Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

It was  proposed by the Leader, seconded by the Deputy Leader and

RESOLVED

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 January 2026 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Leader.

The Leader referred to two letters he had written on behalf of the Council to the two local Members of Parliament requesting national financial intervention and assistance with:

·         Storm resilience across the District, now a critical situation. The damage around the area particularly coastal areas and flooding was no longer isolated threats and cases. Long term resilience planning and action was required to address the situation.

·         The Government’s recent reassessment of the financial settlement for local authorities. The Government advised the settlement prior to Christmas and on which the budget for 2026/27 to 2028/29 has been calculated. The reassessment last week has fundamental consequences resulting in a decrease of some £800K per annum and increasing the 2026/27 estimated debt to £1.982M.  Following representations being made the Government has advised it will honour the 2026/27 settlement and will review the situation for 2027/28 and 2028/29.  This will be reported to the Council meeting on 26 February 2026 as part of the final budget proposals.

None.

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.

One question had been received regarding the future of Teignmouth Lido. The response had been provided and published.

To consider the attached report.

The comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 13 January 2026 can be found at Minute 144 at then following link:

https://democracy.teignbridge.gov.uk/documents/g3757/Printed%20minutes%2013th-Jan-2026%2010.00%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=1

RECOMMENDED

The proposed budget as set out as in Appendix 4 for revenue and Appendix 7 for capital as set out in the agenda report be approved.

RESOLVED

These proposals including the core voluntary grants being increased by 4% for three years from 2026/27 through to 2028/29 be considered, together with any subsequent consultation comments for approval by Council as the final budget for 2026/27 and the outline plan for the subsequent years 2027/28 and 2028/29.

The proposed budget includes:

•              The level of council tax and the proposal to increase it by £6.05 or 2.99% to £208.33.

•              Reducing central funding and the need to make ongoing efficiencies using invest to save where possible.

•              Maintaining 100% council tax support.

•              The ongoing impact of economic conditions on income streams and changing Government funding.

•              Continuing to react to the climate change emergency by maintaining ongoing budgets for a climate projects officer and associated spending in revenue and provision in the capital programme, including ongoing provisions for corporate decarbonisation schemes as per 5.5.

•              A £3 million provision for employment sites funded by borrowing.

•              Authority for Executive to exceed the approved overall revenue budget by up to £200,000 per 4.25.

•              Support for housing – the Homes4Teignbridge initiative including £7,243,317 for the Sherborne House Car Park social rented flats and further purchases supported by the Local Authority Housing Fund (see 5.3) whilst backing business and bringing people and organisations together for local neighbourhood planning.

•              Infrastructure delivery plan investment funded by community infrastructure levy (CIL) and external sources where available (see 5.4).

•              Continuation of grant-funded South West Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme as per paragraph 5.6.

·             Town centre investment in infrastructure and employment as per 5.7

·             Revenue contributions to capital being maintained at £1,500,000 per annum for 2026/27 and £500,000 thereafter.

·             Councillors’ community fund set at £1,000 each.

·             Providing additional 4% inflationary funding to voluntary group grants

·             The level of general reserves necessary for the council as per 4.22 – recommended at £2.6 million.

·             The Financial Plan 2026 – 2031 as updated for adoption (at Appendix 8) and to continue to facilitate Member progression of work plans by Overview & Scrutiny to address the budgetary position and deliver savings.

The Executive considered the agenda report detailing the Final Financial Plan Proposals 2026/27 to 2028/29 for recommendation to Council on 26 February 2026. The proposals include recommended revenue and capital budgets for 2026/27 and planned in outline for 2027/28 and 2028/29.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services Councillor Parrot 

presented the proposals as set out in the agenda report.

The proposals were considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 February 2026 and recommended approval of the budget as set out to the Executive for recommendation to Council on 26 February 2026.  In response to concerns raised by Scrutiny, the meeting was advised that: Sunday car parking charges had been adjusted in line with inflation and were now more equitable with normal parking charges; and the budget reflected the approved One Teignbridge Council Strategic Action Plan. Scrutiny welcomed the increase in employment infrastructure and proposed development of business units in Newton Abbot; the development of 1 and 2-bed council houses was welcomed; and to have sight of policy documents relating to the One Teignbridge Action Plan.

Councillor Parrott added that the results of the public consultation showed that: 74% of respondents consider the Council Tax should be increased as proposed; and the 3 most popular non statutory services for investment are walking and cycling, extra care affordable housing and public toilets.

It was proposed by Councillor Parrot that the recommendations set out in the agenda report be recommended to Council for approval. This was seconded by the Leader, Councillor Keeling.

It was proposed by Councillor Palethorpe that the recommendations include that the core voluntary grants are increased by 4% for three years from 2026/27 through to 2028/29.  This was added to the recommendation to be included in the final budget proposals for Council consideration on 26 February 2026.

The proposal was put to the vote and it was unanimously

RECOMMENDED

The proposed budget as set out as in Appendix 4 for revenue and Appendix 7 for capital as set out in the agenda report be approved.

RESOLVED

These proposals including the core voluntary grants being increased by 4% for three years from 2026/27 through to 2028/29 be considered, together with any subsequent consultation comments for approval by Council as the final budget for 2026/27 and the outline plan for the subsequent years 2027/28 and 2028/29.

The proposed budget includes:

•              The level of council tax and the proposal to increase it by £6.05 or 2.99% to £208.33.

•              Reducing central funding and the need to make ongoing efficiencies using invest to save where possible.

•              Maintaining 100% council tax support.

•              The ongoing impact of economic conditions on income streams and changing Government funding.

•              Continuing to react to the climate change emergency by maintaining ongoing budgets for a climate projects officer and associated spending in revenue and provision in the capital programme, including ongoing provisions for corporate decarbonisation schemes as per 5.5.

•              A £3 million provision for employment sites funded by borrowing.

•              Authority for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider the attached report.

RESOLVED

1.          Not open the Teignmouth Lido site in 2026 and deliver a budget saving of £74k.

2.          Declare the Teignmouth Lido asset surplus to Council requirements and dispose of the freehold interest, as described in the title plan at Appendix C, on the open market, without setting restrictions as to future use.

3.     The results of all bids be brought back to the September Executive meeting for consideration.

Consideration was given to the agenda report which provided an update on the options appraisal of the Teignmouth Lido to determine whether it is possible to improve its financial viability, to review alternative uses and seek approval to dispose of the freehold interest. This followed from the Council decision in October 2024 to undertake an options appraisal for the Lido site to determine whether it is possible to improve its financial viability and to look at alternative uses.

The operating shortfall was some £74K which would need an additional income from 9487 paid adult swim sessions. Attendances to the Lido were 8224 (2023 / 2024 season) and 9267 (2024 / 2025 season).  Operating costs cannot be reduced as this would risk inadequate running of the site and the safety of its customers.   

In response to questions, it was noted that: to start an ACV (Asset of Community Value) process, the site is required to be declared surplus to Council requirements and the issuing of a notice of intention to dispose in accordance with the Localism Act; the ACV process allows an initial 6 months for community groups to bid before the site would be released on the open market.

It was proposed by Councillor Palethorpe that the 2 recommendations as set out in the agenda report be approved with a further recommendation 3. The results of all bids be brought back to the September Executive meeting for consideration, and that all three recommendations be voted on separately. This was seconded by Councillor Keeling.

The first recommendation was put to the vote and carried by 7 votes for and 2 against. Recommendations 2 and 3 were both carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED

1.          Not open the Teignmouth Lido site in 2026 and deliver a budget saving of £74k.

2.          Declare the Teignmouth Lido asset surplus to Council requirements and dispose of the freehold interest, as described in the title plan at Appendix C, on the open market, without setting restrictions as to future use.

3.     The results of all bids be brought back to the September Executive meeting for consideration.

Report to follow

It was noted that this item was deferred to the next meeting scheduled for 10 March 2026.

Executive Member Decisions

Noted.