Issue - meetings

To receive updates from representatives on:

-        Teign Estuary and Coastal Partnership, Cllr Hook

-        Teignmouth Town Centre Partnership, Cllr Williams

-        Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee, Cllr Williams

-        Devon Building Control Partnership, Cllr G Taylor

-        Stover Canal Trust, Cllr Buscombe

Teignmouth Town Centre Partnership

Cllr Williams reported to the Committee on the recent work of the Partnership and confirmed that the group was positive and constructive.  Members include Cllrs Clarance, Atkins and Cox plus the Chamber of Trade and Seafarers.

Recent activity included:

·         Commercial waste bins have been causing an issue with the narrow streets so a number of ‘ghost’ bins (no recognised ‘owner’) removed

·         Pavement Licencing compliance has been taking place

·         Decorative lighting along the sea front will be replaced

Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee

Cllr Williams reported on the work of the Committee which met most recently on 11 February 2025 at County Hall

·         Working with Devon County Council, Teignbridge has a £98k grant to look at food collection, to develop technology suitable for PPE wearers.  It was recognised that composting would take some ‘blue bin’ waste but there are spot checks to deter residents from ‘contaminating’ their general waste bins with food

·         DCC are also targeting schools to encourage recycling which is having a lot of success

Teign Estuary and Coastal Partnerships

Cllr Hook had sent her apologies for the meeting but reported by email that the partnership had not met since November 2024 and the annual Forum which was due to be held in early May had been postponed.

·         There were concerns expressed about the impact of additional developments e.g. NA3 would have on the local waste treatment plant and potential risk to the estuary

Stover Canal Trust

Cllr Buscombe reported on the active role that Teignbridge played with the Trust using the example of how a funding opportunity had been gained by the easing of a condition of a lease.  The history of the canal is very interesting, particularly the key role that it played in the Industrial Revolution.  He drew members attention to the Newsletter (circulated by Democratic Services) and website.  There was interest from the floor on the recent impact of Storm Bert and the costs that would be attributable to the landowner, Network rail and South West Water.  Both of these organisations have been added to the forward plan to attend a future Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting

Devon Building Control Partnership

Cllr G Taylor explained that Devon Building Control was established in 2005 (South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon Borough Councils) covering an area of 1,000 square miles and formed a partnership agreement in 2017.  They cover extensions, conversions, major structural work, electrical installations and windows.  Although they have open competition in the field, they have stabilised at 85% of the market share which is very pleasing and are meeting their KPIs.  They have an active role in the South West Energy Partnership (with Devon County Council, Plymouth and Bristol) primarily on low carbon retrofit projects.  Local Government Reorganisation provides challenges and opportunities for the Partnership.