Full County Council

Present:-

Chairman: Councillor A J M Drake Vice Chairman: Councillor M R Lee

Councillors Barker, Barton, Berman, R S Cann, W G Cann, Mrs Channon, Clatworthy, Collins, Cook, Fowler, Gale, Giles, Glanvill, Greenslade, Hart, Hawes, Hawkins, BCJ Hughes, S Hughes, Knight, Leadbetter, Mrs Madigan, Mrs Marsh, Mitchell, Morrish, Mrs Morrish, Nicholson, Owen, Radford, Rawlinson, Shadrick, Siantonas, Smith, Spear, Mrs Spence, Mrs Squires, Mrs Strudwick, Mrs Taylor, Mrs Turner, Westlake, Wickham and Yabsley.

437 Prayers

Prayers were offered by the Right Reverend R Hawkins, Bishop of Crediton.

438 Minutes

The Chairman of the Council MOVED and it was duly seconded that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2003 be signed as a correct record.

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

439 Announcements

The Chairman reported the sudden death, in December of last year, of Mrs C Luxton the serving County Councillor for the St David's and Pennsylvania Division in Exeter. Members stood in silence.

The Chairman congratulated all those in Devon who had received Honours in Her Majesty the Queen's New Years List, particularly Councillor W G Cann who had received the OBE for his services to National Parks. Councillor Cann responded.

The Chairman also reported that the Devon Authorities Waste Recycling Partnership had received a Gold Apple Award for the highly successful 'Don't Let Devon Go to Waste' campaign.

440 Executive Member Reports

In accordance with Standing Order 5(1), the Chairman of the Council exercised his discretion to vary the order of business to enable the Council to consider at this time a report from the Executive Member for Policy on the Local Government Association's proposals for the Government's Balance of Funding Review to inform any future consideration of those proposals by the Executive.

The Council received a presentation from the Director of Resources on the Local Government Association's proposals following which there was a general debate.

441 Questions from Members of the Council

The appropriate Executive Members responded to 10 questions submitted by Members of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 17.

[NOTE: In the course of this item Councillors Glanvill, Lee, Mitchell, Shadrick and Yabsley declared personal interests by virtue of their involvement in agriculture]

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers (excluding any supplementary questions and answers thereto) is attached to the signed minutes and available electronically on the County Council's Website at ]

442 Questions from Members of the Public

The appropriate Executive Member responded to 10 questions submitted by a member of the public In accordance with the Council's Public Participation Rules.

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers thereto, excluding supplementary questions and answers, is appended to these minutes and is available electronically on the County Council's Website at ]

443 Executive Member Reports

The Council received reports from Executive Members on matters of interest or service developments relating to their remits that had occurred since the previous meeting or were likely to have an impact in the future, as set out below. Executive Members also responded to matters raised by Members of the Council on matters relating to their remits, as indicated.

(a) Community Safety

Councillor S Hughes circulated a report on Trading Standards Issues including Consumer Direct, the CustomerFirst Scheme, Consumer Scams, Novelty Toys, Livestock Movements and the Watchdog Scheme and on Ship to Ship Transfers in Lyme Bay;

(b) Community Planning

Councillor Knight circulated a report on Sites for Travellers and the recent publication by the Devon Health Forum on Traveller Wellbeing;

(c) Environment

Councillor Morrish circulated a report on decisions taken by him and meetings or events attended (other than meetings of the Executive or County Council Committees) in his capacity as Executive Member since the previous meeting and on Highway Maintenance, particularly Winter Service and Emergencies;

(d) Education (Lifelong Learning)

Councillor Mrs Spence circulated a report on meetings or events attended (other than meetings of the Executive or County Council Committees) in her capacity as Executive Member since the previous meeting and on service issues including the Children's Fund, Adult and Community Learning and the Library Service.

(e) Education (Schools)

Councillor Hart reported, at the request of Councillor Berman, on the calculation of Individual School Budgets for 2004/05.

444 Minutes of Committees

The Chairman of the Council MOVED and it was duly seconded that the Minutes of the under mentioned meetings of Committees be approved:

Development Control - 26 November 2003

Standards - 27 November 2003

Community Services Overview/Scrutiny - 21 November and

10 December 2003

Health Overview/Scrutiny - 2 December 2003

The motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished at 5.33pm.

[NOTE: Minutes of the various Committees referred to above are available on the Devon County Council 'Information Devon' Website at ].