Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Committee’s new Non-Elected Member Mr David Walden.

Confirmation of the minutes of the meeting held on the 2^nd December 2025.

Members reviewed the minutes from the meeting held on the 2^nd December 2025.

In response to a query, the Chair advised Members that Donna Sibley (Sustainability and Climate Officer) would be attending the April Committee meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor C Hodson, seconded by Councillor D Smith  and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 2^nd December 2025 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For – 10, Against – 0, Abstentions – 1).

The Committee discussed and updated the Action List.

A 15-minute period for public contributions.  (The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm Friday 6^th January 2026. To register please email dem.services@torridge.gov.uk).

There were no public contributions.

Members with interests should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is considered.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

No urgent matters were brought forward.

There were no Part II items.

(A) To receive a report from the Finance Manager (S151 Officer).

(B) To consider the recommendations of the Community and Resources Committee as per the report on the Agenda from the 2^nd February 2026.

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) presented the item, the purpose of which was for Members to consider, formulate and recommend the Budget to Full Council.

The presentation included information on:

-          Challenges – Fair Funding Review, Local Government Reorganisation

-          The Starting Position

-          Budget 2025/26 - Budget Overview - Income Sources (Four Main Revenue Streams)

-          Budget 2026/27 - The Balanced Picture - Balancing the Budget

-          Net Revenue Budget

-          Fair Funding Review – Impact, Mechanism

-          Council Tax –Your Council Tax bill, Context Matters, Support, Significance

-          Business Rate Retention

-          Government Grants

-          Expenditure

-          Budget Gap - The Growing Gap

-          Budget Stabilisation Reserve - Our Savings Account (Reserve)

-          MTFS Movement

-          Local Government Reorganisation

-          Assumptions

-          Risk and Sensitivity - Key Risks

-          Looking Forward

-          Bridging the Gap - The Balanced approach

-          The Road Ahead - What success looks like

-          Robustness of the Budget

-          Recommendations

Members were informed that due to the Fair Funding Review there will be a funding gap of £1.4m as opposed to the £1m written in the report, that the Member Budget Working Group are tasked with identifying.

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) was thanked for the comprehensive presentation.

A discussion occurred, and queries were raised regarding the reserves. Members noted that there is not a statutory sum required in reserves when the authority is handed over during the Local Government Reorganisation process. The Chief Executive advised Members to note that additional costs will arise throughout the reorganisation process.

The Committee questioned interest rates and the Finance Manager (S151 Officer) explained that the Council forecast what they expect the interest rate to be on reserves.

Concerns were raised over the challenge for the Member Budget Working Group to locate the additional £1.4m. The Chair addressed the difficulty of this, and the Chief Executive outlined that Councillor K James was unable to comment on this at the meeting due to being a Member of the Community and Resources Committee. Members identified the challenge of generating new income, and the Chief Executive outlined that many Devon District Councils across the country are in the same position, and the Government had previously indicated to exhaust reserves.

Briefly, Members discussed the guiding principles for the Member Budget Working Group, and the Finance Manager (S151 Officer) outlined that the group regularly receives advice.

The Committee questioned the minimum level of reserve and the Finance Manager (S151 Officer) suggested that there is not a minimum. Concerns were raised over the transferal of reserves during the reorganisation process, and the Chief Executive advised that the successful authority will still be providing the same services to our residents.

Members discussed the possibility of introducing efficiencies to balance the books, and the Finance Manager (S151 Officer) explained that this would be for the Member Budget Working Group to consider. The Chief Executive outlined that many efficiencies have already been introduced as part of previous funding reductions.

In response to a query, the Chief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 443.

To receive a report from the Finance Manager (S151 Officer).

The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) presented the item, the purpose of which was for Members to consider, formulate and recommend updates to the Capital Programme 2026/27 to Full Council.

The presentation included information on:

-          The Capital Programme

-          New Projects (PIDs)

-          Updated Programme

-          Vehicle Programme

-          Future Pressures

-          Recommendations

A discussion occurred. Members queried the diesel generator at Riverbank House, and questioned the possibility of greener alternatives. The Finance Manager (S151 Officer) explained that they were unaware of the details, but understood that the diesel generator would only be used during emergencies. The Head of Communities and Place explained that the diesel generator enhances resilience, but additional information could be circulated to  Members. 

The Committee discussed the Appledore fish dock and the TDC Energy Savings work. The Chair outlined that the Council must continue services as usual, irrespective of what the new authority may look like. The Chief Executive explained that assets should be maintained so to ensure their continuity following the handover to the new authority.

Members discussed the ice machine at the Appledore fish dock, and the Head of Communities and Place detailed the users of the ice machine. The Head of Communities and Place outlined the need to improve processes and management.

The discussion moved onto the topic of OSCAR, and the disposal of the former sites (Westcombe and Piper’s Yard). The Head of Communities and Place explained that monies for these sites are already accounted for. Members noted that the Council will retain the depot at Torrington for now.

The Chair raised concerns over the future pressures on the Council’s linear defence. The Chief Executive explained that the Council’s coastal engineer is actively working with the Environment Agency regarding this, and has just secured some additional funding for this. Members noted that further information would be sought.

Briefly, Members discussed the investment for the building control back office system. The Chief Executive explained that the new contract length should be proportionate to the timeframe of Local Government Reorganisation. 

Members requested an update on Playzones. The Head of Communities and Place detailed the funding, and Members noted that the completion date was uncertain. The Chair requested an update on Playzone development at a future meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor C Bright, seconded by Councillor S Harding, and - 

Resolved:

That the following recommendations be approved, and recommended to Full

Council:

a) The Capital Programme is updated to include four new projects:

• Generator for Server Room - £33k

• Appledore Fish dock Energy Saving Works - £140k

• TDC Energy Saving Works - £200k

• Building Control – New Back-office System – Dataspace - £77k

b) Increase the vehicle programme by an additional £2k per light van to support the transition to electric vehicles.

(Vote: For – 9, Against – 2, Abstentions - 0).

Following the vote, the Committee questioned if the recommendations could be voted on individually, and the Chief Executive explained that this would not be possible as the vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 444.

To review the Forward Plan.

The Committee discussed and updated the Forward Plan.

Members noted that Donna Sibley would be attending the April Committee meeting.

The Chair advised that a call in regarding the decision made at the Community and Resources Committee meeting relating to HVO fuel will be brought to the March Committee meeting.

Overall, Members noted the Forward Plan.

The Chairman to move:-

That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was proposed by , seconded by and -

Resolved:

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

(Vote: )