The Planning, Environment & Sustainability Policy Development Group are scheduled to meet on 23 September 2025 to discuss the Medium Term Financial Plan, receive an update on climate and sustainability in the area, and discuss planning policy around anaerobic digester plants. The group will also receive updates on performance and planning matters.

Medium Term Financial Plan

The group is scheduled to discuss the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), which covers the period 2026/27 to 2028/29. Andrew Jarrett, Deputy Chief Executive (S151), is expected to present the report. The MTFP outlines the financial uncertainty the council faces and focuses on aspects relevant to the Policy Development Group.

A key issue is the government's announcement that most local government funding mechanisms will change in 2026/27, creating an unprecedented level of uncertainty . The council anticipates being among a minority of authorities facing a real terms cut of 5-7% in 2026/27. This could result in a funding shortfall of £2m - £3m.

However, new funding sources like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Grant and the Weekly Food Collection Grant could reduce the impact. The council has earmarked the £1,438k EPR Grant received in 2025/26 for waste depot remodelling. They are also assuming £250k per annum from the Weekly Food Collection Grant.

The MTFP is based on several underlying principles:

• General Fund Reserves: The council aims to balance the revenue budget without using general fund reserve balances.
• Optimise Income Generation: The council will explore opportunities to generate additional sustainable income through fees, charges, and commercial opportunities.
• Allocation of Revenue Resources: Resources will be directed to high priority and statutory services.
• Allocation of Capital Resources: The council will prioritise schemes that generate income, meet corporate objectives, and enhance its asset base.

The report pack outlines potential changes to local government funding, including:

• Core Government Funding: The Fair Funding Review 2.0 will replace existing funding formulas.
• Business Rates: Changes include revaluation of local business properties, new multipliers, and removal/reduction in reliefs.
• Council Tax: Government proposals may soften enforcement capabilities, potentially reducing council tax collection.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Government have indicated that similar levels of funding should be available in future years, albeit that as producers reduce the volume of packaging, the grant received will fall.
• Food Waste: There is potential funding available to help meet the cost of weekly food collection from 2026/27.

The report pack models three potential scenarios based on possible outcomes from the Fair Funding Review 2.0, indicating a forecast shortfall for 2026/27 ranging from £900k to £3,300k.

The report pack also lists budget pressures emerging, including increased finance leasing costs, additional staffing required within Public Health & Licensing, and reduced S106[^2] monitoring fees.

The report pack identifies potential savings options, including increasing income from Planning Performance Agreements, increasing national fees for particular application types, and reducing the budget within Climate Change.

Climate and Sustainability Update

The Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group are scheduled to receive an update on the council's Climate and Sustainability Programme from Jason Ball, Climate and Sustainability Specialist, and Paul Deal, Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience.

The council's environmental sustainability work is divided into corporate activity related to its own assets and operations, and activities to enable and facilitate community actions across Mid Devon. Climate change actions address mitigation (reducing greenhouse emissions) and adaptation (resilience to climate change risks).

The council's Climate Change Strategy 2024/28 aligns with the 2024/28 Corporate Plan. The annual Climate Action Plan (CAP) aims to deliver corporate Net Zero at the soonest opportunity.

The report pack includes the council's carbon footprint for the 2024/25 financial year. Net emissions totalled 18,364 tCO2e, 2% higher than the previous year. The report pack notes that estimated emissions from procurement increased by 1,370 tCO2e, while emissions from social housing decreased by 751 tCO2e.

The report pack also provides an update on community and partnership activities, including a forum for key stakeholders and small grants to community groups taking action on climate and sustainability.

Anaerobic Digester Plants

The group is scheduled to discuss options for further planning policy or guidance related to the development and management of Anaerobic Digester plants within Mid Devon. Cllr Steve Keable, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Regeneration, is named as the responsible cabinet member in the report pack.

In July 2025, Councillor Gill Westcott put forward a motion asking the council to prepare a supplementary planning document outlining the conditions under which further applications for Anaerobic Digester plants would be acceptable. The motion was referred to this PDG for review.

The report pack outlines the current planning policy position, noting that the council determines planning applications for Anaerobic Digesters on a case-by-case basis, with reference to relevant planning policy. Several policies within the adopted Local Plan are relevant, including:

• Policy S1 Sustainable Development Priorities
• Policy S14 Countryside
• Policy DM2 Renewable and low carbon energy

The report pack states that the council is unable to introduce new planning policy under the adopted Local Plan and that any new local planning policy would need to be introduced through the next Local Plan (Plan Mid Devon), which is currently in development.

The report pack presents four options available to the council:

1. Continue to rely on existing planning policy alone.
2. Develop a further Supplementary Planning Document specific to AD plants.
3. Develop a broader AD advice note.
4. Do not develop any further guidance or policy in the short term and instead look to address the issue through the new Local Plan.

The report pack recommends asking the Cabinet Member to instruct officers to engage suitably qualified consultants in discussion to determine what could be contained within an advice/guidance note to inform Council work relating to Anaerobic Digester plants, the cost for the production of such an advice note, and the timetable for completion.

Planning Summary Report

The group is scheduled to receive a planning summary report from Richard Marsh, Director of Place and Economy, providing updates on planning matters.

The report pack notes that the government is expected to consult on a national set of 'core' development management policies, but no announcements have yet been made.

Work to develop the new Local Plan (Plan Mid Devon) continues, and the Local Plan team has appointed an interim officer (consultant) to support the work.

The Blackdown Hills National Landscape Management Plan was adopted at the 8th July Cabinet meeting, and the EUE (Area B) masterplan was noted at the September Cabinet meeting.

Performance within Development Management remains strong, with 100% of householder applications determined within 8 weeks and 0.5% of minor applications overturned at appeal. However, Q1 income is below trajectory for the year.

Building Control continues to perform well, albeit with continuing resourcing challenges and pressures accruing through changes introduced through the Building Safety Act (2024).