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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Exeter Corn Exchange

Contact: Karen Strahan 01392 382264  Email: karen.strahan@devon.gov.uk

Note: Due to Covid restrictions and social distancing measures, members of the press and public must contact the Clerk to book a place should they wish to attend this meeting in person. 

Media

Items
No. Item

19.

Minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on

27 May 2021.

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Chair of the Council MOVED and it was duly SECONDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

Minutes:

The Chair of the Council MOVED and it was duly SECONDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

20.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair formally welcomed Melissa Caslake (Chief Officer for Children’s Services) to her first ‘in person’ Council meeting. 

 

He then reported that the Council had won the 2021 SEND Apprenticeship Champion. This was the elite of the country’s apprentice employers, providers and sector leaders who had been honoured at the FE Week-AELP Annual Apprenticeship Conference Awards.

 

Twenty-three winners across different apprenticeship routes had been recognised, and there were additional awards for SEND, diversity, special recognition, outstanding contribution, promoting apprenticeships and overall apprentice provider and employer awards.

 

The Chair outlined that for the Council to win the 2021 SEND Apprenticeship Champion was a real accolade for the young people in jobs, as well as the Council as an employer and also more importantly for SEND outcomes.

 

The Chair then announced that the Heart of the South West Better Business for All partnership (Hot SW BBFA), had in June, won the Better Business for All award at the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) Regulatory Excellence Awards ceremony.

 

Better Business For All was a partnership of the region’s local authorities – including Devon County Council – business groups, regulators and trading standards services and the award celebrated outstanding regulatory practice that achieved positive outcomes in supporting businesses and protecting consumers. 

 

In their award entry, HotSW BBFA explained how, with Covid engulfing the country and hitting businesses hard, they had worked to support businesses through the unknown challenges and the opportunities of the EU Transition.

 

The Chair congratulated all involved in the receipt of the two awards.

 

He finally congratulated Councillor David Cox who had been awarded a BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

21.

Items Requiring Urgent Attention

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

 

22.

Public Participation: Petitions, Questions and Representations pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Petitions, Questions or Representations from Members of the public in line with the Council’s Petitions and Public Participation Schemes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no petition received from a member of the public.

 

In accordance with the Council's Public Participation Rules, the relevant Cabinet Member and a Chair of Committee responded to four questions from members of the public on the following issues:

 

·         infrastructure requirements for 5G, the move towards Zero Carbon Initiatives and how the increase in consumption (for 5G) translated into carbon emissions and how the Council planned to offset the increase in energy consumption;

·         the electricity power consumption of one 5G base station (mast);

·         the Devon Pension Fund, carbon intensity and the Climate Emergency Declaration;

·         carbon emissions associated with transport, new road schemes and investment in transportation schemes that would reduce emissions

 

The Cabinet Member and a Chair of a Committee responded orally to supplementary questions arising from the above.

 

A copy of the questions had been sent direct to the questioners who were not present at the meeting.

 

There were no oral representations by any member of the public.

 

(NB: A copy of the questions and answers are appended to these minutes and any supplementary questions and answers may be observed through the webcast of this meeting)

23.

Petitions from Members of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no Petition received from a Member of the Council.

 

24.

Questions from Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 268 KB

Answers to questions from Members of the Council pursuant to Standing Order 17.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules, the Leader and relevant Cabinet Members provided written responses to ten questions submitted by Members of the Council on the following matters:

 

·         support to help prevent King Edward VI secondary school in Totnes from having to sell land to fund outstanding improvements and the associated impacts of development and housing on air quality;

·         dirty road signs and guidance from the Council to community volunteers;

·         the safety of vulnerable children and young people in Devon;

·         timeliness, help and support for children and young people with additional mental health and emotional needs;

·         the role of the pandemic, statutory partners working together and the ability to have challenging conversations to joint solutions in Children’s Services;

·         how the Council would implement the findings from the Defra 5 Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) pilots to align to environmental strategies at a local level;

·         the UN Global Road Safety Week and action to implement low speed streets worldwide and whether the Council would sign up to the UN’s open letter to achieve and implement 20mph zones;

·         the current position and policy of the Council with regard to the use of animal snares on Council owned land and steps to ensure wildlife was not endangered;

·         progress with traveller sites and the traveller forum in Devon; and

·         how the energy consumption of 5G masts had been calculated, and the energy usage of 5G masts compared to the total energy consumption of 4G masts.

 

The Leader and relevant Cabinet Members also responded orally, as appropriate, to any supplementary questions arising therefrom.

 

(A copy of the questions and answers are appended to the minutes and any supplementary questions and answers may be observed through the webcast of this meeting).

25.

Cabinet Member Reports pdf icon PDF 262 KB

To consider reports from Cabinet Members.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council received reports from the relevant Cabinet Members on specific issues upon which they had been asked to comment, as set out below:

 

(a)       Policy, Corporate and Asset Management

 

Councillor Hart circulated a Report, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, on the County Farms Estate, investment and development work and the commitment and vision for the future. The Leader highlighted that the Farms Estate was in an improved condition since 2009 and there had been no plan to sell the Estate.  Whilst there was less farms than was the case in 2009, they were now more practical and viable for tenants. He summarised the Estates activity since 2009 in terms of land acquisition and sales, investment in replacement land, the generation of £27,896,345 in capital receipts and investment of £10,871,595 in improved infrastructure.

 

(b)       Economic Recovery and Skills

 

Councillor Gilbert circulated a Report, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, on the surge in GPS equipment thefts from farms, work through trading standards operations with key partners in Devon to tackle the issues, work with tenant farmers to protect equipment and property and the  data, figures and trends about agricultural crime in Devon. He highlighted that the Devon, Plymouth, Somerset & Torbay Trading Standards Service (TS) had close working links with both Devon & Cornwall and Avon & Somerset Police forces and officers liaise with their Rural Affairs Teams on a regular basis, sharing intelligence and monitoring rural crime trends.

 

He also reported on the UK & Australia Free Trade Agreement and the impact of the Agricultural Sector and any representations made by the Council with Devon Members of Parliament to ensure the best deal for Devon was achieved and also on the analysis and scoping work that had been undertaken to assess the potential strengths, weaknesses and threats from the changes, for farmers, food producers and rural communities. He added that the Council’s close working partners and the NFU had undertaken an indepth analysis of the deal, which they had shared with our Economic Recovery and Skills team. Recent briefings to Senior Ministers, MPs and Civil Servants had also be provided on this issue.

 

He further reported on economic activity up to 2019 for Devon (as this was the latest data available) and also provisional national data for the first part of 2021 which had just been released covering issues such as unemployment and vacancy data (by gender, age and District) as well as the outlook and issues for key sectors such as agriculture engineering, health and social care, tourism and retail.

 

A full set of tables were attached in the Appendix to the Report.

 

The Cabinet Member highlighted that a commissioned project on economic projections predicted a forecasted loss of output / productivity similar to the UK wide impact of almost 10% for 2020 as a whole, but with particular lags in recovery in Mid and West Devon and a slightly faster recovery in Exeter. 

 

The rapidly changing situation in all sectors across Devon was being closely monitored.

 

(c)       Public Health, Communities and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 98 KB

To receive and adopt and / or approve the Minutes of the under mentioned Committees

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Chair of the Council MOVED and it was duly SECONDED that the Minutes of the under-mentioned meetings of Committees be approved:

 

Appeals Committee                                     -           7 June 2021

Investment & Pension Fund Committee  -           18 June 2021

Standards Committee                                 -           29 June 2021

Audit Committee                                           -           30 June 2021

Public Rights of Way Committee               -           1 July 2021

Procedures Committee                               -           2 July 2021

Appointments, Remuneration and

Chief Office Conduct Committee               -           19 July 2021

Including approval of minute 5 regarding the recruitment of the Heads of Service within the Children’s Services Department (Head of Children’s Social Care and Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing)

 

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

Minutes:

The Chair of the Council MOVED and it was duly SECONDED that the Minutes of the under-mentioned meetings of Committees be approved:

 

Appeals Committee                                     -           7 June 2021

Investment & Pension Fund Committee  -           18 June 2021

Standards Committee                                 -           29 June 2021

Audit Committee                                           -           30 June 2021

Public Rights of Way Committee               -           1 July 2021

Procedures Committee                               -           2 July 2021

Appointments, Remuneration and

Chief Office Conduct Committee               -           19 July 2021

Including approval of minute 5 regarding the recruitment of the Heads of Service within the Children’s Services Department (Head of Children’s Social Care and Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing)

 

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

27.

Saving Our Precious National Parks (Minute 378 - 29 April 2021)

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 9) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Connett and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely: 

 

Our precious National Parks, including Dartmoor and Exmoor, are loved by millions and used by many thousands of people.

 

The LOCAL Park Authorities comprise LOCAL representatives who know and serve the community and keep LOCAL oversight of Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park.

 

Government is understood to be considering setting up a National Landscape Service which would centralise services under one, nationally run, new organisation.

 

A National Landscapes Service that effectively replaces individual National Park Authorities would not be a positive reform:

 

·       It is contrary to the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda which involves government decentralising power and working more directly with local partners and communities.

·       The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto stated that “the days of Whitehall knows best are over” (p.26) and pledged to give communities of all sizes far more control. This Council questions how a centralist National Landscapes Service would achieve this.

·       The move is contrary to international good practice in the management of protected landscapes which emphasises the importance of management being undertaken with and through local people and mainly for and by them.

·       Locally run and locally managed National Parks are able to respond in the most appropriate way to their own unique qualities and without the burden and red-tape of national management.

 

Therefore, this Council urges Government not to proceed with a National Landscape Service or to take any step which will remove local engagement and involvement in our precious national parks and Council instructs the Chief Executive to write urgently to the Prime Minister and local Members of Parliament serving Devon and Somerset setting out our support for our local National Parks.

 

Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (CSO/21/10) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:

 

‘that Council be asked to note that this Authority, on behalf of Team Devon (Leaders and Chief Executives), has already explicitly addressed the issue raised by this Notice of Motion, indicating to Government and local MPs that any merger of the functions of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be strongly opposed.  However, there remains a case for a National Landscape service bringing together and strengthening existing national support and protection of our natural environment and providing a strong national voice for all protected landscapes’.

Additional documents:

Decision:

‘that Council be asked to note that this Authority, on behalf of Team Devon (Leaders and Chief Executives), has already explicitly addressed the issue raised by this Notice of Motion, indicating to Government and local MPs that any merger of the functions of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be strongly opposed.  However, there remains a case for a National Landscape service bringing together and strengthening existing national support and protection of our natural environment and providing a strong national voice for all protected landscapes’.

           

The Motion in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

Minutes:

Pursuant to County Council Minute 378 of 29 April 2021 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Connett that: 

                    

Our precious National Parks, including Dartmoor and Exmoor, are loved by millions and used by many thousands of people.

 

The LOCAL Park Authorities comprise LOCAL representatives who know and serve the community and keep LOCAL oversight of Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park.

 

Government is understood to be considering setting up a National Landscape Service which would centralise services under one, nationally run, new organisation.

 

A National Landscapes Service that effectively replaces individual National Park Authorities would not be a positive reform:

 

·       It is contrary to the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda which involves government decentralising power and working more directly with local partners and communities.

·       The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto stated that “the days of Whitehall knows best are over” (p.26) and pledged to give communities of all sizes far more control. This Council questions how a centralist National Landscapes Service would achieve this.

·       The move is contrary to international good practice in the management of protected landscapes which emphasises the importance of management being undertaken with and through local people and mainly for and by them.

·       Locally run and locally managed National Parks are able to respond in the most appropriate way to their own unique qualities and without the burden and red-tape of national management.

 

Therefore, this Council urges Government not to proceed with a National Landscape Service or to take any step which will remove local engagement and involvement in our precious national parks and Council instructs the Chief Executive to write urgently to the Prime Minister and local Members of Parliament serving Devon and Somerset setting out our support for our local National Parks.

 

and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 9 of 9 June 2021:

 

Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and;

 

‘that Council be asked to note that this Authority, on behalf of Team Devon (Leaders and Chief Executives), has already explicitly addressed the issue raised by this Notice of Motion, indicating to Government and local MPs that any merger of the functions of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be strongly opposed.  However, there remains a case for a National Landscape service bringing together and strengthening existing national support and protection of our natural environment and providing a strong national voice for all protected landscapes’.

         

The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

Councillor Connett then MOVED and Councillor Cox SECONDED that the following words be removed (as annotated below with a strikethrough).

 

‘that Council be asked to note that this Authority, on behalf of Team Devon (Leaders and Chief Executives), has already explicitly addressed the issue raised by this Notice of Motion, indicating to Government and local MPs that any merger of the functions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Speed Limits - Deaf Academy and Wider Devon (Minute 16 - 27th May 2021)

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 22) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Dewhirst and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely;

 

Background to the Motion 

The Deaf Academy has been providing education and support for deaf young people in Devon since 1826. In September 2020, they relocated from Exeter to Exmouth to a new campus at the old Rolle College Site at Douglas Avenue. 

 

The Deaf Academy is an education hub for 50 students, 30 of which stay within the residential provision on campus. Students are incredibly diverse and come from all over the country, with varying needs ranging from mobility, visual and special educational needs alongside their deafness. 

 

Last term the Student Council started a campaign to reduce the speed limit. Other schools in Exmouth have 20 mph speed limits outside their entrances. 

 

Unlike hearing children, deaf children cannot clearly identify cars in the distance or around corners through sound. They rely on sight and trusting the public are driving slowly in the area. 

 

Douglas Avenue currently has a 30mph speed limit with various blind spots and does not have any targeted highway signage, traffic calming measures or crossing points near the Academy.  

 

Consequently, the avenue poses a risk to students, staff and visitors and therefore: 

 

Motion to Council 

1.      This Council applauds the Deaf Academy Student Council campaign to reduce the speed of traffic in Douglas Avenue. Council calls on our Highway Officers to urgently introduce a 20 mph speed limit in Douglas Avenue and install a zebra crossing outside the school to ensure that these children and young people can cross the road in safety, and, 

2.      Additionally, this Council calls on Highway Officers to bring a Report to Council before the end of 2021 on implementing 20 mph speed limits in the vicinity of all schools in Devon to ensure that all children and young people can arrive and leave their schools in greater safety. 

 

Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (CSO/21/11) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:

 

That Council

 

(a) thank the pupils at the Deaf Academy at Douglas Avenue for highlighting their concerns;

 

(b) agree any future proposals to address the concerns of the Deaf Academy are presented at a future East Devon HATOC; and

 

(c) support the proposal to include specific consideration of the application of 20mph limits around schools as part of the study into speed in Newton Abbot.

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Councillor Dewhirst declared a personal interest in the matter by virtue of being a trustee of the charity which owns the deaf academy).

 

(a) thank the pupils at the Deaf Academy at Douglas Avenue for highlighting their concerns;

 

(b) agree any future proposals to address the concerns of the Deaf Academy are presented at a future East Devon HATOC; and

 

(c) support the proposal to include specific consideration of the application of 20mph limits around schools as part of the study into speed in Newton Abbot.

 

The Motion in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

Minutes:

(Councillor Dewhirst declared a personal interest in the matter by virtue of being a trustee of the charity which owns the deaf academy).

 

Pursuant to County Council Minute 16 of 27 May 2021 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Dewhirst that: 

                       

Background to the Motion 

The Deaf Academy has been providing education and support for deaf young people in Devon since 1826. In September 2020, they relocated from Exeter to Exmouth to a new campus at the old Rolle College Site at Douglas Avenue. 

 

The Deaf Academy is an education hub for 50 students, 30 of which stay within the residential provision on campus. Students are incredibly diverse and come from all over the country, with varying needs ranging from mobility, visual and special educational needs alongside their deafness. 

 

Last term the Student Council started a campaign to reduce the speed limit. Other schools in Exmouth have 20 mph speed limits outside their entrances. 

 

Unlike hearing children, deaf children cannot clearly identify cars in the distance or around corners through sound. They rely on sight and trusting the public are driving slowly in the area. 

 

Douglas Avenue currently has a 30mph speed limit with various blind spots and does not have any targeted highway signage, traffic calming measures or crossing points near the Academy.  

 

Consequently, the avenue poses a risk to students, staff and visitors and therefore: 

 

Motion to Council 

1.      This Council applauds the Deaf Academy Student Council campaign to reduce the speed of traffic in Douglas Avenue. Council calls on our Highway Officers to urgently introduce a 20 mph speed limit in Douglas Avenue and install a zebra crossing outside the school to ensure that these children and young people can cross the road in safety, and, 

2.      Additionally, this Council calls on Highway Officers to bring a Report to Council before the end of 2021 on implementing 20 mph speed limits in the vicinity of all schools in Devon to ensure that all children and young people can arrive and leave their schools in greater safety. 

 

and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 22 of 14 July 2021:

 

Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that Council;

 

(a) thank the pupils at the Deaf Academy at Douglas Avenue for highlighting their concerns;

 

(b) agree any future proposals to address the concerns of the Deaf Academy are presented at a future East Devon HATOC; and

 

(c) support the proposal to include specific consideration of the application of 20mph limits around schools as part of the study into speed in Newton Abbot.

 

Councillor Wrigley then MOVED and Councillor Leaver SECONDED the following amendment with the following words removed (annotated by a strikethough).

 

(a) thank the pupils at the Deaf Academy at Douglas Avenue for highlighting their concerns;

 

(b) agree any future proposals to address the concerns of the Deaf Academy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Councils for Fair Tax Declaration: Standing up for Fair Tax Practices (Minute 17 - 27th May 2021)

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 22) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Aves and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely:

 

The Council notes:

 

That local residents are asking Devon County Council to sign up to the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.

 

The Fair Tax Mark has developed the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration in collaboration with UK cities, counties and towns who believe they can, and should stand up for responsible tax conduct. Councils-for-Fair-Tax-Declaration.pdf (fairtaxmark.net)

 

As recipients of significant public funding councils should take the lead in the promotion of exemplary tax conduct. Polls have found that 63% of the public agree that the government and local councils should consider a company’s ethics and how they pay their taxes as well as value for money and quality of service, when undertaking procurement. That three-quarters of people would rather shop or work for a business that can prove it is paying its fair share of tax.

 

Fair Tax Mark said there was “a pressing need for action”, claiming that research it commissioned had discovered that 17.5% of UK public procurement contracts commissioned by local and national government over the period 2014-19 were won by businesses with connections to a tax haven, with a combined value of £37.5 bn.

 

Billions are missing from our public purse because some companies choose to avoid paying their corporation tax - the same companies who have since benefited from taxpayer support through this crisis or have asked for bailouts.

 

This means we have less money available for the vital public services we all rely on, and that the smaller, local businesses in our county can’t compete because it’s not a level playing field.

 

That other Councils around the UK have already signed up to the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration including Peterborough City, Oxford City, Oldham, Cannock Chase, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

 

The Council believes:

 

Councillors across the UK work hard to serve their local communities and help direct the delivery of essential public services. The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed major weaknesses in our economy and deep-seated inequalities in our society.  To Build Back Better we must tackle tax avoidance and Councils can pioneer the promotion of responsible tax conduct through:

 

·       Leading by example on their own tax conduct

 

·       Demanding greater transparency from suppliers

Having gone through a decade of austerity and reduced council spending caused by government reductions in grants, where funds have not kept up with demands of inflation and extra demands of new legal statutory duties,  we’re now living through an era of unprecedented public spending due to the pandemic.

 

As a council, we have seen first-hand the challenge that a funding squeeze created for crucial frontline services. Local government has a proud history of standing up for responsible public sector conduct, ranging from paying the real Living Wage to promoting Fairtrade.

 

The Council resolves to:

 

1.    Approve the Councils for Fair  ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Councillor Cox declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being member of the co-operative group who were responsible for the initiating the fair tax motion)

 

(a) the County Council is committed to supporting the principles and ethos relating to fair tax. This commitment is enacted through the Council’s Financial Regulations and procurement policies.  These regulations and policies align with statutory requirements and the Cabinet Office supplier accreditation standards and ensure best practice, adherence to regulations and ensuring those regulations are maintained;

 

(b) the Council already applies many of the considerations within this motion, wherever possible in the course of its work.  For supplier qualification, the Council is required to apply Cabinet Office procurement policy which sets national standards for tax compliance as part of supplier qualification criteria for public contracts; and

 

(c) Council continue to support fair tax principles through the application of its financial regulations and procurement policies, however in order to remain aligned with Cabinet Office national policy for supplier qualification, Council be recommended not to formally sign the Declaration itself.

 

The Motion in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

Minutes:

(Councillor Cox declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being member of the co-operative group who were responsible for the initiating the fair tax motion)

 

Pursuant to County Council Minute 17 of 27th May 2021 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Aves that:

 

The Council notes:

 

That local residents are asking Devon County Council to sign up to the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration. The Fair Tax Mark has developed the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration in collaboration with UK cities, counties and towns who believe they can, and should stand up for responsible tax conduct. Councils-for Fair-Tax-Declaration.pdf (fairtaxmark.net)

 

As recipients of significant public funding councils should take the lead in the promotion of exemplary tax conduct. Polls have found that 63% of the public agree that the government and local councils should consider a company’s ethics and how they pay their taxes as well as value for money and quality of service, when undertaking procurement. That three-quarters of people would rather shop or work for a business that can prove it is paying its fair share of tax.

 

Fair Tax Mark said there was “a pressing need for action”, claiming that research it commissioned had discovered that 17.5% of UK public procurement contracts commissioned by local and national government over the period 2014-19 were won by businesses with connections to a tax haven, with a combined value of £37.5 bn.

 

Billions are missing from our public purse because some companies choose to avoid paying their corporation tax - the same companies who have since benefited from taxpayer support through this crisis or have asked for bailouts.

 

This means we have less money available for the vital public services we all rely on, and that the smaller, local businesses in our county can’t compete because it’s not a level playing field.

 

That other Councils around the UK have already signed up to the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration including Peterborough City, Oxford City, Oldham, Cannock Chase, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

 

The Council believes:

 

Councillors across the UK work hard to serve their local communities and help direct the delivery of essential public services. The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed major weaknesses in our economy and deep-seated inequalities in our society. To Build Back Better we must tackle tax avoidance and Councils can pioneer the promotion of responsible tax conduct through:

 

· Leading by example on their own tax conduct

· Demanding greater transparency from suppliers

 

Having gone through a decade of austerity and reduced council spending caused by government reductions in grants, where funds have not kept up with demands of inflation and extra demands of new legal statutory duties, we’re now living through an era of unprecedented public spending due to the pandemic.

 

As a council, we have seen first-hand the challenge that a funding squeeze created for crucial frontline services. Local government has a proud history of standing up for responsible public sector  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

Limits to Vehicle Speed and Size on Minor Rural Roads

Councillor Hodgson to move:

 

This Council will investigate and seek policy based solutions that can be implemented, to address and mitigate the growing problem of large agricultural vehicles and HGVs that frequent minor rural roads that are unsuitable for their use, that will:

 

Limit the size of vehicles to improve safety for other road users and reduce damage to Devon Banks, old walls, hedges, wildlife habitats and roadside drains

 

Limit the speed of all motorised vehicles to be consistent with safe levels regarding visibility (i.e. blind bends and turns in the road) and the associated risk of collision with other road users.

 

Recognise of the rights of other rural road users, including residents, pedestrians, cyclists, persons with disabilities and wildlife; all of whom need safe access and use of rural roads with safety and tranquility.

 

Exercise DCC’s legal duty to protect formally protected wildlife species and habitats and designated built heritage.

 

Seek to implement the ‘Quiet Lanes scheme in and around rural settlements by inviting parish council’s to propose roads that might be eligible for this designation (under the Quiet Lanes and Homes Zones (England) Regulations 2006.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor Hodgson MOVED and Councillor Bradford SECONDED

 

This Council will investigate and seek policy based solutions that can be implemented, to address and mitigate the growing problem of large agricultural vehicles and HGVs that frequent minor rural roads that are unsuitable for their use, that will:

 

Limit the size of vehicles to improve safety for other road users and reduce damage to Devon Banks, old walls, hedges, wildlife habitats and roadside drains

 

Limit the speed of all motorised vehicles to be consistent with safe levels regarding visibility (i.e. blind bends and turns in the road) and the associated risk of collision with other road users.

 

Recognise of the rights of other rural road users, including residents, pedestrians, cyclists, persons with disabilities and wildlife; all of whom need safe access and use of rural roads with safety and tranquillity.

 

Exercise DCC’s legal duty to protect formally protected wildlife species and habitats and designated built heritage.

 

Seek to implement the ‘Quiet Lanes scheme in and around rural settlements by inviting parish council’s to propose roads that might be eligible for this designation (under the Quiet Lanes and Homes Zones (England) Regulations 2006.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

31.

20mph Speed Limit Zones

Councillor Hodgson to move:

 

In response to the growing demand for safer vehicle speeds in town and village centres and along residential roads, this Council will now consider further applications for 20mph pilot schemes that can be implemented in parallel with the Newton Abbott pilot scheme to ensure a more timely response to supporting Active Travel measures that need reduced vehicular speeds to be implemented and effective.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor HodgsonMOVED and Councillor Bradford SECONDED

 

In response to the growing demand for safer vehicle speeds in town and village centres and along residential roads, this Council will now consider further applications for 20mph pilot schemes that can be implemented in parallel with the Newton Abbott pilot scheme to ensure a more timely response to supporting Active Travel measures that need reduced vehicular speeds to be implemented and effective.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

32.

Public Health Improvements and Active Travel Measures

Councillor Hodgson to move:

 

In light of changes to commuter and public travel and in recognition of this Council’s commitment to post-COVID recovery measures as outlined in the recently published Public Health Annual Report for Devon, this Council will consider diverting financial resources away from new road schemes and instead re-invest these monies in an improved network of non-vehicular routes to enable Active Travel measures to be implemented more widely across Devon and provide these safe routes for residents in and around every town in the County (and ultimately every parish to be so linked to its closest towns and facilities).  Such investment would then support the recommendations in DCC’s own Public Heath report, most of which seek improvements to fairness, air quality, access to active travel and access to nature to improve public health by extending the ‘Health in All Policies’ approach.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor HodgsonMOVED and Councillor Bradford SECONDED

 

In light of changes to commuter and public travel and in recognition of this Council’s commitment to post-COVID recovery measures as outlined in the recently published Public Health Annual Report for Devon, this Council will consider diverting financial resources away from new road schemes and instead re-invest these monies in an improved network of non-vehicular routes to enable Active Travel measures to be implemented more widely across Devon and provide these safe routes for residents in and around every town in the County (and ultimately every parish to be so linked to its closest towns and facilities).  Such investment would then support the recommendations in DCC’s own Public Heath report, most of which seek improvements to fairness, air quality, access to active travel and access to nature to improve public health by extending the ‘Health in All Policies’ approach.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

33.

Biodiversity and Habitats

Councillor Hodgson to move:

 

This Council recognises the urgent need to support, protect and enhance biodiversity and habitats.  It therefore agrees to:

 

1.    Consider new ways that could be used through the planning system to ensure and check that wildlife and habitat mitigation measures agreed by planning condition are carried out and effective, and develop appropriate policies,

2.    Work with Local Planning Authorities (LPA’s) within Devon to ensure that measuring and monitoring of wildlife and biodiversity is carried out at a range of key (indicator) locations over the life of their Local Development Plans,

3.    Develop a policy that would seek implementation of urgent remedial actions that may be advised by recognised experts regarding habitat degradation,

4.    Assess the potential cumulative impacts on wildlife and habitats as and when planning applications for major developments are proposed within 500m of wildlife corridors, known habitats of protected species, planning consultation zones, green field sites, together with the impact of other nearby residential or commercial development applications, sites or built up areas within 500 meters.  This information to be part of the application papers prior to validation for the planning process.

5.    Strengthen and implement fully, habitats screening prior to validation of planning applications,

6.    Ensure that any littering in public spaces, in particular that left by waste collection services is cleaned up immediately and thereby prevent this wildlife hazard from spreading.  This could be enforced by employing more Enforcement officers.

7.    Consider options for ‘on the spot’ fines against developers who damage or harm significant wildlife habitats including Devon Banks, mature native trees and other habitats known to be used by protected wildlife species.

8.    Ban the use of pesticides and herbicides including glyphosate (commercially known as Roundup) on Council owned land.

9.    Consider virtual supports that can be provided to enable parish councils, local organisations and residents to propose highway verges and other publicly owned green spaces for Life on the Verge sites; i.e. sites that could benefit wildlife and biodiversity by being left to an out of season cutting regime.  This could be provided via an extension of the on-line mapping pages to include a new ‘Life on the Verge’ page on the Report it (Highways) on-line services.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor Hodgson MOVED and Councillor Bradford SECONDED

 

This Council recognises the urgent need to support, protect and enhance biodiversity and habitats.  It therefore agrees to:

 

·         Consider new ways that could be used through the planning system to ensure and check that wildlife and habitat mitigation measures agreed by planning condition are carried out and effective, and develop appropriate policies,

·         Work with Local Planning Authorities (LPA’s) within Devon to ensure that measuring and monitoring of wildlife and biodiversity is carried out at a range of key (indicator) locations over the life of their Local Development Plans,

·         Develop a policy that would seek implementation of urgent remedial actions that may be advised by recognised experts regarding habitat degradation,

·         Assess the potential cumulative impacts on wildlife and habitats as and when planning applications for major developments are proposed within 500m of wildlife corridors, known habitats of protected species, planning consultation zones, green field sites, together with the impact of other nearby residential or commercial development applications, sites or built up areas within 500 meters.  This information to be part of the application papers prior to validation for the planning process.

·         Strengthen and implement fully, habitats screening prior to validation of planning applications,

·         Ensure that any littering in public spaces, in particular that left by waste collection services is cleaned up immediately and thereby prevent this wildlife hazard from spreading.  This could be enforced by employing more Enforcement officers.

·         Consider options for ‘on the spot’ fines against developers who damage or harm significant wildlife habitats including Devon Banks, mature native trees and other habitats known to be used by protected wildlife species.

·         Ban the use of pesticides and herbicides including glyphosate (commercially known as Roundup) on Council owned land.

·         Consider virtual supports that can be provided to enable parish councils, local organisations and residents to propose highway verges and other publicly owned green spaces for Life on the Verge sites; i.e. sites that could benefit wildlife and biodiversity by being left to an out of season cutting regime.  This could be provided via an extension of the on-line mapping pages to include a new ‘Life on the Verge’ page on the Report it (Highways) on-line services.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

34.

Women's Health Inequalities

Councillor Atkinson to move:

 

This Councils share concerns raised in the House of Lords recent debate following the call for evidence on women’s health  about the risk of COVID-19 accelerating women’s health inequalities, for example due to delays in regular screening that are likely to increase the number of women with pelvic and breast cancers and the increased likelihood as data shows that women suffer more than men from long covid and other auto immune illnesses such as ME Fibromyalgia Sarcoidosis  as well as Migraines.

 

This Council requests the Government to invest more into research on women’s health when it sets out its strategy for improving women’s health.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor Atkinson MOVED and Councillor Adams SECONDED

 

This Councils share concerns raised in the House of Lords recent debate following the call for evidence on women’s health  about the risk of COVID-19 accelerating women’s health inequalities, for example due to delays in regular screening that are likely to increase the number of women with pelvic and breast cancers and the increased likelihood as data shows that women suffer more than men from long covid and other auto immune illnesses such as ME Fibromyalgia Sarcoidosis  as well as Migraines.

 

This Council requests the Government to invest more into research on women’s health when it sets out its strategy for improving women’s health.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

35.

Single Use Plastics

Councillor Atkinson to move:

 

This Council believes we have a single use plastics problem in Devon and will respond to parliaments plastics waste enquiry Chaired by the Devon MP Neil Parish to suggest how we can overcome the  single use plastics problem  and reduce waste and ensure we do not export our single use plastic problem overseas.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor Atkinson MOVED and Councillor Whitton SECONDED

 

This Council believes we have a single use plastics problem in Devon and will respond to parliaments plastics waste enquiry Chaired by the Devon MP Neil Parish to suggest how we can overcome the single use plastics problem and reduce waste and ensure we do not export our single use plastic problem overseas.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

36.

Industrial Strategy

Councillor Atkinson to move:

The Government scrapped the 2017 Industrial strategy that this Council and the Heart of the South West spent much time responding to with plans. The Government’s 2021 Build back better vision remains an aspiration and so far, there has been no announcement of any strategy to implement this. This is urgent as budgets are now set until 2022.

This Council

·       Supports the recommendations in the industrial strategy council’s annual report on March 2021 and

·       Believes if Devon is to prosper and respond effectively to the economic effects of Brexit and the Pandemic the Government should as a matter of urgency, be developing a long-term Net Zero Industrial Strategy, to accompany a more detailed road-map for the huge job of transforming the UK’s energy economy and post pandemic recovery and recognises that if the 2050 net zero greenhouse gas target is to be met it will need investment in skills and innovation to bring down the cost of the transition,

·       Believes the Government should set out a refocused Healthcare Industrial Strategy, building on the successes of the old “Life Sciences Strategy” but focusing more on population health, and learning both the positive and negative lessons from the way the UK’s health and life sciences sector responded to the pandemic.

·       Asks the Government to provide more funding for research and development to support the local marine, Aerospace engineering and design businesses.

Additional documents:

Decision:

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.

Minutes:

Councillor Atkinson MOVED and Councillor Adams SECONDED

The Government scrapped the 2017 Industrial strategy that this Council and the Heart of the South West spent much time responding to with plans. The Government’s 2021 Build back better vision remains an aspiration and so far, there has been no announcement of any strategy to implement this. This is urgent as budgets are now set until 2022.

This Council

·         Supports the recommendations in the industrial strategy council’s annual report on March 2021 and

·         Believes if Devon is to prosper and respond effectively to the economic effects of Brexit and the Pandemic the Government should as a matter of urgency, be developing a long-term Net Zero Industrial Strategy, to accompany a more detailed road-map for the huge job of transforming the UK’s energy economy and post pandemic recovery and recognises that if the 2050 net zero greenhouse gas target is to be met it will need investment in skills and innovation to bring down the cost of the transition,

·         Believes the Government should set out a refocused Healthcare Industrial Strategy, building on the successes of the old “Life Sciences Strategy” but focusing more on population health, and learning both the positive and negative lessons from the way the UK’s health and life sciences sector responded to the pandemic.

·         Asks the Government to provide more funding for research and development to support the local marine, Aerospace engineering and design businesses.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 6(6) the Notice of Motion was referred, without discussion, to the Cabinet for consideration.


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