The Community & Resources Committee of Torridge District Council met on 8 September 2025. According to the agenda, the committee was scheduled to discuss the allocation of funds for a number of projects, including improvements to Pollyfield Play Area, and the allocation of sports pitches in Winsford to Bideford AFC Youth. Also on the agenda was the consideration of the draft financial outturn for 2024/25, and a land acquisition opportunity that was to be discussed in a closed session.

Draft Financial Outturn 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to review the draft financial outturn for 2024/25. According to the report pack, the draft surplus for the financial year was £1,696,000, after a budgeted contribution to reserves. The overall increase in reserves over the course of the year was £1,417,000.

The report pack noted that the increase from the underspend anticipated at quarter 3 was due to information that was not available at the time, including the late recognition of grants, and receipts from Treasury Management¹ being higher than anticipated. The report pack listed some of the main contributory factors towards the surplus, including:

• Homelessness costs (net externally provided temporary accommodation)
• Bank interest
• Government grants
• Electricity / gas
• Fuel
• Other local authority
• Repairs & maintenance
• Rent premises / land income
• Charge for services
• Harbour & pilotage income
• Staff costs
• Contributions costs recharged to tenants

Adverse variances included:

• Car park
• Audit
• Premises rent
• Professional fees
• Miscellaneous income
• Computer software
• NNDR[^3] – collection fund income [^3]: NNDR stands for National Non-Domestic Rates, which are taxes paid by the occupiers of non-domestic properties.

The report pack stated that in considering how to utilise the resources available, the areas of greatest demand had been considered, along with prior commitments (i.e. specific grants received). Grants received near the end of the year, which will be spent in 2025/26, had been allocated first. Other areas given consideration included both the delivery of the capital programme, and areas where the council is aware funding will be required to meet commitments and expected expenditure.

The report pack noted the following planned allocations:

• £287,000 for the Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP)
• £94,000 for Homelessness
• £20,000 Levelling Up underspend
• £100,000 for the Apprentice Reserve
• £50,000 for Training
• £180,000 for Planned Maintenance
• £279,000 to top up the Budget Stabilisation Reserve
• £250,000 for Temporary Accommodation
• £150,000 for Leisure, including support to Active Torridge for loss of income incurred from the Holsworthy Leisure Centre site during building works
• £16,000 for IT Servers
• £180,000 for Reductions in Future Borrowing
• £45,000 for The Plough Arts Centre
• £45,000 for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Councillor Bushby's view, as noted in the report pack, was that the proposed utilisation of the draft surplus for 2024/25 represents a reasoned usage considering the priorities and pressures faced by the council.

Winsford Site Allocation

The committee was scheduled to discuss the allocation of the Winsford development sports pitches to Bideford AFC Youth. According to the report pack, Bideford AFC Youth is the largest youth football club in Torridge, but is the only one without a dedicated home. It is a Football Association (FA) accredited club, providing structured football opportunities for over 400 playing members and 40 adult volunteers across 20 teams, engaging approximately 1,500 people within the local community.

The report pack stated that the club has faced a significant challenge since its formation in 2011—the lack of a dedicated facility. For over a decade, the club has held regular meetings with Torridge District Council officers to address this pressing issue. The absence of a permanent home presents several logistical and financial challenges, including:

• Limited access to quality pitches, with matches primarily played at Moreton Park, which is shared with the school, overused, and often in poor condition.
• Transport difficulties for players, particularly those without access to a car, who struggle to reach out-of-town facilities, especially in the winter months.
• Equipment storage issues, with coaches having to transport and store essential gear, such as portable goals, nets, corner flags, and cones, making it difficult to share equipment and increasing costs.
• Volunteer retention and recruitment struggles, with the lack of a home base limiting the club's ability to attract and retain volunteers, including young coaches who do not have access to a vehicle to transport training equipment.

The report pack stated that a dedicated home ground would enhance player development, strengthen club identity, and foster greater community engagement, while also aligning with Sport England's objectives and Torridge District Council's local development plans.

The report pack noted that Sport England's strategy focuses on increasing participation, tackling inequalities, and supporting community sport infrastructure. Establishing a permanent home for Bideford AFC Youth would contribute significantly to these goals.

The report pack stated that a home base would strengthen community ties, positioning the club as a hub for youth development and social engagement. The facility could also be used for other sports, social events, and activities, benefitting the wider community beyond just football. The club could generate additional revenue through, sponsorship, and funding applications, ensuring long-term financial sustainability. A permanent home would reduce ongoing venue hire costs, allowing more investment in coaching, equipment, and player development.

The report pack stated that providing a home ground for Bideford AFC Youth would align with Sport England's objectives of increasing participation and developing community sports infrastructure, while also supporting Torridge District Council's plans to improve local sporting opportunities and community well-being.

Pollyfields Play Space Improvements 2025

The committee was scheduled to discuss the use of £40,509 section 106² funds (obligation associated with Planning Application 1/0327/2008/FUL) and £25,000 Torridge District Council Play Area capital reserve funds, to improve Pollyfield Play Area. The report pack stated that in 2021, Torridge District Council members approved its Play Strategy which the council uses to consider the importance of play within our communities and remain considerate of the condition its play areas are in and make improvements to its stock where necessary.

The report pack noted that Torridge District Council officers, in regular communications with the Pollyfield Community Centre and its users, have identified that The Pollyfield 'infant' Play area is in need of urgent financial support to upgrade its equipment. Recently, the main multi-play unit had to be closed down for a short time to make good a safety concern.

The report pack stated that this play space has not seen any improvement for a long time and is now in desperate need of investment. Benefits of improving the play area include:

• Improved and maintain physical and mental health or children
• A suitable safe space for young people to play
• Opportunities for developing social skills and learning
• Families benefit from healthier, happier children

The report pack stated that there has been great community resurgence around the Pollyfield site over the last couple years with the Community Centre becoming a more welcoming facility, the football club has grown and with the approval of a Playzone to be added to this site, it is important that other facilities, including its play space are improved to keep up momentum of revitalising this area.

The report pack noted that the council currently holds off site recreation section 106 funding that is identified for use in East The Water in association with development 1/0327/2008/FUL (excerpt attached as Appendix 1.) There is currently a balance of £40,509 and it is the recommendation of both officers and ward members that the improvement of the Pollyfield Play Area would constitute best strategic use of the funds, which must be spent by June 2032

The report pack stated that there are funds available to deliver this scheme as listed below:

• £40,509 section 106 1/0327/2008/FUL To be used towards the provision of an equipped play facility required as a result of the BID2 allocation
• £25,000 Torridge District Council Play Area capital funds
• £15,000 funds raised by local people led by The Pollyfield Community Centre.

Urgent Decision

The committee was scheduled to discuss an urgent decision regarding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) professional support.

The report pack stated that local authorities in England are to submit proposals detailing how they intend to reorganise all new two-tier structures into unitary councils by 28 November.

The report pack noted that Torridge District Council has decided to join Exeter City Council in the 1 — 4 — 5 model to have the district and Torbay councils submit a bid/proposal.

The report pack stated that the timeframe for producing the proposal is restrictive, with the committee requiring senior officer resources. The impact on other spending is already being assessed. Therefore, external support to enable the proposal to be submitted on time is required.

The report pack stated that members have asked that options other than the 1-4-5 model be looked at, and that a North Devon option has been explored alongside a North Devon Council . Due to the short time window, external support is required to undertake this above resource.

The report pack noted that a Place Story needs to be commissioned along with North Devon Council to highlight the unique requirements, needs, and opportunities of the North Devon area. This work can then feed into the final Local Government Reorganisation proposal. This piece is estimated to take 12 weeks, so it needs to be initiated urgently so that it can feed into the proposal. This piece of work is also to be included as part of a greater Devon Place Story.

The report pack listed the following commissions:

• Place Story
• 1:4:5 Devon
• Northern Devon

The estimated costs were:

• Torridge District Council - £32,000
• Estimated share of costs with North Devon Council - £25,000
• Estimated share of costs with North Devon - £13,000
• Includes financial modelling for Devon Council - £10,000

The report pack stated that the proposal is supported by the Senior Leadership Team Group and the Leaders who meet as part of the Team.

The report pack noted that Torridge District Council's share of the cost will be met from part of the £34,847.81 allocated to MHCLG³.

Land Acquisition Opportunity

The committee was scheduled to discuss a land acquisition opportunity in a closed session, due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.