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

“Cost of Living emergency

It is shocking and extremely worrying for many local residents in North Devon on limited incomes, that Ofgem announced that the energy price cap could rise to £2,800 in October 2022.  

Earlier this year on 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent. 

Over the coming summer months, North Devon residents who in the main are already financially challenged, face the average standard tariff energy bill increasing by £693 per year. The average pre-pay meter energy bill increasing by £708 per year (Ofgem, 2022) 

On 6 April 2022, the Government increased National Insurance by 1.25 percentage points, which is another extra demand on North Devon families.

The cost of petrol and diesel has hit an all time high with it costing over £100 to fill up an average car. In rural North Devon where there is little or no public transport this is causing real hardship and in addition is putting enormous pressure on our Council’s waste and recycling budget. A recent report by the Countryside Alliance showed that rural households that depend on their cars will need to spend nearly £800 a year more on fuel than people who live in urban areas.

Inflation is at a forty year high and many are struggling to feed their families. The impact of the war in Ukraine is also causing prices to rise further.

Prices of houses and rents have rocketed making it extremely difficult for residents to cope with all these price rises.

Many people on fixed incomes and low income families are really struggling and wage rises are not keeping pace with inflation.

This Council therefore declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’ and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to: 

1. Welcome the imposition of the ‘Windfall Tax’ on the super profits of oil and gas companies and question whether this has gone far enough. 

2. Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20% to 17.5% for at least one year, saving the average family £600. 

3. Introduce a fuel rebate scheme for rural areas like North Devon with, for example, extending the discount scheme for rural garages which has been successful at Lynton (Barbrook).

4. Extend free school meals to all those families on universal credit.

5. Extend the cost of living payment of £650 to those on legacy and contributions based benefits as people on these benefits have higher costs of living already due to long term health conditions or disability.”

(b)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Walker

“Motion regarding pavement parking in North Devon

This Council notes that inconsiderate parked vehicles can cause a hazard and restrict the movement of many people, including those with visual impairments, mobility issues, parents with young children and the general public who may have trouble placing waste and recycling on the pavement for collection.

This Council also notes that the Government would like to decriminalise pavement parking and make this a civil matter and allow civil enforcement officers to issue fines for pavement and other inconsiderate parking, the consultation for which this council responded to in October 2020. However no legislation has been forthcoming.

Parking in this fashion not only causes obstruction, but also damages the pavement, creating another hazard.

Under the Highways Act 1980, section 130 (1) imposes a duty on the highways authority to assert and protect the rights of the public to use and enjoy the highway. This general duty is reinforced by s130 (3) which states that the highway authority have a duty to prevent, as far as possible, the obstruction of the highway.

This Council asks that Devon County Council as the Highways Authority to make a Traffic Regulation Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to prohibit pavement parking throughout North Devon, allowing Exemptions in specific places where pavement parking is necessary.

This Council also asks that DCC Civil enforcement officers are used to enforce the TRO, which should be a self funding option.

The Council also asks for the support of the MP for North Devon in this matter, in supporting the council in this motion.”

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

Councillor Topham presented her notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Topham and seconded by Councillor Walker “that the notice of motion be adopted”.

Following Council debate, Councillor Topham as mover and Councillor Walker as seconder of the motion amended the motion to also include “that benefits training be provided for all Councillors to enable Councillors to signpost ward constituents appropriately and that the types of support available be considered by the Policy Development Committee.”

RESOLVED that this Council therefore declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’ and:

(a)   instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to: 

1.    Welcome the imposition of the ‘Windfall Tax’ on the super profits of oil and gas companies and question whether this has gone far enough. 

2.    Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20% to 17.5% for at least one year, saving the average family £600. 

3.    Introduce a fuel rebate scheme for rural areas like North Devon with, for example, extending the discount scheme for rural garages which has been successful at Lynton (Barbrook).

4.    Extend free school meals to all those families on universal credit.

5.    Extend the cost of living payment of £650 to those on legacy and contributions based benefits as people on these benefits have higher costs of living already due to long term health conditions or disability.

(b)  that benefits training be provided for all Councillors to enable Councillors to signpost ward constituents appropriately and that the types of support available be considered by the Policy Development Committee.

(b)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Walker

Councillors Biederman, Davis, Leaver, Roome and Yabsley declared personal interests as Devon County Councillors.

Councillor Walker presented her notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Walker and seconded by Councillor Lofthouse “that the notice of motion be adopted”.

RESOLVED this Council:

(a)  asks that Devon County Council (DCC) as the Highways Authority to make a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to prohibit pavement parking throughout North Devon, allowing Exemptions in specific places where pavement parking is necessary;

(b)  also asks that DCC Civil enforcement officers are used to enforce the TRO, which should be a self funding option; and

(c)  also asks for the support of the MP for North Devon in this matter, in supporting the council in this motion.