Agenda and draft minutes

It was proposed by Cllr G Taylor and seconded by Cllr Cheadle that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

If Councillors have any questions relating to predetermination or interests in items on this Agenda, please contact the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

None.

The Head of the Partnership introduced the item to the Committee.

Additional information was available in the part 1 report at the request of a member of the Committee. Over 50 KPIs were to be reported to Central Government but these had not yet been announced. The Partnership would continue with internal KPIs which were measuring well. The number of applications had remained stable.

The Committee heard from the Head of Partnership that Devon Building Control was in the top quartile for performance. The Committee discussed the need for close ties between Development Management and Building Control. Planning documentation included information on necessary building control work. Officers would consider proposals on how to increase awareness for the need for Building Control and bring them to the next Committee.

The Committee noted the Part 1 Operational Report Q2 2025-2026.

It was proposed by Cllr Birch and seconded by Cllr Cheadle that the press and public be excluded as per the resolution below.

A vote was taken; all were in favour, and it was

RESOLVED

That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Head of the Partnership introduced the item to the Committee.

The discussion included staffing, training, marketing, approved inspectors, and the Building Control Audit results. The Chair requested additional information on one of the audit results.

The Committee also discussed the burden placed on local authority inspectors as a result of the failures of private/approved inspectors. It was agreed that this was an issue that should be taken up with the local MPs. The Head of the Partnership was asked to prepare a briefing note for the Committee Chair to circulate to the MPs.

The Committee noted the Part 2 Operational Report Q2 2025.

The Head of the Partnership introduced the item to the Committee.

The discussion included operational priorities, the risk register, the recently announced Central Government budget, provision of IT to the Partnership, staffing, and the effects of Local Government reorganisation.

The Committee noted the Part 2 Operational Plan 2025-2026.

The Head of the Partnership introduced the item to the Committee.

The discussion included staffing, finances, and the Partnership budget.  

The Committee noted the Part 2 Financial Report 2025-2026, but with the request that following this meeting an additional budget figure table is circulated to the Committee.