Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Cowan, M R Eddy, R J Frost, D Hannent, J M Heron, M J Holloway, S J Jones, D P Murphy, M Rose and P Walker.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor S S Chandler, announced to the Council the sad news of the death of Councillor S F Bannister.

Councillor Bannister had served on the Council for nearly 20 years and was first elected to the Council at a by-election in September 1992 representing the Buckland Ward. He would represent Buckland for the Labour Party between 1992 – 2007 and 2015 – 2019.

Councillor Bannister was the former Deputy Leader of the Council (2001-03) and Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Protection (2000 – 2001). In opposition he was the Shadow Deputy Leader (2005-07), Shadow Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources (2003-07) and Shadow Cabinet Member for Access and Licensing (2015-2019).

He also held a number of key committee positions in his time on the Council including being Chairman of Finance, Land and General Purposes Committee; Chairman of the Planning Committee; and Vice-Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee and two scrutiny committees.

Councillor K Mills paid tribute to Councillor Bannister’s great integrity, optimism and passion for environmental concerns. He spoke of the length of time he had known Councillor Bannister and that his thoughts were with Councillor Bannister’s wife, children and grandchild at this time.

Councillor F J W Scales spoke of his upset at hearing the news of Councillor Bannister’s passing. He praised his character and remarked on the good memories of the times that they had served together on the Planning Committee over the years.

As a mark of respect for Councillor S F Bannister, the Council stood in silence for one minute.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Goverance.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the report of the Date of the Annual Council Meeting.

The report proposed that the date of the Annual Council meeting be changed to Thursday 16 May 2019. This was due to recent advice received concerning the calculation of the date of retirement for Members after the elections on 2 May 2019 as a consequence of the bank holiday break immediately after the elections. As a result the earliest date that the Annual Council meeting could be held was on 16 May 2019.

Councillor K E Morris, duly seconded by Councillor F J W Scales, moved that the date of the Annual Council Meeting be moved to Thursday 16 May 2019.

Councillor K Mills, duly seconded by Councillor M I Cosin, moved an AMENDMENT that the date of the Annual Council Meeting be moved to Tuesday 21 May 2019.

Following the debate, Councillor K Mills agreed with the consent of his seconder to change the AMENDMENT from Tuesday 21 May 2019 to Friday 17 May 2019.

On being put to the vote the Amendment was CARRIED.

On being put to the vote the Substantive Motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED:  (a)     That the date of the Annual Council Meeting be changed to Friday 17 May 2019.

                        (b)     That the Cabinet meeting and the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee and the Scrutiny (Community and Regeneration) Committee meetings for May 2019 be cancelled.

                        (c)     That the Licensing Committee meeting be moved to Tuesday 28 May 2019.

                        (d)     That the Planning Committee meeting be moved to Thursday 30 May 2019.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.