Referral from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Medium Term Financial Plan Review Group 2025 Report
At its meeting on 11th November 2025, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the report of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Task Group.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended to Executive that:
1. All Service managers to prepare options for discretionary Fees and charges for their area of control to maximise income (10% or more) from 1 April 2026 together with the implications. (increases to be greater than the 5% increase assumed in the MTFP).
2. ‘Invest to save’ schemes for Housing are accelerated to reduce the cost of providing temporary accommodation as soon as possible.
3. ‘Invest to save’ schemes in Leisure are supported. There are two options at Dawlish Leisure Centre: a) invest to generate additional income or b) to consider the economic viability of the Centre.
4. Approval of Council tax increases at the maximum allowed in 2026/27 (2.99% in 2025/26) is supported. At Band D that would equate to an additional £6 per annum (still to be confirmed precisely).
5. The Council removes the 50% Council Tax Discount that applied for a maximum period of 12 months for empty, uninhabitable properties that was agreed in January 2013 and in operation since 2013.
6. In order to continue to support the valued work across the District delivered through Voluntary sector Service Level Agreements e.g. Citizen’s Advice, freezing all members allowances at the current value to be progressed for consideration by Full Council.
The full report (agenda item 11) can be found at Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 11th November 2025
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED
That the Executive notes the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and agrees the recommendations will be fully considered as part of the 2026/27 draft Budget and the Medium-Term Financial Plan which will be presented to Full Council in due course.
Minutes:
The Executive considered the recommendations from the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Task Group.
At its meeting on 11th November 2025, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the report of the MTFP Task Group and recommended to Executive that:
1. All Service managers to prepare options for discretionary Fees and charges for their area of control to maximise income (10% or more) from 1 April 2026 together with the implications. (increases to be greater than the 5% increase assumed in the MTFP).
2. ‘Invest to save’ schemes for Housing are accelerated to reduce the cost of providing temporary accommodation as soon as possible.
3. ‘Invest to save’ schemes in Leisure are supported. There are two options at Dawlish Leisure Centre: a) invest to generate additional income or b) to consider the economic viability of the Centre.
4. Approval of Council tax increases at the maximum allowed in 2026/27 (2.99% in 2025/26) is supported. At Band D that would equate to an additional £6 per annum (still to be confirmed precisely).
5. The Council removes the 50% Council Tax Discount that applied for a maximum period of 12 months for empty, uninhabitable properties that was agreed in January 2013 and in operation since 2013.
6. In order to continue to support the valued work across the District delivered through Voluntary sector Service Level Agreements e.g. Citizen’s Advice, freezing all members allowances at the current value to be progressed for consideration by Full Council.
Councillor Thorne, as Chair of the MTFP Task Group, spoke to this item and appraised the Executive of the work of the Task Group and the rationale behind recommendations as set out. Councillor Thorne thanked those who had been involved in the Task Group. The Task Group would continue its work and would report back at a later stage.
Councillor Palethorpe thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the work of the Task Group.
Councillor Parrott reported that the Executive is taking note of the recommendations as part of the Budget preparation for 2026/27 including looking at the implications of the recommendations if agreed. Councillor Parrot thanked Councillor Thorne, the Task Group and the constructive recommendations.
Councillors G Taylor and Buscombe spoke to this item regarding Dawlish Leisure Centre and the Council’s housebuilding programme including Sherborne House Car Park, Harewood House and additional properties planned for acquisition to reduce pressure on the temporary housing budget.
It was PROPOSED by Councillor Parrott and SECONDED by Councillor Nuttall and
RESOLVED
That the Executive notes the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and agrees the recommendations will be fully considered as part of the 2026/27 draft Budget and the Medium-Term Financial Plan which will be presented to Full Council in due course.