Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2025

It was proposed by Cllr James, seconded by Cllr Steemson and

RESOLVED

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was proposed by Cllr James, seconded by Cllr Steemson and

RESOLVED

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Bullivant declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 136 below by virtue of his position as Trustee for Newton Abbot Transport Association.

Members of the public may ask questions of the Chair. A maximum period of 15 minutes will be allowed with a maximum period of three minutes per questioner. The deadline for questions is no later than three working days before the date of the meeting i.e. should the meeting be on a Thursday the deadline would be the Friday before at 5pm.

None.

Members of the Council may ask questions of the Chair of the Committee subject to procedural rules. The deadline for questions is no later than five clear working days before the meeting.

None.

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 was received.

It was agreed that Members be updated on the progress of the Beach Management Plan.

The Executive Forward plan was received.

It was agreed that Members be updated on the progress of the Beach Management Plan.

Report to follow

RESOLVED

The Strategy Q2 performance monitoring report be received and the actions being taken to rectify performance issues detailed in the appendix be supported.

The Chair referred to the agenda report which provided a update on the delivery of the Council Strategy 2020-2030, providing the detailed performance information used to track its delivery.

The following was noted in response to questions regarding the performance indicators (PI) of ‘concern’ as detailed in the agenda report appendix.

·      PI H01 and H02– A developer forum was being arranged to discuss the current challenges faced by developers with regards to development sites, for which planning permission has been granted not coming forward. The number of homes provided was expected to more reflect the PI during 2026/27 with sites coming forward, particularly smaller sites. There was current housing market challenges which included the interest rate and lack of buyers.

·      PI H10 – The Committee would be advised of the current number on the waiting list or disabled adaptations. The Council is in the top 10% of local authorities providing such adaptations. 

·      PI H11 – Staff were thanked for their work resulting in this PI moving from ‘concern’ to ‘caution.’

RESOLVED

The Strategy Q2 performance monitoring report be received and the actions being taken to rectify performance issues detailed in the appendix be supported.

To review the Committee’s forward plan which can be found here

The Overview and Scrutiny Forward Plan was received. There were no matters arising.

The Overview and Scrutiny Forward Plan was received. There were no matters arising.

To receive a biannual update from Executive Members for:

-        Councillor Nuttall - Local Government reorganisation

-        Councillor Palethorpe – Economy, estates and major projects

-        Councillor Parrott – Finance and Corporate

-        Councillor Palethorpe -  Neighbourhood Services

-         

Biannual updates 13 January 2026

To consider if there are any issues in particularly that the Committee would like reported during the updates for the next meeting

-        Councillor Keeling – Corporate and strategic areas

-        Councillor Williams – Environment Services

-        Councillor Hook – Environment, climate change and sustainability

RESOLVED

1.       The report of the Executive Member for Local Government reorganisation and devolution as set out in the agenda be received.

2.       The report of the Executive Member for assets, estates, communication and major projects be received and the list of proposed areas for Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider as set out in the report be referred to the informal meeting in December 2025 to assess prioritisation.

3.       The reports of the Executive members for Finance and Corporate Services, and Neighbourhood services be received.

The Chair referred to the agenda reports of the Executive Members (EM) summarising the service and legal responsibilities covered by the EM remit, Strategic Plan objectives, service delivery updates, how OS can support upcoming decisions and the delivery of the strategic plan, and any other relevant information for the OS forward plan/work programme.

The Executive Member for Local Government reorganisation and devolution presented the report. This matter would be discussed at the Extraordinary Council meeting on 25 November 2025.

The report of the Executive Member for Assets, Estates, Communication and Major Projects listed areas for OS to consider. Thr list of issues would be considered by the OS informal meeting in December.

The Executive Member for Finance and Corporate presented the agenda report and he thanked the Medium Financial plan Review Group for their work to date. It was noted that it was not viable to invest in a new finance system given the forthcoming local government reorganisation.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services advised in response to questions that environment wardens wore body cams, work was progressing to secure sites from unauthorised encampments and Osbourne Park was secure, energy savings were evident for all leisure centres following energy efficiency works, and the draft Beach Management Plan would be subject to consultation.

RESOLVED

1.     The report of the Executive Member for Local Government reorganisation and devolution as set out in the agenda be received.

2.     The report of the Executive Member for Assets, Estates, Communication and Major Projects be received and the list of proposed areas for Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider as set out in the report be referred to the informal meeting in December 2025 to assess prioritisation.

3.     The reports of the Executive Members for Finance and Corporate Services, and Neighbourhood services be received.

The Council’s outside organisations representatives to report on any meetings of the appointed outside organisation in the past few months, whether they  attended, a report on the meeting if they did so, the role the outside organisation(s) they represent plays in promoting and aligning with the Council's priorities, policies and strategies, and advising on partnership discussions which are open and in the public domain.

-          Devon Rail Forum – Cllr Parrott

-          Local Government Association – Cllr Keeling

-          LGA District Councils’ Network Assembly – Cllr Keeling

-          PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) Joint Committee - Cllr Palethorpe

The Chair requested that future update reports include the cost to the Council of having a representation on the outside organisation.  

RESOLVED

The update agenda reports of the Council’s representatives appointed to the following outside organisations be received.

·         Devon Rail Forum and that Devon County Council be asked what the intention of this group is, and if it is to continue how will this happen.

·         Local Government Association

·         LGA District Councils’ Network Assembly

·         PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) Joint Committee.

The Chair referred to the agenda reports from the Council’s appointed representatives for the following outside organisations:

·         Devon Rail Forum

·         Local Government Association

·         LGA District Councils’ Network Assembly

·         PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) Joint Committee.

The agenda reports summarised the purpose of the organisation, attendance requirements, feedback on the work of the organisation, the role the outside organisation plays in promoting and aligning with the Council's priorities, policies and strategies, the value that the Council brings to the origination, why the organisation needs the Council, and any other relevant information for OS.

The Leader advised that the Council’s representation on both the Local Government Association and the District Councils’ Network Assembly made a valuable contribution to the working of the Council.  

Full presentations can be viewed on the webcast at Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 11th November, 2025, 10.00 am - Teignbridge District Council

The Chair requested that future update reports include the cost to the Council of having a representation on the outside organisation.  

RESOLVED

The update agenda reports of the Council’s representatives appointed to the following outside organisations be received.

·         Devon Rail Forum and that Devon County Council be asked what the intention of this group is, and if it is to continue how will this happen.

·         Local Government Association

·         LGA District Councils’ Network Assembly

·         PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) Joint Committee.

To receive an interim report from the Medium Term Financial Plan Task and Finish Group   - to follow

RECOMMENDED

The Executive is recommended to resolve 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. 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 Chair of the Medium-Term Financial Plan review group Councillor Thorne presented the report and particularly referred to Appendix B which demonstrated that a section 114 Notice could be declared prior to 2028 because the current budget forecast timeline showed the deficit exceeding reserves.

The Committee thanked the review group for their work.  

RECOMMENDED

The Executive is recommended to resolve 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. 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.