To receive a biannual updates from the following Executive Members:
T100 (Cllr Buscombe)
Homes and Communities (Cllr Goodman-Bradbury)
Recycling, Household Waste & Environmental Health (Cllr Williams)
Open Spaces, Leisure, Sport, Resorts and Tourism (Cllr Nutley)
Minutes:
Cllr Goodman-Bradbury is unable to attend so the biannual report on Communities will be deferred
Cllr Buscombe provided his biannual update on T100, Homes and housing as the ‘Homes’ element has now moved to his area of responsibility
· Homeless applications increasing
· Upward trend in Homelessness
· Cost of Temporary accommodation increasing and is demand led e.g. B&B increased by 50% since 2022/23 with some central budget support
· Rough Sleepers (defined as sleeping out overnight) can be reported on www.streetlink.org.uk. Funding ends March 2026.
· Private Rented Homes in short supply
· Delays in assessment being experienced
· Reasons for social housing being in demand includes affordability and security of tenure
· Disabled Facilities Grants
· Improving Homes
· Affordable Houses including Rural exception sites
· Demand for 1 bed accommodation
A number of questions were raised and answered where appropriate
· How many in temporary accommodation are placed out of District? Where possible Albany and Luscombe (our own accommodations) are used or local Bed & Breakfast establishments (Room only). Officers to provide a response
· What is the process for bring potentially appropriate premises to the attention of the council? Inform Graham Davey
· Regarding underoccupancy – ‘downsizing’ is given a higher priority category to encourage move to a smaller property. The Council is not a major stake-holder so we have to work with the large providers to influence rather than direct action
· What can we do about empty flats above shops? We have an ‘Empty Homes Team’. Some are legitimately empty e.g. no separate access and/or used for stock storage
· Devon Home Choice operate 4 categories of need for Teignbridge which are supported by legislation.
o A Highest – emergency placements
o B Urgent housing need
o C Medium health & wellbeing
o D Low health & wellbeing
o E No housing need N/A for Teignbridge
In addition, there are reciprocal arrangements and the right to mutual exchange
· Why don’t we build new homes at cheaper costs or provide more from the open-market? External grant funding is more generous for certain standard of build and we would require capital funding to purchase on the open-market (being explored – business case must make a 1% return on investment)
· How many private rental properties are available in the District? Numbers are not held but estimated numbers can be provided by officers
· Are certain group included in the numbers e.g. Afghan/Ukranian/ Unaccompanied Minors? Not at the stage that they are classified as refugees/asylum seekers etc.
· We are reliant on the private market and concerns around the potential impact of the Renters Reform Bill is shared by members and officers
The full presentation can be seen at the link below:-
Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 12 November 2024
Following a short break, Cllr Williams gave some verbal feedback on his areas of responsibility ((i) and (ii) below and responded to questions:
(i) Recycling and Household Waste
· Recycling rates were 55% - aiming for 60% and looking at changing frequencies of black/green bins etc. This was generally understood by members but with some concerns for town centre properties and high density living and tourist areas who would struggle with storage and increased risks of fly-tipping or rats
· New quieter machines which had been reconfigured to store more food and less paper
· There had recently been a popular fun competition to name the vehicles
· The electric vehicles arriving by Christmas and the recharging points have been installed in the Yard
· The yard/Depot is currently uncovered and there is a need to do something. New drainage costs are prohibitive so it will have to be roofed. A written response will be given regarding the funding arrangements for this – including opportunities for grant funding or the possibility of support from Devon County Council [if any]
· Any developments are ‘future-proofed’ as well as can be
· ‘Green bins’ take-up increased
· 5,000 houses trial on tetrapaks collection being funded by grants
· Soft plastics collection by 2026 – awaiting information from DEFRA
· Chewing gum removal machine equipment has been retained and an article will be appearing in the members newsletter in due course
· It was noted that Primary Schools should be involved in improving recycling rates – they can influence parents
· Regarding street cleaning in rural areas – an IT solution is being worked on with STRATA
(ii) Environmental Health
· This included responsibilities relating to Hackney Carriages and the Gambling Act
· Regarding Pavement Licences, an officer is visiting establishments
· Comments were noted over the flat fee being charged for such licences as it disadvantages small businesses e.g. Coffee vans. Potential issue in Newton Abbot with 5 cafes in Queen Street potentially using the newly created pavement spaces.
· Funeral Directors are not licenced but have all been reviewed
· Pest control are now charging for the service provided
· Residential caravan sites are being licenced
· A question was raised about who is responsible for people who appear to be living in vans – they can be referred to Housing or to Devon County Council if on the public Highway
Cllr Nutley presented his biannual report on Open Spaces, Leisure, Sport, Resorts & Tourism and areas where he represented the Council on outside organisations
· Out and About and Active Programme overview – Teignbridge Ten
· Conservation volunteer task days
· Education and learning
· Green spaces and community engagement (5 informative slides)
· Refurbishment for Broadmeadow and Dawlish Leisure Centres. Broadmeadow due to reopen in May 2025
· Sports pitches and open spaces play areas now 9 Tennis courts, support for approximately 23 clubs to regularly play football & rugby and 3 Bowling Clubs
· Performance indicators show membership growth and a strong range of community programmes
· Ridgetop Park is well worth a visit, particularly at sunrise or sunset but it was recognised that signage in the local area could be improved
Questions were asked and comments made which would be responded to in due course as appropriate
· Regarding the Playing Pitch Strategy in 2018 – what changes have taken place since then? E.g. All-weather hockey pitch and the extra lane in Dawlish Pool
· There is a demand for allotments which are taking a very long time to progress – how many are there?
· What was the cost of the recent TV campaign and how many new members did we gain as a result?
· How are we meeting the needs of elderly people? Are we offering appropriate classes etc?
· Recognise the Voluntary Sector Provision
· Other options should be benchmarked when presenting options
· Potential safeguarding issues in Buckland Play Park as it is apparently not visible from outside
Annual Review of Dartmoor National Park 2023/24 document was referred to and some statistics briefly mentioned and the full document would be made available to members.
Torbay and South Devon and NHS Foundation Trust
The One Devon Bulletin was referred to and would be made available to members
Exe Estuary Management Partnership
The presentation would be made available to members
The full presentation can be seen at the link below:-
Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 12 November 2024