Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25^th November 2025.

The minutes of this meeting will be available to view here once the meeting has occurred: Executive on Tuesday 25th November 2025

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting on Tuesday 25^th November be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Buscombe and SECONDED by Councillor Nutley and

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the previous meeting on Tuesday 25^th November be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Palethorpe commended the Council’s Strategy and Policy Manager for winning the Combatting Violence against Women and Girls Award at the recent West Country Women awards on 28^th November 2025.

None received.

To note forthcoming decisions anticipated on the Executive Forward Plan

The Executive Forward Plan was noted.

Members of the Public may ask questions of the Leader or an Executive Member. A maximum period of 15 minutes will be allowed with a maximum of period of three minutes per questioner.

None received.

To update Members on the principal areas where there are likely to be departures from the 2025/26 revenue budget and summarise those variations to the end of September 2025 including updates on progress with the capital programme and funding and any amendments to the lending list for treasury management purposes.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.     Approve the revenue budget variations for 2025/26 as shown at appendix 1.

2.     Approve the updated capital programme as shown at appendix 2.

3.     Note the updated lending list as shown at appendix 3.

4.     Note the mid-year review of Treasury Management shown at appendix 4.

The Executive considered the report which updated Members on the principal areas where there are likely to be departures from the 2025/26 Revenue Budget to the end of September 2025. The report’s appendices included updates on progress with the Capital Programme, the lending list for Treasury management purposes and the mid-year Treasury management review.

At the end of September 2025, there is a favourable variance of £820,000 in the 2025/26 Budget.

Councillor Parrott introduced the report and appraised the Executive of the key areas within the report including those service areas with budget variations, an update on the Capital Programme and specific projects within the Capital Programme. Councillor Parrott highlighted the planned use of £1.5 million reserves within the 2025/26 Budget and the continued pressure on the Council’s finances for 2026/27 and 2027/28 which envisages a continued use of earmarked reserves to deliver a balanced budget.

Councillor G Taylor asked for clarification regarding the Business Rates Review as announced by the Government. The Head of Financial Services and Audit responded orally to the question making reference to changes regarding revaluations, multipliers and the discount scheme for leisure and hospitality.

Councillor Nutley spoke to this item and thanked the Head of Leisure and Leisure Team regarding the increased leisure memberships.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Parrott and SECONDED by Councillor Buscombe and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.     Approve the revenue budget variations for 2025/26 as shown at appendix 1.

2.     Approve the updated capital programme as shown at appendix 2.

3.     Note the updated lending list as shown at appendix 3.

4.     Note the mid-year review of Treasury Management shown at appendix 4.

To update and regularise the Section 106 Monitoring Fee structure within Teignbridge District Council Planning Service, making fees proportionate to the cost of monitoring. 

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.     Agree to and approve the introduction of a structured S106 monitoring fee of;

a)    £350 per new deed (S106 document), plus;

b)    £262 for each obligation contained within the S106 agreement.

2.     Delegate authority to the Head of Strategy and Partnerships to review and update the fee annually in line with indexation (and any other changes resulting from national legislation).

The Executive considered the report which sought to update and regularise the Section 106 (S106) Monitoring Fee structure within the Council’s Planning Service, making fees proportionate to the cost of monitoring. This relates to agreements made between the Council and developers under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The S106 Monitoring Fees Discussion Document was appended to the report.

Councillor G Taylor introduced the proposal and outlined the rationale behind the proposal. The Council currently has a flat rate fee. The proposal would assist in the monitoring and management of the Council’s S106 agreements.

Councillor Palethorpe spoke to this item to ask for clarification on the current fee structure. The Strategic Infrastructure and Growth Manager responded to the question, stating the new fee proposal is based on the cost of running the service for new obligations in order for the service to cover their operating costs.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor G Taylor and SECONDED by Councillor Williams and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.     Agree to and approve the introduction of a structured S106 monitoring fee of;

a)    £350 per new deed (S106 document), plus;

b)    £262 for each obligation contained within the S106 agreement.

2.     Delegate authority to the Head of Strategy and Partnerships to review and update the fee annually in line with indexation (and any other changes resulting from national legislation).

To seek approval from the Executive for the adoption of a Town and Parish Charter.

RESOLVED

That the Executive resolves to adopt the Charter, as detailed in Appendix 1.

The Executive considered the report to adopt a Town and Parish Charter.  The Devon Association of Local Councils (DALC) were commissioned to collaborate with a working group of town and parish councils on the creation of this charter. The details of the working group and their meetings were appended to the report.

Councillor Buscombe introduced the report and explained the rationale behind the report to define a framework for the relationship between the different tiers of local government in Teignbridge. The Charter was recommended by the Local Government Association Peer Review to strengthen the working relationships between Teignbridge and Town and Parishes Councils. Councillor Buscombe referred to a written statement, circulated to Executive Members, from the Chief Officer of DALC who was unable to attend the Executive meeting.

Councillor Buscombe highlighted the role of Ward Councillors to work with their local Town and Parish Councils and the responsibility to attend meetings, and the mechanisms within the Charter to resolve disputes.

Officers thanked the work of DALC and those who were part of the Town and Parish Working Group.

Councillors Nuttall, Hook and Palethorpe spoke to this item in support of the Charter, highlighting the role of Ward Councillors to engage with their Towns and Parishes and how the Charter was formulated and how it will be communicated to all Towns and Parishes. Officers responded orally to any questions raised.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Buscombe and SECONDED by Councillor G Taylor and

RESOLVED

That the Executive resolves to adopt the Charter, as detailed in Appendix 1.

To adopt the District Carbon Action Plan and endorse its implementation through the One Teignbridge Council Strategy.

RESOLVED

That the Executive adopt the District Carbon Action Plan contained within Appendix A and endorse its implementation through the One Teignbridge Council Strategy.

The Executive considered the report to adopt the District Carbon Action Plan.

Councillor Hook introduced the item and the report, highlighting the importance of the issue of Climate Change, and the rationale behind the Carbon Action Plan. Councillor Hook highlighted that Teignbridge as a district has reduced its carbon emissions by 41% from 2005 to 2023 and the ambition to further this percentage, the majority of this (74%) coming from a reduction in emissions from energy generation.

The Council has worked in partnership to help reduce emissions and has reduced its own emissions, decarbonising its buildings, installing renewable energy sources and reducing costs, saving £120,000 a year on energy. Councillor Hook also highlighted the work to make homes more efficient and moving to electric vehicles within the Council’s fleet.

Councillor Hook thanked those partners who had been involved in this and the work of the Council’s Climate Change Officer.

Councillor Hook made reference to the upcoming Local Plan, which embeds many of the actions of the Carbon Action Plan.

The Climate Change Officer appraised the Executive of some of the detail within the plan and the relationship of the plan to the Devon wide plan.

Councillor Buscombe spoke to this item regarding ensuring that the plan continues in the process of Local Government Organisation and the role of DALC to support engagement. Officers pointed to the underpinning of the plan in the upcoming Local Plan and the role of community engagement to ensure adoption with residents and businesses in Teignbridge.

Councillors Parrott, G Taylor and Palethorpe spoke in support of the Plan and the individual actions set out for Town and Parish Councils and Elected Members; thanked the Climate Change Officer and those involved in the creation of the Plan; and made reference to the Plan as part of the Council’s Assets Strategy and Procurement policies.

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors highlighted (e.g. financial, legal and risk implications), it was PROPOSED by Councillor Hook and SECONDED by Councillor Nuttall and

RESOLVED

That the Executive adopt the District Carbon Action Plan contained within Appendix A and endorse its implementation through the One Teignbridge Council Strategy.

To agree and approve an Abandoned Vehicle policy that sets out the process for determination and disposal of abandoned vehicles.

RESOLVED

That the Executive approve the Abandoned Vehicle Policy as set out in Appendix 1.

The Executive considered the report to approve an Abandoned Vehicle Policy and the process for the determination and disposal of abandoned vehicles.

The reports appendices included the policy document and an equality impact assessment.

Councillor Palethorpe introduced the report and highlighted the purpose of the report and policy. The Council has responded to 419 reports this year, whilst this work is underpinned by a legal framework, the Council has no set policy to this work. The policy sets out how the Council will discharge its duties, determine what constitutes an abandoned vehicle, the process to follow in an investigation and includes information regarding data security and reference to the Council’s complaints process.  The policy will provide transparency on how the Council will discharge its duties.

Councillors Williams, G Taylor and Buscombe asked for clarification on the criteria for an abandoned vehicle when a vehicle is still taxed; those with statutory off road notifications (SORN); and those on unadopted roads. Officers responded to these clarifications orally.

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors highlighted (e.g. financial, legal and risk implications), it was PROPOSED by Councillor Palethorpe and SECONDED by Councillor Buscombe and

RESOLVED

That the Executive approve the Abandoned Vehicle Policy as set out in Appendix 1.

At its meeting on 11^th 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

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.

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.

Executive Member Decisions

None.