Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barker, Biederman, Chesters, Davis, Fowler, Knight, Ley, Saxby, D. Spear, L. Spear, Topham, Topps and Wilkinson.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 7 April 2021 and 14 June 2021 (circulated previously) be approved as correct records and signed by the Chair.

a) Volunteer Awards events

The Chair advised Council that she had been invited to attend a number of Volunteers Awards events that had been arranged by the Northern Devon Voluntary Service.  The first was being held tomorrow at the Cedars Inn, Barnstaple for the Vaccination Centre volunteers.  A further five events would be held during September 2021 in Fremington, South Molton, Ilfracombe, Braunton and Barnstaple for volunteers that had helped communities during the pandemic.

There were no items of business brought forward by or with the consent of the Chair.

There were no questions submitted by the Public and/or to receive Petitions under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Constitution.

(a) To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Lovering:

“The equality act 2010 says that it is discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breast feeding. Breast feeding is legal in public places such as parks, sports and leisure facilities, public buildings, theatres, cinemas, and public transport.  While recognising that not all mums can breast feed, breastfeeding is the most natural way of understanding and satisfying a baby’s needs. The advantages of breast feeding for mother and baby are officially recognised by health care organisation all over the world. Breastfeeding can reduce the incidence of many infant illness and chronic diseases, so it eases the needed for health care. UNICEF and WHO (The World Health Organisation) recommend exclusive breast feeding from birth to until 6 months old.

North Devon Council has declared a climate emergency and to cut plastic waste. Breast feeding will cut down the need for plastic bottles, teats, and formula packaging. Depletion and destruction of natural resources and emission of major greenhouse gases are at their highest levels for at least the last 800 000 years. We need to protect our planet and our own health by using resources such as land, water and energy sources responsibly, conserving biodiversity and consuming with care. Feeding with breastmilk substitutes from farm-to-table affects the environment and climate due to its production, packaging, distribution and preparation methods. Millions of tonnes of metal formula cans end up in landfills every year, degrading the environment. Most formula powders need to be mixed with boiled water or heated and is expensive. Breast milk needs no plastic, no preparation and is free. Breast milk changes as a baby ages so a baby gets the nutrition it needs. Amazingly the composition of breast milk changes when a baby is ill, the levels of immunity-boosting cells rise rapidly when a baby is unwell.

Our towns can often seem like uncomfortable and uninviting places to breastfeed.

Breast feeding women are still facing an everyday battle because others around them feel uncomfortable. If a woman feels unsafe or fears disapproval when breastfeeding she is likely to stop breast feeding, resort to formula feeds or find a safe place. Women have resorted for many years to breast feeding in public toilets which is uncomfortable and unhygienic for mother and baby.

We need to learn how to react and respect this very natural process and lead the way to welcoming breastfeeding into society. If the District council promotes breast feeding as welcome within the towns and villages it will promote women to feel safe.  By promoting breast feeding it will help others to realize that breast feeding is a normal everyday activity mums need to do.

This council resolves to :

1)    Provide comms to let the public know that breast feeding is welcome within NDC’s public buildings and parks.

2)    Display signage within all their public buildings like the libraries, museums, leisure centres and parks saying that breast feeding is allowed.

3)    Promote and help commercial  ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

(a) To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Lovering

Councillor Lovering presented her notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Lovering and seconded by Councillor Leaver that “the Council:

1)    Provide comms to let the public know that breast feeding is welcome within NDC’s public buildings and parks.

2)    Display signage within all their public buildings like the libraries, museums, leisure centres and parks saying that breast feeding is allowed.

3)    Promote and help commercial premises to be breast feeding friendly places e.g. cafes and restaurants by supplying a downloadable poster for North Devon.”

The Chief Executive advised that in relation to number 2 in the motion, that libraries are the responsibility of Devon County Council, and the leisure centre was leased to a third party contractor so these examples of public buildings were not all in the Council’s control and suggested that it be amended to read “Display signage within all their public buildings saying that breast feeding is allowed”.

Councillors Lovering and Leaver took the amendment suggested by the Chief Executive on board in the motion.

RESOLVED that the Council:

(a)    Provide comms to let the public know that breast feeding is welcome within NDC’s public buildings and parks.

(b)    Display signage within all their public buildings saying that breast feeding is allowed.

(c)    Promote and help commercial premises to be breast feeding friendly places e.g. cafes and restaurants by supplying a downloadable poster for North Devon.

(NB. Members only need to re-declare any interests previously declared at Committee and Sub-Committee meetings if the item is discussed at Council).

The following declaration of interest was announced:

Councillor Walker – item 13 personal interest as a recipient of a Disabled Facilities Grant

There were no questions received by Members submitted under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, Paragraph 10 of the Constitution.

Superintendent Toby Davies, LPA Commander North and West Devon to report.

Mick Harrison, Community Engagement Officer from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner advised Council that unfortunately Superintendent Toby Davies was unable to attend the meeting due to being on call and would be attending a future meeting of Council to provide an update.  He outlined the role of Police Advocates to Council which provided a method for Parish and Town Councils to contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and to also receive information in relation to the communities that they represented.  He advised that he had attended a previous meeting of the Parish Forum to explain the role to Parish and Town Councillors.  He had also attended some Parish Council meetings. He asked Members to encourage Parish and Town Councillors to join the scheme and requested that Parish and Town Councils invite him to attend future meetings.

It was agreed that Mick Harrison’s contact details be circulated to all Members.

Report by Leader of the Council (attached).

Council noted a report by the Leader of the Council (circulated previously) regarding work that had been undertaken since the last Council meeting.

Questions to the Leader or the Chair of a Committee submitted under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, paragraph 10.4 of the Constitution.

There were no questions submitted by Members to the Leader or the Chair of a Committee under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, paragraph 10.4 of the Constitution.

Report by Head of Environmental Health and Housing (attached)

Council considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health and Housing (circulated previously) regarding Better Care Funding for Disabled Facilities Grants and Home Energy Efficiency.

Council thanked the Head of Environmental Health and Housing and his team for successfully securing additional funding over a number of years and working in partnership with North Devon Homes which had made a significant difference to the community.

It was moved by Councillor Worden and seconded by Councillor Tucker that the recommendations in the report be adopted.

RESOLVED that:

(a) the variation to the Disabled Facilitiies Grants/ECO capital programme 2021/22 of £532K be approved;

(b) funds be allocated and released for the interventions set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report.

(NOTE: A copy of the report that was considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2021 is attached).

Council considered the Performance and Financial Management for Quarter 4 of 2020/21 to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2021 (circulated previously).

To receive the report of the Policy Development Committee held on 15 July 2021 (to follow)

Councillor Campbell, Vice Chair of the Policy Development Committee presented the Committee’s report on the Performance and Financial Management for Quarter 4 of 2020/21 (circulated previously).

To receive the report of the meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 July 2021 (attached).

Councillor Worden, Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee reported the recommendations of the Strategy and Resources Committee on the Performance and Financial Management for Quarter 4 of 2020/21 (circulated previously).

It was moved by Councillor Worden and seconded by Councillor Lofthouse “that minute 41 (f) of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 July 2021 regarding the Performance and Financial Management for Quarter 4 of 2020/21 be adopted”.

RESOLVED that minute 41 (f) of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 July 2021 regarding the Performance and Financial Management for Quarter 4 of 2020/21 be adopted.

Council thanked the Head of Resources and his team for their hard work and for the savings that had been achieved.

(NOTE: A copy of the report that was considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2021 is attached).

Council considered the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2020/21 to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2021 (circulated previously).

To receive the report of the Policy Development Committee held on 15 July 2021 (to follow).

Councillor Campbell, Vice Chair of the Policy Development Committee presented the Committee’s report on the Treasury Management Annual Report 2020/21 (circulated previously).

To receive the report of the meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 July 2021 (attached)

Councillor Worden, Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee reported the recommendations of the Strategy and Resources Committee on the Treasury Management Annual Report 2020/21 (circulated previously).

It was moved by Councillor Worden and seconded by Councillor Yabsley “that minute 42 of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 July 2021 regarding the Treasury Management Annual Report 2020/21 be adopted”.

RESOLVED that minute 42 of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 July 2021 regarding the Treasury Management Annual Report 2020/21 be adopted.

Lead Member for Climate Change to report.

Council considered a report by the Lead Member for Climate Change (circulated previously).

It was moved by Councillor Lofthouse and seconded by Councillor Leaver “that the report be noted”.

RESOLVED that the report by the Lead Member for Climate Change be noted.

Council is recommended to note the schedule of Committee minutes and approve recommendations as listed below:

(i) 8 June 2021

(A) Minute 14: Local Government Association’s Model Code of Conduct

(B) Minute 16: Anti-Money Laundering Policy

(C) Minute 17: Whistle-Blowing Policy

(D) Minute 18: Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy

RESOLVED that the following minutes of the Governance Committee (circulated previously) be noted and adopted as follows:

(i) 8 June 2021

(A) Minute 14: Local Government Association’s Model Code of Conduct

(B) Minute 16: Anti-Money Laundering Policy

(C) Minute 17: Whistle-Blowing Policy

(D) Minute 18: Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy

(i) 4 May 2021

(ii) 5 May 2021

(A) Minute 16: Appointment of an Independent Member to the Harbour Board

RESOLVED that the following minutes of the Harbour Board (circulated previously) be noted and adopted as follows:

(i) 4 May 2021

(ii) 5 May 2021

(A) Minute 16: Appointment of an Independent Member to the Harbour Board

(i) 8 June 2021

RESOLVED that the following minutes of the Licensing and Community Safety Committee (circulated previously) be noted and adopted as follows:

(i) 8 June 2021

(i) 14 April 2021

(ii) 21 April 2021

(iii) 28 April 2021

(iv) 19 May 2021

(v) 9 June 2021

RESOLVED that the following minutes of the Planning Committee (circulated previously) be noted and adopted as follows:

(i)  14 April 2021

(ii)  21 April 2021

(iii) 28 April 2021

(iv) 19 May 2021

(v)  9 June 2021

(i) 12 April 2021

(ii) 17 May 2021

(A) Minute 23 (c): Approval and Release of Section 106 Public Open Space Funds – Braunton

(B) Minute 24 (d) and (e): Braunton Burrows Special Area of Conservation Visitor Impact Strategy

(iii) 5 July 2021

RESOLVED that the following minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee (circulated previously) be noted and adopted as follows:

(i) 12 April 2021

(ii) 17 May 2021

(A) Minute 23 (c): Approval and Release of Section 106 Public Open Space Funds – Braunton

(B) Minute 24 (d) and (e): Braunton Burrows Special Area of Conservation Visitor Impact Strategy

(iii) 5 July 2021

(i) 18 March 2021

(ii) 27 May 2021

(A) Minute 5: Notice of Motion from Council on 24 February 2021

(B) Minute 6: Notice of Motion from Council on 7 April 2021

(iii) 15 July 2021 (to follow)

RESOLVED that the following minutes of the Policy Development Committee (circulated previously) be noted and adopted as follows:

(i) 18 March 2021

(ii) 27 May 2021

(A) Minute 5: Notice of Motion from Council on 24 February 2021

(B) Minute 6: Notice of Motion from Council on 7 April 2021

(iii) 15 July 2021

(A) Minute 14: Notice of Motion from Council on 7 April 2021