Agenda and draft minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2021 and the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Joint OS1 and 2 Committees held on 26 August 2021

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2021 and the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Joint OS1 and 2 Committees held on 26 August 2021 were both confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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To review the committee’s work programme

The Committee’s work programme as circulated with the agenda was noted.

To note forthcoming issues anticipated to be considered by the Executive over the next 12 months. The Executive Forward Plan can be found here.

The Executive forward plan detailing issues anticipated to be considered by the Executive over the next 12 months was noted, with the request that it also identifies the relevant scrutiny committee responsibility for issues.

Consideration was given to the circulated report detailing the terms of reference for the task and finish group.

It was proposed and seconded that the report be approved with the addition of the request that a timescale is set and the group’s final report be brought to the Committee on 1 February 2022 for consideration.

This was carried by a majority vote and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

The report be approved with the addition that group’s final report be brought to the Committee on 1 February 2022 for consideration.

Councillor Bullivant to report

The Chair updated on the work of this task and finish group. There were many groups promoting the town in relation to the theme of a cultural quarter but which as a whole lacked focus.

Concern was expressed that this group was set up some two years ago, appeared to have no clear purpose, and no date for an interim or final report with recommendations for the committee to consider.

The Chair advised that the group would refocus and a report containing recommendations would be progressed for the Committee’s consideration.  

Councillor Swain to report

Councillor Swain suggested that a Task and Finish group be established to focus on planning enforcement to ensure the Council has procedures and practices which are fair, robust and credible.

RESOLVED

That a report be brought to the next meeting for consideration setting out the proposed terms of reference.

The Executive Member for Planning updated the Committee on progress of services within this portfolio of planning delivery, development management, strategic planning, and building control. The update included the following:

·       The housing delivery rate was low at 426 homes in 2020/21 compared to the Government target of 742 per annum.  The government could impose sanctions.

·       Marsh Barton railway station was under construction.

·       Matford ridgetop park phase 1 was nearing completion.

·       Houghton Barton link phase 1 was due to complete early 2022.

·       Dawlish link road bridge planning application was expected late 2021.

·       Teign Estuary Trail planning application would be determined soon.

·       Public consultation on the draft Local Plan review had resulted in 4700 responses.

·       The number of submitted planning applications was high.

·       The Newton Abbot Garden community project was progressing.

In response to questions it was noted that: some allocated development sites in the current Local Plan had not yet come forward, and would continue into the draft Local Plan; some one million houses with permission nationally had yet to be developed; the draft Local Plan priorities would include increasing biodiversity net gain, renewable energy and climate change; the Local Plan review was on target for publication in 2022; and Teignbridge was one of the leading self-build districts nationally.

Members would be advised of the answers to further questions raised in relation to self-build and affordable housing delivery statistics for the District via the Members Newsletter.

The full update presentation can be found at: Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 on Tuesday, 12th October, 2021, 10.00 am - Teignbridge District Council

The Performance and Data Analyst referred to the agenda report covering the period 1 April to 30 June 2021, which updated performance of the Council’s Strategy 2020-2030 T10 priorities. Details of the programmes, projects and performance indicators with a concern or caution status together with an  explanation of the performance and improvement plan was detailed in the appendix of the agenda report.

Members asked that additional information from the Executive Member for corporate resources in response to questions raised regarding the budget be made available in the Members Newsletter.

RESOLVED

The agenda report and the actions being taken to rectify performance issues detailed in the report Appendix be noted.