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Council - Wednesday, 24th September, 2025 6.30 pm
September 24, 2025 Council View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The North Devon Council met on 24 September 2025, and among other items, discussed a question regarding geoengineering, received reports from the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Waste and Recycling, and reviewed committee seat allocations for 2025/26. The council also endorsed decisions and recommendations from the Strategy and Resources Committee regarding the Performance Report 2025/26 Q1 - Finance and approved appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel.
Here's a detailed look at the key discussions:
Public Concerns
The council addressed a question submitted by Glynis Walker to Councillor Ricky Knight, Lead Member for Climate and Biodiversity, regarding geoengineering spraying
in North Devon skies. Ms Walker referenced the Nuremberg Code1 and asked about the authorisation, consultation, and safety of these substances.
Leader's Report
The council noted the report from Councillor David Clayton, Leader of the Council, which highlighted several initiatives:
- Addressing the housing crisis in Ilfracombe: A planning application for the Healthy Homes project, aiming to improve rented accommodation, would soon be submitted. The project incorporates lessons from the Poverty Truth Commission[^2]. Additionally, 16 social rent homes are planned at Bicclescombe Nursery in collaboration with the Ilfracombe Community Land Trust[^3]. [^2]: The Poverty Truth Commission brings together civic and business leaders and people with first-hand experience of poverty to find new ways to tackle social and economic problems. [^3]: Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are non-profit, community-based organizations run by volunteers that steward land for permanently affordable housing, community gardens, civic buildings, and other community assets.
- Green Flag Awards: Bicclescombe Park and Yeo Valley Woodlands have again received the Green Flag Award[^4]. [^4]: The Green Flag Award scheme is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
- New seafront toilets in Ilfracombe: The new toilets are open to all and will be managed by Ilfracombe Town Council.
- Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee: The Policy Development Committee will now be the Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, with a wider remit including internal scrutiny.
- Green Lanes Hub: The Green Lanes Shopping Centre hub has assisted over 4,000 residents since opening.
- Treasures Exhibition: The Treasures exhibition at North Devon Museum is open until 11 October.
- Tarka Leisure Centre: The Tarka Leisure Centre had its 1 millionth customer visit in August.
Waste and Recycling
Councillor Julie Hunt, Lead Member for Waste and Recycling, reported on the Waste & Recycling Service's performance over the summer, noting minimal disruption and low complaint levels. The cross-party working group has developed a communications plan to increase recycling rates, including a stricter approach to side waste. A review of the council's Trade Waste Service is ongoing, and the team is assessing requirements for collecting soft plastics as part of domestic collections by 2027, as required by the government's Simpler Recycling Reform
.
Performance Report 2025/26 Q1 - Finance
The council endorsed the decisions and recommendations of the Strategy and Resources Committee regarding the Performance Report 2025/26 Q1 - Finance.
Independent Remuneration Panel Appointments
The council approved the following appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel:
- Re-appointment of Graham Russell until 29 September 2029.
- Re-appointment of Bryony Houlden until 12 January 2030.
- Appointment of Don Pratt with immediate effect.
Committee Seat Allocations
The council reviewed committee seat allocations for 2025/26.
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The Nuremberg Code is a set of research ethics principles for human experimentation created in 1947 in Nuremberg, Germany, as a result of the Nuremberg trials at the end of the Second World War. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Report of meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee
Recommendations Approved...to approve earmarked reserve contributions, note the Strategic Contingency Reserve movement, release funds for listed capital schemes, note Treasury Management, Debt Management, and General Debtors, and approve Capital Programme variations for 2025/26 to 2027/28.
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Review of Committee Seat Allocations 2025/26
For Determination...to appoint committees and joint committees, allocate seats to political groups, and appoint chairs and vice-chairs for the 2025/26 municipal year, taking into account a recent by-election and group leader agreements for seat re-allocations.
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Governance Committee
Recommendations Approved...to approve recommendations from the Governance Committee to update the Constitution, adopt an updated Anti-Money Laundering Policy, adopt an updated Whistleblowing Policy, adopt an updated Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy, and adopt a Counter Fraud Strategy and Response Plan, including further consideration of a recommendation that the Chair of the Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee be appointed from a political group other than the majority party.
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To approve as correct records the minutes of the meetings held on 16 July 2025 and 27 August 2025 (attached)
Recommendations Approved...to approve as correct records the minutes of the Council meetings held on 16 July 2025 and 27 August 2025.
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Strategy and Resources Committee
Recommendations Approved...the Council of North Devon approved the recommendations from the Strategy and Resources Committee.
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Planning Committee
Recommendations Approved...the Planning Committee approved recommendations related to various planning applications, including approvals for applications 80530, 80415, 80321, 80319, 80338, 80336, 80332, 80331, 80371, 80372, 80454, and 80508, and deferred applications 80389 and 79478, while refusing application 80252 and 80422.
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Policy Development Committee
Recommendations Approved...the Council of North Devon approved recommendations from the Policy Development Committee, including adopting the amended Air Quality Strategy, considering further funding for Age Concern North Devon, appointing a working group to improve healthcare engagement, and establishing a Pannier Market Working Party.
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Joint Planning Policy Committee
Recommendations Approved...the Council of North Devon approved the recommendations of the Joint Planning Policy Committee.
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Building Control Joint Committee
Recommendations Approved...the Council approved the recommendations from the Building Control Joint Committee meeting held on July 31, 2025, regarding the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Building Control Partnership Trading Accounts, a business update, and other related matters.
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Harbour Board
Recommendations Approved...the recommendations from the Harbour Board, including the appointment of Mr. Paul Minoli as an Independent Member on the Harbour Board for a four-year term, were approved.
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Independent Remuneration Panel Appointments
For Determination...to ensure compliance with legislation and maintain the correct number of members on the Independent Remuneration Panel, Graham Russell was re-appointed for a further four years, Bryony Houlden was re-appointed for a further four years, and Don Pratt was appointed for a four-year term.
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