The Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement Policy Development Group met on 15 September 2025, and recommended that the Cabinet note the updated Medium Term Financial Plan, approve savings option 1, approve the approach for the inspection and risk assessment of the council's play areas, recommend to full council the adoption of the new Memorial Benches and Memorial Tree Policy, approve the proposed strategy regarding reinvigorating resident awareness and participation with the Bin-It 123 scheme, receive an evidence based report from the officers regarding potential additional recycling collections, and authorise the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces to carry out the necessary statutory consultation, publicity and notification for the proposed Crediton Order. The Group also recommended that the Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Director of Legal, HR & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to draft the Crediton Order to go out to consultation, and grant delegated authority to the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement, to then consider the responses to the necessary consultation, publicity and notification, decide, in light of the responses received to the consultation, whether to not proceed with the order if there were numerous material objections, or to authorise the Director of Legal, HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to seal the order, and authorise the Director of Legal HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make any minor amendments to the draft of the Crediton Order prior to sealing.

Medium Term Financial Plan

The group reviewed the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), which covers the period 2026/27 to 2028/29. The report highlighted the unprecedented level of uncertainty faced by all councils in respect of funding from 2026/27 onwards, and estimated a range that the shortfall could fall within.

The report noted that the Chancellor's Autumn Budget would not be available until the end of November 2025, delaying detail at individual local authority level. Officers had identified a range of budget options to address the budget shortfall, using a Red, Amber and Green (RAG) assessment, and were presented to the relevant Policy Development Groups for discussion, with the recommendation to support the Green and Amber options.

Discussion took place regarding:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): An explanation of EPR was provided, clarifying that the council would receive funding based on the amount of packaging it collected. The draft budget included an estimated figure of how much that was likely to be.
• Devon County Council Shared Savings: It was noted that this funding would cease to be paid after 2025/2026, creating a pressure on the budget.
• Cost Pressures: The PDG reviewed each of the cost pressures under its remit, including solar panels on the waste depot, fuel costs, and the government's emissions tax from 2028/2029 onwards. It was noted that many of the cost pressures were outside of the council's control.
• Savings Options: The PDG discussed each of the savings options identified by officers in Appendix 3 of the Medium Term Financial Plan. This assumed that Option 1 (generally green) would be considered, with Options 2 and 3 included separately should the PDG wish to recommend stretching the savings proposals further. Option 2 (Amber) were recommended by officers but were proposed with a health warning. Option 3 (Red) were 'doable' but not recommended by officers. Concerns were raised regarding the impact on town centres of a 5% increase in car parking fees and the sensitivity around leisure upgrades.

The PDG recommended to the Cabinet that:

• The updated MTFP position be noted.
• Savings Option 1 in Appendix 3 of the Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

The reason for the decision was that by undertaking regular reviews of the MTFP the Council can ensure that its Corporate Plan priorities are affordable.

Public Spaces Protection Order - Alcohol Prohibition, Crediton Town

The Group considered a report from the Environment & Enforcement Manager and the Head of People, Governance & Waste recommending the approval of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in order to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with the public consumption of alcohol in Crediton Town Centre.

The Group were reassured that the proposed PSPO was supported by the local Town Council and the Police.

The Group recommended to Cabinet that it makes the following resolutions:

• On being satisfied that the statutory grounds for making the Crediton Order are met, the Cabinet to authorise the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces to carry out the necessary statutory consultation, publicity and notification for the proposed Crediton Order.
• The Cabinet to grant delegated authority to the Director of Legal, HR & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to draft the Crediton Order to go out to consultation.
• The Cabinet to grant delegated authority to the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement, to then:
  • Consider the responses to the necessary consultation, publicity and notification.
  • Decide, in light of the responses received to the consultation, whether to not proceed with the order if there were numerous material objections, or to authorise the Director of Legal, HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to seal the order.
  • Authorise the Director of Legal HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make any minor amendments to the draft of the Crediton Order prior to sealing.

The reason for the decision was that it is believed the current behaviours are having a detrimental effect on the quality of life within the area in a persistent and continuing nature.

Bin-It 123

The Group reviewed a report from the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces and the Head of People, Performance and Waste reviewing the progress made to date by Bin-It 123 and considering the key elements of the next strategic phase that are necessary to maximise recycling rates as well as increase resident engagement and support.

The report set out the current situation regarding Bin It 123 and future plans, including:

• A strategy to help reinvigorate Bin-It 123 to help households nudge more of their residual waste into their recycling.
• Key aspects of the strategy including Education and Enforcement, and a focused Communications Strategy.
• Future recycling collections the Council could consider implementing, including disposable nappies and the collection of soft plastics, which was a mandatory collection to be introduced no later than 1 April 2027.

The Group recommended to the Cabinet that:

• It approves the proposed strategy regarding reinvigorating resident awareness and participation with the Bin-It 123 scheme.
• It receives an evidence based report from the officers regarding potential additional recycling collections in order to make informed decisions moving forward.

The reason for the decision was that an increase in recycling would further enable the Council to reduce its carbon footprint and hit its carbon net zero commitment.

Public Spaces Protection Order - Dog Control

The Group considered a report from the Environment & Enforcement Manager and the Head of People, Governance and Waste recommending the commencement of statutory procedures (including consultation) to vary by order the Mid Devon (Public Spaces Protection) (Dog Control) Order 2024 and to delegate authority to decide whether to make the order of variation after consultation has taken place.

A formal request had been received from a Parish Council for this variation, which had been supported by the local Ward Member.

The Group recommended to the Cabinet that it makes the following resolutions:

• On being satisfied that the statutory grounds for varying the Mid Devon (Public Spaces Protection) (Dog Control) Order 2024 (the Dog Control PSPO ) are met, as detailed in the report, to allow officers to commence statutory consultation for the following:
• To vary the Dog Control PSPO by including the prohibition that dogs are excluded from the area known as the recreation ground Silverton (as shown on the plan at Appendix 1 of the Final SD CI PDG PSPO Dogs Variation Order Silverton Sept 25). Delegated Authority to be granted to the Director of Legal, HR & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to draft the necessary order varying the Dog Control PSPO that can then go out to consultation.
• The Cabinet consider granting delegated authority to the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement etc. to:
  • consider the responses to the necessary consultation, publicity and notification
  • decide whether to refer the matter back to Cabinet for a decision or to decide in the light of the responses received whether to make the Variation Order and to authorise the Director of Legal, HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to seal the order
  • authorise, if it was considered appropriate, the Director of Legal, HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make any minor amendments to the draft of the variation order prior to sealing the variation order
• That a general delegation be made to the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement to decide any further future variations to the Dog Control PSPO proposed by the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces following the necessary statutory consultation, publicity and notification requirements for future PSPOs.
• Delegation to be given to the Director of Legal, HR and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make orders of variation, following decisions from the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement.

The reason for the decision was that the Dog Control PSPO is designed to curb anti-social behaviour arising from irresponsible control of dogs and dog fouling.

Play Area Risk Assessment and Safety Inspection Review

The Group considered a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience reviewing the Council's management of play area risk assessment and safety.

The Group recommended to the Cabinet that the approach for the inspection and risk assessment of the Council's play areas and that these are brought back for future review no later than 2028 be approved.

The reason for the decision was that the Council must have an inspection and maintenance regime for its play areas as stated within the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Memorial Seat and Tree Policy

The Group considered a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience reviewing a proposed new policy for Memorial Seats and Trees on Council property.

The Group recommended to the Cabinet that it recommends to full Council the adoption of the new Memorial Benches and Memorial Tree Policy.

The reason for the decision was that the provision of seats where the Council may not otherwise provide them may ameliorate the experience of those users with reduced mobility and enable greater confidence to use parks and cemeteries for recreation and reflection.

Digital Transformation Update

Lisa Lewis, Head of Digital Transformation and Customer Engagement, provided the Group with a verbal update on several projects which fell under the umbrella of Digital Transformation.

This included the following information:

• In-cab project: This project is designed for the Waste Service and its heavy goods vehicles, and will provide real time evidence and capture communications for the waste crews. It will also help with routing and in identifying missed collections, and will be integrated with the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• Resident App: Residents will be able to download the App onto their smart devices, and waste collection information would be instant rather than sent via email as it is now. It would also have a 'Find my nearest' function and nearby planning applications could also be searched for.

The Group noted the information and thanked the officer for such a thorough explanation of some exciting projects.

Performance Dashboard Q1

The Group were presented with a slide showing performance information in the Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement area, and noted the information.

The dashboards aimed to give an 'at a glance' understanding of how services were performing in terms of performance measures, finance and risk. Any measures that were also part of the Corporate Plan were listed in yellow text.

A brief discussion took place regarding whether or not the Red RAG rating should be changed to Green for the Projected Capital Outturn position for the Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement PDG. The officer agreed to reflect on this before reporting to the next meeting.

Quarter 1 Environment & Enforcement Performance Report

The Group were presented with a report from the Environment & Enforcement Manager and the Head of People, Performance & Waste providing a quarterly update on key environment performance data including fly tipping, littering, Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN), and noted the information. It also gave a brief summary of Car Parking performance and the issuing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN's).

A brief discussion took place regarding the difficulties involved in catching people responsible for dogs fouling.

Identification of items for the next meeting

The items listed in the work programme for the next meeting were noted.

In addition the following was requested to be on the agenda for the next meeting:

• A report detailing the business continuity plans in place for the Leisure Centres given recent events.