Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Campbell, Chesters, Crabb, Henderson, Hunt, Lane, Mack, Philips, Topham, Saxby, D. Spear, L. Spear and York.

The Senior Corporate and Community Services Officer advised that Councillor Nel would be arriving late.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2023 (circulated previously) be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(a)  Letter from Councillor Hunt, Chair of Council

In Councillor Hunt’s absence, the Senior Corporate and Community Services read out a letter on her behalf thanking Councillors, Officers and her chaplain for their support which she had received in her role as Chair and wishing those Councillors who were not standing for District Council elections well in their retirement.

Councillor Tucker endorsed the remarks of Councillor Hunt and wished all Councillors well who were either standing or not standing in the forthcoming District Council elections and advised that it had been a privilege to be a Councillor and part of the Council over the past 20 years.  He thanked the Chair, Chief Executive and officers for their support over the past four years.

(a)  Devon County Council Consultation on the Withdrawal of the 18+ Homelessness Prevention support

The Chief Executive advised that Devon County Council was currently undertaking consultation on the withdrawal of the 18+ Homelessness Prevention support service for those with complex needs to take them from being street homeless to being accommodated in settled accommodation.  The consultation period ended on 19 April 2023. A copy of the draft Council response to the consultation had been circulated separately.

Councillors Roome and Yabsley declared other registerable interests as Members of Devon County Council.

Councillor Davis declared an other registerable interest as a Member of Devon County Council Cabinet and left the meeting during the consideration thereof.

Councillor Leaver declared an other registerable interest as a Devon County Council Member appointed to Encompass South West.

The Chief Executive advised that the Council currently used hostels known as Maples in Barnstaple which provided 9 beds and Alexandra House in Barnstaple which provided 4 beds. These were used as a temporary solution prior to temporary accommodation being found.  The service was essential to prevent homelessness.  He requested that Councillors review the draft response and provide any feedback within the next week.

There were no questions submitted by the public and/or petitions received under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Constitution.

There were no motions of which notice had been submitted by Members in accordance with Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, Paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

(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 declarations of interest was announced:

Councillor Pearson – item 15 (c), minute 113 “Funding to Deliver Affordable Housing via Community-Led Housing Models” as she was a trustee of the Ilfracombe Community Land Trust.

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

Representative from South West Water to attend to respond to questions that have been raised by Members of the Policy Development Committee.

The Chair welcomed Alan Burrows (Director of Environmental Liaison and Culture Director) and Vicky Garner (Community and Partnerships Manager), South West Water to the meeting.

Council received a presentation by Alan Burrows, Director of Environmental Liaison and Culture, South West Water (SWW) who outlined the following:

·       SWW included Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s). The purpose of storm overflows.

·       The drivers for reducing CSO spills which included the WaterFit scheme, DEFRA’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan and the Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan.  SWW was required to submit an annual return to the Environment Agency regarding the location and action being taken on CSO’s

·       The WaterFit scheme would be launched next week.  The purpose of the scheme was to protect rivers and seas together and SWW’s 6 commitments were:

o   Nurturing healthy rivers and seas

o   Putting nature on everyone’s doorstep

o   Creating and restoring habitats

o   Inspiring local champions

o   Creating a sustainable future

o   Putting people in control

·       The WaterFit Scheme would include map on the SWW’s website which would identify the status of each beach and whether there had been a CSO discharge and its impact, provided the ability to zoom in on a location and search by beach name and included details of investment information. This would go live on 25 March 2023 and provide information available in near real time.

·       SWW’s Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans.  The plans were a high level strategy and overview looking towards 2050; designed to identify risks, interests and appropriate interventions at catchment level; intended to create pathways and opportunities for collaborative solution finding; was currently in draft form and constantly evolving; one part of delivering SWW’s wider business strategy. The objectives of the plans were to maintain flood risk; maintain compliance; and improve storm overflow performance.

·       SWW Wastewater assets located in North Devon.  The sewerage network in the South West was in the region of 20,000 km, which was located mostly underground and sometimes difficult to get to.  In North Devon, 10 years ago there were nine pollutions and in 2021, there was one pollution.

·       Investment at North Devon beaches, under WaterFit which included the beaches at Combe Martin, Croyde Bay, Hele, Lynmouth and Woolacombe. He would provide further information regarding the details of the investment at each of these locations following the meeting.

·       Drinking water pressure – SWW pressure management strategy was driven by the need to protect the network, the environment and raw resources, to ensure that they continue to provide all customers with a potable water supply in the future.

·       SWW’s supply area in the South West. SWW provided water for 2.2 million people living and working Cornwall, Devon and parts of Somerset and Dorset as well as in the Bournemouth area and the Isles of Scilly.

·       Draft Water Resources Management Plans for 2025-2050.  The purpose of the plan and the stages for developing the plan.  The demand reduction solutions and solutions that increased supply.

There then followed a question and answer session.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

Report by Leader of the Council (attached).

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

He thanked the Chair and Vice Chair of Council and Lead Members for all their work over the past four years.  He also thanked all those Councillors who had stood for Council for a very long time who would not be standing at the next District Council elections and to those who were standing if they were not re-elected. He paid tribute to the Council’s employees who were a real credit to North Devon.

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

Council noted that no questions had been submitted to the Leader or the Chair of a Committee under Part 4, Council Procedure Rules, paragraph 10.4 of the Constitution.

Report (attached).

Council considered and noted a report by the Lead Member for the Environment (circulated previously).  The Lead Member for the Environment outlined her report to Council.  She thanked Mike Jones, who would be shortly retiring, who had been instrumental in bringing the grounds maintenance contract in-house.  She also thanked Natalie Hayes, the Estates team and Hannah Pettifer for their work in arranging for the clean up of the area behind the old leisure centre.  The implementation of the new baler had helped to improve sorting of recyclable materials and the waste and recycling yard was now tidier.

The Chair thanked the Lead Member for the Environment for her work over the past four years.

The Lead Member for Climate Change provided an update on the work of the Climate Action Team since the last meeting of Council.  He thanked Members of the Climate Action Team and Officers that had supported and contributed and embraced changes in practices.

Report by Head of Governance (attached).

Council considered and noted reports from appointees to Outside Bodies (circulated previously).

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

(i)             7 February 2023

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

(i)             7 February 2023

(i)             8 February 2023

(ii)            3 March 2023

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

(i)             8 February 2023

(ii)            3 March 2023

(i)             6 March 2023 (to follow)

a.    Funding to Deliver Affordable Housing Via Community-Led Housing Models

b.    Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF)

c.     Approval and Release of Section 106 Public Open Space Funds – Atherington, Bishops Nympton, Heanton Punchardon, Mortehoe, Witheridge and Braunton

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

(i)             6 March 2023

a.    Minute 113 (e): Funding to Deliver Affordable Housing Via Community-Led Housing Models

b.    Minute 115 (b): Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF)

c.     Minute 120 (h): Approval and Release of Section 106 Public Open Space Funds – Atherington, Bishops Nympton, Heanton Punchardon, Mortehoe, Witheridge and Braunton