Agenda item

To receive a biannual update from Executive Members for:

-        Housing and Homelessness – Councillor Buscombe(attached)

-        Economy, Estates, Major Projects and Neighbourhoods - Councillor Palethorpe (attached)

-        Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and complaints - Councillor Nuttall (to follow)

(Future updates on LGR, and Complaints will be given by the Leader and Cllr Sanders respectively whose portfolios now include these matters)

The Committee scrutinised the agenda biannual update reports from the Executive Member for Economy, Estates, and Major Projects, and Housing and Homelessness.

The Executive Members further updated the Committee on the report which summarised 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.

Additional information given by the Executive Member for Economy, Estates, and Major Projects in response to questions included: the refurbished Newton abbot market was scheduled to open June/July to the public following completion of due legal processes; existing traders have been  happy with their relocated site; the mini market may continue once the refurbished Market Hall is opened, providing more market stalls and opportunity for traders than previously; the internal communications relating to the Supreme Court Ruling on single sex changing rooms would be looked into; the Bradley Lane brownfield site would progress for development; the refurbished Broadmeadow Leisure Centre’s changing rooms are in the ‘village’ design and met all regulations; discussions are ongoing with Parish and Town Councils regarding opportunity for asset transfers, with agreement to commence the legal transfer process and would include play parks with CIL/Section 106 funds also being available as part of the process.

Other issues raised included: capacity management and resource implications; how are priorities being met and delivered, given the capacity that exist; what are the implications of the funding gap, and demonstration of CIL prioritisation, monitoring and delivery of funds. 

The Executive Member for Economy, Estates, and Major Projects advised the focus is on delivering the priorities of One Teignbridge and the Strategic Asset Plan.

Additional information given by the Executive Member for Housing and Homelessness and the Head of Housing in response to questions included: the Bradley Mill site is allocated for housing, and a feasibility study is being carried out on the provision of Extra-Care housing, affordable and other housing on the site; the Council is now in contract for the Sherbourne Road Car Park site which will provide one and two-bedroom social rented homes.  Harewood House is to be refurbished and converted for use as temporary homeless accommodation.

The provision of smaller social homes is a priority because of high demand for 1-bed units on the housing waiting list and there is an imbalance between demand and supply. Feasibility studies of nine small Council-owned sites for affordable housing development are progressing and opportunities for conversion of assets to provide affordable homes will also be considered. The council is working with Centrepoint on a partnership to address youth homelessness; and staff are monitoring the effect of the Renters Rights Act on the private rental sector.

Other issues raised included that extra care units were being looked at for Newton abbot and should also be progressed for other towns and parish areas.

The full discussion can be found the link below

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 14 April 2026, 10:00am - Start video at 1:21:28 - Teignbridge District Council Webcasting