The Teignbridge Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Modern 25 Programme, review the results of a public survey on issue prioritisation, and receive biannual updates from the Executive Member for Planning, Councillor Gary Taylor, and Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation, Councillor Charles Nuttall. The committee also reviewed the Council Strategy Q1 performance monitoring report, and received updates from outside organisations.

Modern 25 Programme

The committee reviewed the progress of the Modern 25 Programme, a transformation initiative aiming to deliver a new operating model and achieve £2.6 million in savings by 2025.

The programme, initiated in September 2022, is designed to align services with corporate priorities and improve efficiency through digital innovation and organisational restructuring. It is split into six workstreams:

• Strategic Portfolio
• Customer Service Design
• Digital & Technical
• People & Organisation
• Governance & Performance
• Culture & Change

The report noted that by the end of 2023/24, £649,600 (22%) of the savings target was achieved ahead of schedule, with an additional £233,269 (7%) forecast for 2024/25, totalling an estimated 29% of the overall goal. Continued delivery depends on key projects including asset disposals, recharging for green space management, reducing discretionary spending, enhancing commercial income, and implementing service restructures.

The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) working group continues to develop recommendations for implementation into the budget setting proposals for 2026/27.

Public Survey Results - Overview and Scrutiny Issue Prioritisation

The committee considered the results of a public survey conducted from 4 to 29 August 2025, which prioritised issues for the Overview and Scrutiny work programme. The survey received 142 responses, ranking topics from 1 (most important) to 10 (least important). The top five issues identified were:

1. Health and Dentistry (3.61)
2. Safeguarding (3.70)
3. Financial State of Teignbridge (budget gap) (3.72)
4. Cyber Security Failure and ICT Security Measures (3.79)
5. Economic Development in Teignbridge (4.07)

As a result of the survey, the committee agreed to the following actions:

• Health and Dentistry: The Chair to write to Devon County Council's Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and the Director of Public Health to discuss key areas and how to work together on this issue.
• Safeguarding: This item is scheduled in for the June 2026 Committee meeting.
• Financial State of Teignbridge: A Budget Monitoring 2025/26 Report is scheduled for November 2025. The Medium Term Financial Plan Task and Finish Group continued to meet over the summer and into the Autumn with a view to bringing a report to the same meeting. The proposed 2026/27 and final budget 2026/27 are scheduled for January and February 2026 respectively.
• Cyber Security Failure and ICT Security Measures: Consideration of this via a future briefing session delivered by Strata, ensuring that the Audit Committee are also aware of the key issues.
• Economic Development in Teignbridge: A Spotlight Review is planned in late 2025/ early 2026 (date TBC).
• South West Water: The Chair to write to South West Water to ask for an update on their water quality improvement plans and planning for future developments.
• Emergency Planning for Major Emergencies: Consideration of this via a future briefing session delivered by TDC Officers.
• Education: The Chair to write to Devon County Council's Children's Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet Member for Children's Services (Education) and the Deputy Director for Education to discuss key areas and how to work together on this issue. Consideration will also be given to ensuring that Teignbridge schools are included.
• Unauthorised Encampments: This item is scheduled in for the November 2026 Committee meeting to review how the Council is taking the lessons of 2025 into 2026.
• Planning Performance: A Spotlight Review is planned in late 2025/ early 2026 (date TBC).
• Town and Parish Councils Working Agreement: The Chair to ask to meet the Head of Strategy and Partnerships to brief him and the Vice Chair on the proposals, considering that the Executive are due to consider the item on 7th October 2025.
• Health and Safety Legislation Risks: The Committee be asked to refer any concerns to the Audit Committee.
• Leisure Policy/Strategy: The Chair to write to the Executive Member and Head of Leisure to ask when this Policy/Strategy would be ready with a view to consider it at a future Committee meeting.
• Recruitment and Retention of Staff: The Chair to write to the Managing Director (as Head of Paid Service) to ask him about the Council's policies regarding recruitment and retention and to discuss any key issues for consideration.
• Local Government Reorganisation: This item has been placed on the agenda for the Informal Meeting / Standing Overview Group in October 2025 to discuss the available options and evidence bases, considering the deadline for submissions in November 2025.
• Review of Carbon Action Plans: This item is scheduled in for the January 2026 Committee meeting, coinciding with Executive items around this time.
• Single Sex Spaces: Date TBC – once the EHRC Code of Practice is published (as per the OS Recommendation from May 2025)

Executive Member Bi-Annual Updates

Councillor Gary Taylor, Executive Member for Planning, provided an update on Development Management, Planning Policy, Building Control, CIL and S106. He noted the turnaround of performance on planning applications and the generally high morale within the dedicated team. Challenges included staff recruitment and retention, maintaining performance, and improving reputation and working relationships with town and parish councils, developers and other stakeholders.

Councillor Charles Nuttall, Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution, provided an update on the status of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including the position of authorities around Devon, the work undertaken by officers and commissioned bodies on LGR, the financial implications of this, alongside the results of consultation work undertaken by TDC to date.

Outside Organisation Updates

Councillor Robert Steemson, representative for the Local Government Association Rural Services Network, reported that he was not aware of any set requirements to attend nationally based meetings however there is a monthly emailed Rural Funding Digest and Government Consultations Bulletin and a weekly Rural Services Network Bulletin (RSNB). He stated that he could not honestly give any examples of any brief being followed because he is not clear what the actual brief is. That said, the regular bulletins mentioned above are useful and he has forwarded the more topical and interesting information onto all Councillors.

Councillor John Nutley, representative for the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, reported on significant improvements in performance around A&E performance (4hr waits and ambulance handover times) and long waits for elective care. He noted that the trust is the best performing Devon Trust for 3 out of the 4 constitutional standards and this is recognised regionally and nationally. He also noted progress with £15m investment in enlarged and improved A&E facilities at Torbay Hospital.

Councillor John Nutley, representative for the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), reported that the DNPA's main job is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the park, while also promoting opportunities for public enjoyment and fostering the economic and social well being of local communities. He noted that there is an issue in Ashburton and the DNPA planning and TDC Environmental are working together in trying to resolve the matter.

Councillor John Nutley, representative for the Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP), reported that the primary purpose of the EEMP is to co-ordinate and manage the Exe Estuary, balancing its protected nature with human use by harmonizing the interests of local authorities, government agencies, and conservation, commercial, and recreational groups. He noted that TDC gives the EEMP an annual funding of just over £2000.00.

Council Strategy Q1 Performance Monitoring Report

The committee reviewed the Council Strategy Q1 performance monitoring report and an updated appendix.

The report noted that financial budget proposals at Executive 6 January 2025 identified a budget gap of £3.6 million in 2026/27 and £3.5 million in 2027/28 before using earmarked reserves.

Of the Teignbridge Ten (T10) programmes, nine are on track, with A roof over our heads reported with a caution status.

A total of 79 Performance Indicators (PIs) were included in the report, with 4 ahead of target, 8 on target, 6 underperforming, and 61 monitoring indicators.

A total of 42 projects are included in the report, with 32 on track, 2 with caution, 7 completed, and 1 on hold (data not due).

Details of the programmes, projects and performance indicators with a concern or caution status together with an explanation of their performance and improvement plan can be found in the Updated Appendix Q1 2025-26 Teignbridge Ten Programmes Exception Report.

Of particular note:

• Action on Climate: Electric Vehicles are now being used by staff in variety roles across the Council including parking, community environment wardens and the waste team. The Teignbridge Climate Hub, continues to promote simple actions that residents and business can take to reduce their carbon footprint. The carbon footprint covering the supply of heat to council buildings in 2024/25 is the lowest on record and this reduction in emissions is due to the completion of heat decarbonisation projects at Forde House and the Teignmouth Lido.
• A Roof over our Heads: 50 new affordable homes in urban areas have been completed which is above target. 9 rural affordable homes have also been delivered in Chudleigh Knighton. Forecasts from Registered Provider partners indicate that 2025/26 should see the largest number of new affordable homes delivered for many years, building on the above-target level of delivery last year.
• Clean Scene: The new refuse and recycling collection vehicles have now all arrived. The infrastructure works for power supply to the Forde Road Depot, Multi Storey Car Park and Forde House is completed and the first electric vans are in use across parking enforcement and waste services.
• Going to Town: Works on the regeneration of the Market Hall, Newton Abbot are progressing well and are scheduled to complete in Spring 2026. This will also include repaving the Market Square.
• Great places to live and work: Phase 1 of Ridgetop Park in Matford opened to the public in 2022 and has been well received by local residents, visitors and wide range of stakeholders, including Natural England.
• Moving up a gear: DfT funding package is approved with work set to commence in Autumn 2025 for the A382 widening.