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APM – Annual report of WDBC

The Hub Committee currently consists of nine Councillors. Each has responsibility for a particular area of the Council’s work as follows

 • Leader of the Council – Cllr Mandy Ewings

 • Deputy Leader of the Council, with specific responsibility for Housing – Cllr Mark Renders

 • Lead Hub Member for Customer Experience, Accessible Services and Waste & Recycling – Cllr Jeff Moody

• Lead Hub Member for Economy & Jobs – Cllr Neil Jory

• Lead Hub Member for Climate & Biodiversity – Cllr Chris West

• Lead Hub Member for Health & Community Wellbeing – Cllr Jane Elliott

• Lead Hub Member for Planning & Built Environment – Cllr Caroline Mott

• Lead Hub Member for Neighbourhood Services – Cllr Adam Bridgewater

 • Lead Hub Member for Performance & Resources – Cllr Chris

97% of the aims in 2024 of the Council Plan  have been achieved, of the 3% not achieved these will be completed in the 2025 plan.

Proposals for 2025 year 2 delivery of the council plan include

  • Economy and Jobs – Delivering UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in the 2025/26 Financial Year. WDBC have used this grant to set up support for framers to decarbonise the businesses and to provide advice for regenerative farming. There are 20 farms in West Devon that are included in the regenerative farm scheme. Grants are available to cover half the cost of decarbonisation for farmer from West Devon BC. A local walking and cycling infrastructure plan is now in place.
  • Natural Environment – TAMAR Energy consortium have been engaged by WDBC to provide advice and evaluation to reduce energy costs. The Council’s draft Procurement Strategy aims to decarbonise the procurement process of WDBC. The aim is to increase the natural regeneration areas across WD. We assisted businesses, community centres and private homes  to decarbonise using the UKSPF.
  • Housing – Affordable Housing, Wonnacotts Road, Okehampton. This project will be coming forward for councillors’ scrutiny later in 2025.  The Council has a crucial role in improving and maintaining the condition of private sector housing and has a team dedicated to this. It is a priority for West Devon Borough Council to deliver improved accommodation standards in the Borough in terms of both quality and sustainability. HUGS homes upgrade grants to private tenants in older energy inefficient homes. WD have assisted with 41 properties, complex work and often takes much longer to complete that envisioned.
  • Neighbourhood Services- The councillors  will receive and consider the results of the Tavistock Neighbourhood Plan Referendum being held on 1 May 2025. Which is due to be this week on 1stMay.
  • Performance and Resources –  Councillors will  scrutinise a draft set of Revenue and Capital  Budget proposals for 2026/27. We have an income deficit to manage and make decision to alleviate.
  • Community and Wellbeing – Councillors will look at the options for the 2 Leisure centres in West Devon and receive regular updates from the management company. WE
  • Built Environment and Heritage –  councillors will continue to work closely with Plymouth and South Hams to deliver the JLP and the undertake a 5 year review later this year.
  • Customer Experience – The use of AI has been discussed at council and we will be considering options. We am to proactively and continuously improve the Council communication channels – develop a clear commitment to our customers, setting out what they can expect and what we expect of them in working with the Council: this action has begun but has been delayed. It will be  a priority in this year.

Restructuring Process

As you will be aware the government has asked local councils to provide details of how they plan to restructure under the Devolution Programme. Devon was not chosen as a Fastrack area so elections are going ahead. much discussion is continuing about what form devolution could or should take in Devon. DCC have put forward 9 different options for restructuring Devon councils to Government so a decision will not be made soon.

I do want to say that with the 2nd tier councils being amalgamated into a larger format it is likely that much more responsibility for locality services will fall to town and parish councils and thought needs to be  given to how this can be managed efficiently to provide local residents with continuity and hopefully improved services.

Cllr. Lynn Daniel 2024/25