICENSES AND TABLE OF FARES
Consideration was given to a report which detailed an objection received against the proposed license fees and table of fares for taxis. Details were also given of the increases which had been agreed by the Council at its meeting on 14 February 2002
(Minute 141/01 refers) together with comparisons with fares charges by other neighbouring local authorities.
RESOLVED
1.
That the fees and charges and table of fares as determined by Council on 14 February 2002 be not varied;
2. That the fees and charges and table of fares shall come into effect on 13 May 2002.
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REPORTS OF BODIES
RESOLVED
That the minutes and recommendations of the undermentioned bodies be received and approved subject to any amendments listed below:-
(a) Salcombe Harbour Board 26 March 2002
(b) South Hams District and Devon County
Councils Partnership Committee 12 April 2002
(c) Community Policy Development Group 11 April 2002
(d) Business Board
(Leisure, Car Parks & Markets)
(e) Business Board (Operations Team)
18 April 2002
25 April 2002
(f) Scrutiny 21 March 2002
18 April 2002
SC.53/01 – Future Agenda Items
(i) A Member enquired as to the involvement of
District Council Representatives in the scrutiny of health services in the District.
In response it was noted that discussions were currently ongoing with Devon County Council (the relevant body for the scrutiny of health services in
Devon) for a district council involvement in such scrutiny activities. It was also noted that, following consultation with the Chief Executives of the South and West Primary Care Trust (PCT) and West
Devon Borough Council, agreement had been reached for a District/Borough Council involvement in the scrutiny of the PCT’s activities;
(ii) A Member also questioned the steps the Council could take to address the lack of policing, particularly community policing, within the District.
(g)
In response, it was noted that the first step was the
Scrutiny meeting when Scrutiny could understand the present level and nature of policing provision within the District and raise concerns. The Devon and Cornwall Constabulary would be invited to participate.
Personnel Panel 27 March 2002
9 May 2002
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(h) Development Control Committee
DC.76/01 – Planning Applications
3 April 2002
1 May 2002
A Member questioned whether the decision taken in respect of application 56/0364/02/F (3 metre extension to tower with antennae and associated equipment – NTL transmitting station, Totnes Down Hill, Totnes) would effect previous decisions on such telecommunications masts.
In response, it was confirmed that all planning applications were considered on their individual merits and that on this occasion, the Development Control Committee had felt that this proposal was acceptable.
(i) Executive
(Meeting commenced at 2.00 pm and concluded at 3.45 pm).
4 April 2002
2 May 2002
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Chairman
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