URL: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4643

Decision Maker: Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Committee considered a report by the PMO Manager (circulated previously) regarding the Programme Performance report for quarter 1 of 2026/27.   The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive highlighted the key elements of the high level update of the programmes delivering the current Corporate Plan priorities and performance measures for quarter 1 of 2026/27 as detailed in Appendix A.  Appendix B provided the latest update on process map reviews across services.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive advised the following:   KPI “B&B: Total number of households accommodated in leased / B&B Accommodation” - B&B accommodation was used for temporary accommodation.  Air B&Bs were not used. KPI “8b: Total number of properties registered as 2nd homes each quarter” – the number of properties registered as second homes had decreased as some houses had been turned back into domestic housing or changed to business rates if the property met the requirements of business rates and was let for a set number of nights. KPI “H&CS P:20 Ilfracombe Healthy Homes” – The Council are applying for grant funding from Homes England.  Council had previously approved an amendment to the capital programme of £1,259,000.  If there was a funding shortfall in the project, then the Council would borrow funds.  If there was no funding shortfall then this would benefit revenue as there would not be a requirement to borrow funds. KPI “KR 8: No. of residential properties (see 8a below) that have been classed as empty for more than 3 months on the Council Tax base” – the number of residential properties classed as being empty for more than 3 months had increased which had been partly as a result of houses on new developments not being sold.  The Committee requested that the Empty Homes Officer provide an update on the empty homes project, the reasons why the number of empty properties was continuing to increase and the work that was being carried out with housing developers. KPI “8a: Gross number of residential properties on the Council Tax base” – once a property was including on the Valuation list, then the owner of the property becomes liable for Council Tax.  Once a property had been completed and ready to be occupied, it would be included on the Valuation list.  Once the property was on the Valuation list, Council Tax would become payable immediately. The Valuation Office determines the Council Tax band for the property.  When a property became liable for Council Tax, the Council sometimes place the property on a temporary band which was based on similar properties in the area whilst it awaits the Valuation Office confirmation of banding. If the Valuation Office advised of a different banding for the property, then the Council Tax band would be amended accordingly.  The Committee requested that the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive ascertain the reasons as to why the Valuation Office had a backlog of valuing properties to be included on the Valuation list. KPI “H&CS P:16 Community Safety” – The inclusion of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in other towns and villages would require additional resources, funding and support from other partners to enforce.  If there were any concerns regarding the enforcement of the existing PSPOs, then these could be raised with the Community Safety Partnership and the Crime and Disorder Committee. KPI “EE P:2C Management of our non-built assets” – an item had been included on the agenda for the meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee on 14 September 2026 seeking approval to purchase land for a new community woodland in Ilfracombe. This would be funded by 50% from National Landscapes and 50% from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.  Following approval by the Committee, the land would be acquired by the end of September 2026. Process mapping – some process mapping had not yet been started due to waiting for other process mapping to be completed beforehand and the capacity of officers to carry out all process mapping. Process map “EH&H P:03 18+ Young Person DCC Transition” – that an update be sought from the Head of PMO and Environmental Health and Housing regarding a start date for the 18+ Young Person.   RESOLVED that the recommendations be endorsed and recommended to the Strategy and Resources Committee for approval.

Date of Decision: September 3, 2026