The South Hams Executive Forward Plan of South Hams and West Devon Council met on 25 September 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the council's financial strategy, budget monitoring, and various initiatives related to community development, climate change, and the environment. The Public Reports Pack contains the agenda and reports for the meeting. The Executive Leaders Forward Plan - October 2025 was also available.

Here's a summary of the topics that were scheduled for discussion:

Financial Strategy and Budget Monitoring

The council was scheduled to discuss its Medium Term Financial Strategy, with Councillor Simon Rake, Deputy Leader of the Council, and Lisa Buckle, the council's Section 151 Officer¹, leading the discussion. The Executive was also scheduled to review the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report and the Capital Programme Monitoring Report for Month 4 (end of July 2025), and Month 7 (end of October 2025) and Month 10 (end of January 2026). These reports, presented by Councillor Simon Rake, Lisa Buckle, and Pauline Henstock, the Deputy Section 151 Officer, would provide an overview of the council's financial performance against its budget.

A report was scheduled to be presented that sought to write off a number of debts that are deemed to be irrecoverable.

Climate Change and Biodiversity Initiatives

The council was scheduled to discuss several initiatives related to climate change and biodiversity. These included:

• Council Decarbonisation Update: A report was scheduled to be presented to update the Executive on the council's organisational decarbonisation and net-zero initiative. Councillor Nadine Dommett, Lead Executive Member for Community Development; Decarbonisation of Council Operations; and Arts & Culture, Drew Powell, and Adam Williams were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• South Hams Festival: Rally for Nature: The Executive was scheduled to receive an update on the South Hams Festival initiative, led by Councillor John McKay, Lead Executive Member for Climate Change & Biodiversity, Drew Powell, and Neil Hawke.

• National Landscapes Management Plan: The Executive was scheduled to consider the latest version of the draft National Landscape Management Plan for approval. Councillor John McKay, Chris Brook, and Roger English were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that seeks to adopt the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Councillor John McKay, Drew Powell, and Rob Sekula were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Tamar Valley National Landscapes Management Plan: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that seeks approval of the Tamar Valley National Landscapes Management Plan. Councillor John McKay, Chris Brook, and Rob Sekula were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• The Council's Biodiversity Report: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that sets out the council's response to its duties relating to Biodiversity Net Gain². Councillor John McKay, Drew Powell, and Rob Sekula were scheduled to lead the discussion.

  Community Development and Arts & Culture

The council was scheduled to discuss its Community Development Action Plan, with a report setting out the draft plan for consideration. Councillor Nadine Dommett, Drew Powell, and Susannah Hunter were scheduled to lead this discussion.

The Executive was also scheduled to discuss a draft Arts and Culture Strategy for adoption. Councillor Nadine Dommett, Drew Powell, and Neil Hawke were scheduled to lead the discussion.

Waste and Recycling

The Executive was scheduled to discuss the Waste & Recycling Implementation Plan, which presents a draft implementation plan for compliance with the Environment Act 2021³. Councillors Julian Brazil, Lead Executive Member for Waste & Recycling; Community Services & Operations; and Leisure, and Jacqi Hodgson, Lead Executive Member for Waste & Community Composting, Steve Mullineaux, and Stuart Noyce were scheduled to lead the discussion.

Other Matters

Other topics scheduled for discussion included:

• Consultation & Engagement Strategy: The Executive was scheduled to consider the concluding report of the Consultation & Engagement Strategy Task and Finish Group. Councillor Dan Thomas, Leader of the Council, Drew Powell, Neil Hawke, and Michelle Pierce were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Procurement Strategy: The Executive was scheduled to consider a concluding report from the Task and Finish Group that presents a draft Procurement Strategy for approval. Councillor John Birch, Lead Executive Member for Economic Development; Commercial Strategy; and Governance, Drew Powell, Neil Hawke, and Rosanna Wilson were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Council Tax Reduction Scheme: The Executive was scheduled to consider the annual report on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Councillor Nicky Hopwood, Lead Executive Member for Service Quality, Steve Mullineaux, and Geni Hotchkiss were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Private Sector Housing Update: The Executive was scheduled to receive an update on Private Sector Housing initiatives, including HUG (Home Upgrade Grant)⁴ and Warmer Homes – Local Grant. Councillor Denise O'Callaghan, Lead Executive Member for Housing; Environmental Health & Licensing, Chris Brook, and Ian Luscombe were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Car Parking Update: The Executive was scheduled to consider the six-month review of car parking and permits. Councillor Julian Brazil, Steve Mullineaux, and Stuart Noyce were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Investment in Community Sports Facilities: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that presents a series of recommendations related to investing in Community Sports Facilities. Councillor Julian Brazil, Chris Brook, and Jon Parkinson were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Validation Checklist: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that presents an updated Validation Checklist for approval. Councillor David Hancock, Lead Executive Member for Planning (Development Management) and Strategic Planning, Drew Powell, and Pat Whymer were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Freeport Update: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that presents the six-monthly update on the Freeport project. Councillor John Birch and Chris Brook were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Leisure Update: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that sets out an update on the Leisure Service. Councillor Julian Brazil, Chris Brook, and Lisa Buckle were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Integrated Performance Management Report: The Executive was scheduled to consider the Integrated Performance Management report for the period from 1 July to 31 October 2025. Councillor Dan Thomas, Drew Powell, and Neil Hawke were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Safeguarding Policy: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that presents the draft Safeguarding Policy for Member consideration. Councillor Denise O'Callaghan, Drew Powell, and Issy Blake were scheduled to lead the discussion.

• Alcohol Public Space Protection Orders: The Executive was scheduled to consider a report that seeks adoption of a series of Alcohol Public Space Protection Orders in the District. Councillor Denise O'Callaghan, Chris Brook, and Ian Luscombe were scheduled to lead the discussion.