The Mid Devon Council Cabinet were scheduled to meet to discuss the draft budget, performance and risk management, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) for dog control and alcohol consumption, changes to tenancy agreements, a mobility scooter policy, and play area and memorial policies.

Draft Budget Report 2026/2027

The Cabinet were scheduled to consider potential pressures and savings options to mitigate a forecast shortfall in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026/27 to 2028/29.

The report pack indicated that the MTFP presented to the Cabinet on 2 September 2025, estimated a general fund shortfall for 2026/27 within the range of £846,000 to £3,350,000. It also presented a Housing Revenue Account (HRA) shortfall of £541,000 in 2026/27, rising to £1,796,000 by 2028/29.

The report pack included potential budget pressures, and budget savings options. These options were graded according to risk:

• Red – indicates the saving could be taken, but there are higher risks/ implications associated with it and therefore officers would not recommend it;
• Amber – indicates the saving could be taken, but there are risks and implications associated that members need to be aware of / accept;
• Green – indicates a saving that is recommended by officers.

The report pack noted that a number of the budget options contained potential proposals to reduce staffing, which would only be possible through natural staff turnover and therefore could not be guaranteed.

The report pack stated that if only the Green and Amber budget proposals were accepted, the overall 2026/27 position was forecast to be:

The report pack stated that this position reflected the recommendations from officers, and that officers would continue to look at further options to mitigate the shortfall.

The report pack also included recommendations made during Policy Development Group (PDG) discussions:

• The Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement PDG recommended that only the Green (option 1) savings were accepted.
• The Community PDG rejected Appendix 3 – row 20 – Cease Community Development Grants – (£120k red saving).
• The Economy & Assets PDG recommended that Cabinet positively and more flexibly consider the red saving proposal for letting out further space within Phoenix House (Appendix 3 – Row 7).
• The Planning, Environment & Sustainability PDG were concerned about a potential reduction in Section 106¹ monitoring fees (Appendix 2 – row 15) and whether this would affect the quality of the facilities being provided, and asked that S106 income be considered further.
• The Homes PDG made no comments and supported all proposals.

Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager providing a quarterly update against the Corporate Plan 2024- 28 and service performance measures for Quarter 1.

The report pack stated that the Corporate Plan has five themes: Planning, Environment and Sustainability; Community, People and Equalities; Homes; Economy and Assets; and Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement.

The report pack included performance indicators, including:

• Planning, Environment and Sustainability: Carbon emissions avoided (renewables and green transport), electric car charger points installed, householder planning applications determined within 8 weeks, and minor applications overturned at appeal.
• Community, People and Equalities: Complaints, homes made safe under the Housing Assistance Policy, new subscribers to the Let's Talk Mid Devon platform², and community emergency plans developed by towns and parishes.
• Homes: Applicants on the Devon Home Choice waiting list, support provided to those experiencing homelessness, and homes becoming part of Mid Devon Housing.
• Economy and Assets: Regular traders at the Pannier market, businesses supported (non-financial support), commercial property voids, events supported in town centres, and tourism events supported.
• Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement: Levels of residual household waste collected, household waste recycled, missed bin collections, and staff turnover.

Corporate Risk Report

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager providing a quarterly update regarding the Corporate Risk register.

The report pack stated that there were currently 17 risks on the Corporate Risk Register (CRR), and included a risk matrix (heat map).

The report pack noted that since the last report, the following significant changes had been made to the CRR:

• CR7 Financial Sustainability: Risk Rating had increased from 16 to 25.
• CR8 Quality of Planning Decisions: Risk Rating had increased from 6 to 9, reflecting the fact that the Local Plan is out of date.
• CR17 Severe Weather Emergency Recovery had been redrafted and widened out to Emergency Recovery. Risk Rating reduced from 12 to 8.
• CR20 Emergency Planning Response was added to the CRR in August 2025.

PSPO Dog Variation Order- Silverton

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of People, Performance and Waste and the Environment and Enforcement Manager to authorise 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.

The report pack stated that Silverton Parish Council had requested that the dog Control PSPO be varied to exclude dogs from the Recreation Ground – Silverton (aka Community Area ).

The report pack stated that under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the Dog Control PSPO may be varied by applying to a new area of public space to which it previously did not apply, only if certain conditions are met as regards activities in that new area:

• activities carried out in the new area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or it is likely that activities will be carried out in the new area and that they will have such an effect.
• the effect, or likely effect, of the activities is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature, is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and justifies the restrictions imposed by the notice.

PSPO Alcohol Prohibition

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of People, Performance and Waste and the Environment and Enforcement Manager that it considers issuing a Public Spaces Protection Order under the powers given to the Council by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to tackle antisocial behaviour associated with public consumption of alcohol in Crediton Town Centre.

The report pack stated that since 10 September 2023, Devon and Cornwall Police had recorded twenty seven incidents reported directly to them regarding anti-social behaviour experienced by members of the public from street drinkers.

The report pack stated that the majority of these ASB incidents had taken place in the proposed alcohol prohibition area.

Bin it 123- Next steps and additional recycling

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of People, Performance and Waste and the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces reviewing the progress made to date by Bin-It 123 and consider 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 pack stated that the Council's recycling rate had dropped in the first quarter of this year from 59.78% to 58.41% compared to the same period last year.

The report pack stated that there were three key elements to the strategic focus to reinvigorate residents with the importance of recycling: focused communication, enforcement reinforced by robust education, and proactive incentivising of residents to increase their own recycling.

The report pack also included potential future recycling collections, including:

• Recycling and collection of nappies
• Recycling and collection of flexible plastics
• Recycling and collection of coffee pods

Variation of Tenancy Agreement

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of Housing and Health on the Variation of Tenancy Agreement following on from Cabinet approval on 1st April 2025 to commence statutory consultations with tenants under the Housing Act 1985 section 103 to vary the terms of our tenancy agreement this presents the results of the consultation and the final draft Tenancy Agreement for approval.

The report pack stated that a preliminary notice of variation had been sent to all secure and introductory tenants after approval by Cabinet on 1st April 2025.

The report pack stated that as of 1 August 2025, 214 responses had been received, and that a majority of tenants were happy with the new tenancy agreement and stated that it was easy to understand.

Mid Devon Housing (MDH) Mobility Scooter in Flats Policy

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of Housing and Health on the Mid Devon Housing (MDH) Mobility Scooter in Flats Policy setting out the conditions under which tenants and their visitors may use, store and charge mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs within Mid Devon Housing flats and communal areas.

The report pack stated that the policy sets clear rules regarding the use, storage, and charging of mobility scooters in flats and communal areas, including the requirement to obtain written permission from the Council before use or acquisition.

The report pack stated that tenants would not be granted permission to store or charge mobility scooters in flats above the ground floor, and that permission would also be refused where there was no safe storage arrangement in the tenant's home and no alternative safe storage and charging space could be provided.

Play Area Inspection Policy

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience on the Play Area Inspection Policy to review the Councils management of play area risk assessment and safety inspections.

The report pack stated that the Council has 78 play areas (including skate parks and BMX track) in its direct control, and that there was a legal requirement to carry out risk assessments on all play areas.

The report pack stated that play area sites with a score less than 30 have Operational inspections monthly, and those with a score of 30 or greater have more frequent Routine inspection.

Memorial Tree and Seat Policy

The Cabinet were scheduled to receive a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience on the Memorial Tree and Seat Policy to review a proposed Policy for Memorial Trees and seats on Council properties.

The report pack stated that the policy sets out what is generally currently followed on an ad hoc basis for the purpose of memorial trees and seats of clarity, equity and transparency.

The report pack stated that trees will only be provided where there is a need for a tree in-line with the Council's Tree Policy, and that no plaques or other marker will be permitted to accompany a tree.

Notification of Key Decisions

The Cabinet were scheduled to note the contents of the Forward Plan.