Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from the Executive in relation to the Final Financial Plan Proposals 2025/26 to 2028/29.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Teignbridge band D council tax for 2026/27 is increased by 2.99% or £6.05 to £208.33 per annum.

2.     Maintaining 100% council tax support.

3.     That general reserves are increased to 12.4% of the net revenue budget for 2026/27 or £2.6 million.

4.     That £200,000 of the general reserve balance in any one year be available to the Executive to meet unexpected expenditure in addition to the agreed revenue budget.

5.     All other decisions with regard to budgetary change will be approved by reference to virement rules in the financial instructions.

6.     That the summary revenue budget for 2026/27 is £21.0 million as shown at appendix 4. In particular the revenue budget includes:

a)    Assumptions of a 3.0% pay rise for 2026/27.

b)    Revenue contributions to fund capital are maintained at £1,500,000 to support the capital budget.

c)     Core voluntary grants are increased by 4% for three years from 2026/27 through to 2028/29.

d)    The councillors community fund grant is maintained at £1,000 each.

e)    Continued resources to cover Modern 25.

7.     That fees and charges are approved as shown summarised at appendix 6.

8.     That the capital programme as shown at appendix 7 is approved. The capital programme to 2028/29 has been updated to align with the One Teignbridge Action Plan, which was adopted at Full Council on 23 October 2025. The main aims are to work with communities, support the local economy, care for the environment, create affordable homes and work with partners to bring forward infrastructure improvements. It also includes:

Infrastructure delivery plan projects are vital to the development and accessibility of the area. These include highways and cycle path projects, funded by CIL and external sources where available.

Investment in housing (Homes4Teignbridge) continues. On 23 October 2025, the Sherborne House car park social rented flats budget was increased to £7,243,317. Homes England funding in support of the scheme was confirmed in early December 2025. Half of the funds for this scheme come from council resources (receipts and internal borrowing) and half from external contributions.

The purchase of council homes supported by the Local Authority Housing Fund continues, with a further provision of £1,000,000 in prudential borrowing to improve temporary accommodation arrangements and reduce the use and cost of bed and breakfast accommodation. Investment in other support measures such as disabled facilities continue, funded from Better Care grant.

There are provisions to continue corporate decarbonisation measures, including energy efficiency measures at Dawlish and Newton Abbot leisure centres.

Provision is also included for town-centre investment, including the refurbished Market Hall in Newton Abbot, due to complete in 2026. There is a £3,000,000 provision for employment infrastructure, to create new spaces for jobs and local enterprise. These projects aim to stimulate growth in the local economy and ensure it is an attractive and well-connected environment for local businesses.

9.     That the Financial Plan 2026 to 2031 is approved as set out in appendix 8.

10.That the prudential indicators are noted and the prudential limits approved  ...  view the full decision text for item 165

The Executive Member for Corporate and Finance Councillor Parrott presented the budget proposals for 2026/27 to 2028/29 which included the following: 

·       The Government settlement has been particularly complicated this year and there have been significant changes from previous years.

·       This is a three-year settlement which gives us some welcome stability albeit that the formula disadvantages predominantly rural areas such as Teignbridge.

·       There have been major changes to the main funding formula with a stronger link to levels of deprivation.

·       Many funding streams have been rolled into the main funding formula instead of being provided as separate grants.

·       The baseline for retained business rates has been reset.

·       The new homes bonus has been abolished.

·       Some grant pots have been simplified and consolidated including homelessness prevention rough sleeping and temporary accommodation.

·       The government has provided some transitional funding including a minimum funding floor to protect councils from the full impact of the funding changes.

There are uncertainties, particularly the likely re-structuring of Local Government in Devon within the next few years but it was important to maintain a high standard of financial management and act in the best interests of the residents of Teignbridge.

Despite the disappointing Government Settlement, due to prudent management of the Council’s finances the budget deficit has been significantly reduced and now estimated at £1m for each of the following 3 years. This equates to 1.5% of projected annual revenue expenditure.

Over the next 2 years plans are to invest almost £35m in projects that will benefit the lives of people living in Teignbridge.

The difference between expenditure and income was reducing but the deficit going forward each year would still be approximately £1m.

The Chair referred to the agenda report which detailed other issues of the budget for consideration, and the consultation undertaken with residents, the community and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Executive.

It was proposed by Councillor Parrott and seconded by the Leader Cllr Keeling that the budget proposals as set out in supplementary pack to the agenda published 18 February 2026 be approved.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 a roll call was taken.

For the proposals: Councillors Buscombe, Dawson, Foden, Gearon, Goodman-Bradbury, Hayes, Henderson, Jackman, Keeling, Macgregor, Morgan, Nutley, Palethorpe, C Parker, Parrott, Rollason, Sanders, K Smith, Swain, G Taylor, Wrigley, Major, Steemson

Total 23

Against the proposals: Councillors Bradford, J Taylor

Total 2

Abstentions: Councillors Atkins, Bullivant, Clarance, Hall, Horner, Peart, Radford, Rogers, Ryan, M Smith, Thorne

Total 11

The proposal was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Teignbridge band D council tax for 2026/27 is increased by 2.99% or £6.05 to £208.33 per annum.

2.     Maintaining 100% council tax support.

3.     That general reserves are increased to 12.4% of the net revenue budget for 2026/27 or £2.6 million.

4.     That £200,000 of the general reserve balance in any one year be available to the Executive to meet unexpected expenditure in addition to the agreed revenue budget.

5.     All other decisions with regard to budgetary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165