Agenda and minutes

Members of the Council will declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered at this meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

The other registrable interests of Councillors of Devon County Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes.

For details of District and or Town and Parish Twin Hatters – please see here -

 A list of county councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors

The Chair reminded Members they should declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered, prior to any discussion taking place on that item. The details of District and or Town and Parish Twin Hatters was on the attached list -  A list of county councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2024, (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2024 were signed as a correct record.

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

There was no item requiring urgent attention. 

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/105)

Electoral Division:  All

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/105) on the statutory consultation on the restrictions proposed in the West Devon area, as part of the local waiting restrictions programme.

The proposals had been advertised from 19 September  until 10 October 2024. A summary of the proposals advertised were detailed in Appendix 1 (with associated plans) and details of the objections received to the proposals, and the Officers’ responses were shown in Appendix 2 of the Report. 

The respective local Members commented on each proposal. The timing of the site visit regarding ENV6143-367 to be agreed with the Ward Member. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Sanders, SECONDED by Councillor Southcott

(a)  that the local waiting restriction programme be NOTED; and 

(b)  that the recommendations contained in Appendix 2 of the report be agreed subject to the following.

(i)             ENV6143-367 Heritage Park, Tavistock that pending a site visit, authority be delegated to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Chair of the West Devon HATOC and Ward Member to determine the proposal.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/106)

Electoral Division:  All

The Committee NOTED the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/106) which set out the inclusive approach that Devon County Council currently follows regarding highways and planning.

During general discussion, Members referred to a number of new housing developments within the borough where ramped walkways had not been seemingly provided, leading to users with mobility/visual impairment, including pushchairs, having to walk on the street or via a series of steps.

Members also raised the issue of overgrown hedgerows where pavement width is reduced for accessibility, particularly alongside the A390.  Members were reminded that if the vegetation leaves less than 1.2m of space this could be deemed a safety issue and prompt a letter to the landowner with a request to cut back vegetation.  Costs to the landowner could be served if the work was not completed in a timely manner.

It was MOVED by Councillor Sanders, and SECONDED by Councillor Southcott and

RESOLVED that Cabinet be asked to investigate that the Highways Team, West Devon Borough Council and Developers are closer linked together in matters relating to inclusive mobility as it appears that there is currently a disconnect between them. 

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme.]

There was no petition presented at this meeting. 

Update from committee representative. The notes of the most recent meeting of the Bus Users and Stakeholders Forum (7 October 2024) are attached.

The Committee NOTED the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/60) which provided a summary of the last BUS Forum meeting.

Members referred to complaints received regarding bus and rail links between Tavistock and Okehampton. It was noted that this would be raised at the next Forum meeting. 

The West Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee will meet on the following dates:

Wednesday 26 March 2025, Tavistock

Friday 18 July 2025, Okehampton

Wednesday 3 December 2025, Tavistock

Monday 9 March 2026, Okehampton

Dates of next meeting of West Devon HATOC:

Wednesday 26 March 2025,         Tavistock

Friday 18 July 2025,                     Okehampton  

Wednesday 3 December 2025,    Tavistock