Agenda and minutes

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Recommendation: that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, information relating to the financial or business affairs of an individual other than the County Council and, in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, information relating to the financial or business affairs of an individual other than the County Council and, in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

In accordance with Paragraph 17 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Chair of the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Scrutiny Committee has invoked the call-in Procedure in relation to a Cabinet Member decision FIN 700 relating to a proposed land purchase (decision published on 6 February 2023).

The full reasons for the call in are in the attached document, but relate to costs, valuations and links to local plans.

The Cabinet Member Decision will be held in abeyance until the call-in procedure has been concluded.

If the Scrutiny Committee wish for Cabinet to take another course of action, this will be reported to the meeting of the Cabinet to be held on 8 March at 10.30am (unless there is a need to call a special Cabinet earlier).

If the Scrutiny Committee accept the decision, then it can be implemented immediately.

(An item taken under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during which the press and public were excluded)

(Councillor R Chesterton declared a personal interest by virtue of his membership of the Mid Devon District Council’s Planning Committee in so far as this matter related to the current and proposed Local Plans).

Councillors F Letch attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 (2) and spoke to this item and referred to the proposed purchase price and necessity and strategic value of the land in question; and Councillors J Hart and P Twiss attended in accordance with Standing 25 (1) and spoke with the consent of the Committee in support of the Cabinet Member decision and referred to the strategic importance of the land in question in the best interests of the County Council and the local community.  

In accordance with Paragraph 17 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Chair had invoked the call-in Procedure in relation to the Cabinet Member decision FIN 700 in regard to the proposed purchase of land in Crediton (decision published on 6 February 2023).

The Call-in in the name of the Chair related to costs, valuations and links to local plans.

The Head of Service (Digital Transformation & Business Support) reported on the initial guide price, further valuations, bid process and the strategic importance of the land in question in terms of access arrangements and possible future development and environmental and infrastructure considerations.

The Members referred to the strategic importance of the land in question and need to protect the County Council’s and the local community’s best interests in the longer term.  

It was MOVED by Councillor P Crabb, and SECONDED by Councillor J Brook and

RESOLVED that that the Cabinet Member decision (FIN 700) in relation to land purchase in Crediton be endorsed, as detailed in the Head of Service’s presentation.