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Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 29th September, 2025 5.00 pm

September 29, 2025 View on council website

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“Will younger residents' reorganisation views be sought?”

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Summary

The Scrutiny Committee of Mid Devon Council is scheduled to meet on 29 September 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including local government reorganisation, housing repairs and maintenance, and infrastructure improvements. The committee will also review its work programme and receive updates on Devon Highways and S106 agreements1.

Here are the topics that the report pack indicates will be discussed:

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the latest developments regarding local government reorganisation and devolution. The Chief Executive is expected to present a report, alongside a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement.

The report pack includes Appendix A - LGR Survey Response Report, which summarises the results of a public engagement exercise conducted between 2 July 2025 and 31 August 2025. According to the report:

We had 363 responses, mainly from residents (88.7%), although some also responded as businesses, councillors, towns and parishes, or from the voluntary and community sector.

The report notes that over 80% of responses were from those aged over 50, and suggests that greater attention should be paid to fostering interest and response from younger people in future public consultation processes.

The report also indicates that the deadline for submission of proposals for local government reorganisation remains 28 November 2025.

Mid Devon Housing Repairs and Maintenance

The Head of Housing and Health is scheduled to present a report on Mid Devon Housing (MDH) repairs and maintenance, with a focus on asset management and the safety of homes.

The report includes discussion of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) consumer standards2, and Awaab's law3. According to the report, Awaab's law is:

effective from 27th October 2025 and mandates social landlords in England address serious housing hazards, particularly damp and mould, within strict timeframes to ensure tenant safety.

The report also refers to the Decent Homes Standard (DHS)4, noting that over 99% of MDH stock meets the current standard.

The report states that MDH has prioritised planned maintenance over responsive maintenance, with a budgetary split of 60/40% respectively. The planned maintenance budget for the financial year is £4.8m, and includes:

  • Re-roofing
  • Double Glazed unit replacement
  • Fire safety works
  • Structural repairs
  • Windows/door replacement
  • Heating replacements
  • Renewable energy works
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Asbestos removal
  • Gas and Electrical servicing and testing
  • Solid Fuel removal
  • Legionella testing and remedial works

The report also details performance monitoring, complaints, and satisfaction metrics related to MDH repairs and maintenance. It highlights the use of AICO Environmental Sensors to monitor conditions in properties and identify potential issues early.

S106 (and Infrastructure List) Review

Richard Marsh, Director of Economy and Place, is scheduled to present a report outlining the approach adopted by the Council in identifying items for inclusion within the Infrastructure Funding List.

The report pack indicates that the Infrastructure Funding List is broken down into three categories of priority:

  • Priority 1: High importance
  • Priority 2: Important
  • Priority 3: Desirable

The items within the list are informed by adopted planning policy and are items where a formal planning 'need' and evidence base can be referenced. The report states that inclusion on the list does not guarantee funding, but the list will be used as a reference document for informing Heads of Terms for new S106 Agreements and also for prioritising the expenditure of existing S106 funds.

Devon Highways - Junction 28 of the M5

The Director of Place and Economy is scheduled to provide a verbal update on the progress with the Department of Transport regarding proposed improvements to Junction 28 of the M5.

Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review its existing work plan and consider items for future consideration. This includes any items within the Forward Plan and suggestions for future work.


  1. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers, used to mitigate the impact of new developments on the community and infrastructure. 

  2. The RSH sets standards for social housing providers to ensure tenants receive good quality services and homes. 

  3. Awaab's Law is a piece of legislation that will require social landlords in England to address serious housing hazards, such as damp and mould, within strict timeframes. It is named after Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 due to mould exposure in his home. 

  4. The Decent Homes Standard is a government standard for social housing, ensuring properties are in a good state of repair, have reasonably modern facilities and services, and provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort. 

Attendees

Profile image for CllrLance Kennedy
Cllr Lance Kennedy  Liberal Democrats •  Tiverton Cranmore
Profile image for CllrGill Westcott
Cllr Gill Westcott  Green Party •  Canonsleigh
Profile image for CllrChris Adcock
Cllr Chris Adcock  Liberal Democrats •  Clare & Shuttern
Profile image for CllrDavid Broom
Cllr David Broom  Liberal Democrats •  Tiverton Westexe
Profile image for CllrEmma Buczkowski
Cllr Emma Buczkowski  Liberal Democrats •  Cullompton St Andrews
Profile image for CllrAndy Cuddy
Cllr Andy Cuddy  Liberal Democrats •  Tiverton Lowman
Profile image for CllrGordon Czapiewski
Cllr Gordon Czapiewski  Chair of Council •  Liberal Democrats •  Tiverton Lowman
Profile image for CllrMatt Farrell
Cllr Matt Farrell  Liberal Democrats •  Tiverton Lowman
Profile image for CllrClaudette Harrower
Cllr Claudette Harrower  Liberal Democrats •  Tiverton Westexe
Profile image for CllrLloyd Knight
Cllr Lloyd Knight  Liberal Democrats •  Cullompton Padbrook
Profile image for CllrJohn Poynton
Cllr John Poynton  Liberal Democrats •  Lower Culm
Profile image for CllrRhys Roberts
Cllr Rhys Roberts  Conservative •  Cadbury
Profile image for CllrSue Robinson
Cllr Sue Robinson  Liberal Democrats •  Cullompton Padbrook
Profile image for CllrGwen Duchesne MBE
Cllr Gwen Duchesne MBE  Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement •  Liberal Democrats •  Halberton
Profile image for CllrJames Buczkowski
Cllr James Buczkowski  Liberal Democrats •  Cullompton St Andrews
Profile image for CllrJane Lock
Cllr Jane Lock  Cabinet Member for Housing, Assets and Property Services •  Liberal Democrats •  Canonsleigh
Profile image for CllrLuke Taylor
Cllr Luke Taylor  Leader of the Council •  Liberal Democrats •  Bradninch

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 29th-Sep-2025 17.00 Scrutiny Committee.pdf

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 29th-Sep-2025 17.00 Scrutiny Committee.pdf

Minutes

Printed minutes 29th-Sep-2025 17.00 Scrutiny Committee.pdf

Additional Documents

Printed minutes 08092025 1700 Scrutiny Committee.pdf
S106 and infrastructure review Sep 2025.pdf
Scrutiny 290925 HRA Repairs Maintenance Report.pdf
290925 Scrutiny LGR update.pdf
LGR Report Appendix A - LGR Survey Response Report.pdf
Notification of Key Decisions- September 2025 Cabinet.pdf
Scrutiny Committee Work Plan 2025 - 2026 29 Sept 2025.pdf
Public Question and Answers Scrutiny Committee 29.09.25.pdf