Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor L Taylor.

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public.

Barry Warren

My questions relate to item 5 on the agenda and in particular comments from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer) in his report at Paragraph 2.4 – the first bullet point where it states:

Pressure, REF 17, reduced maintenance costs through the transfer of assets or increased financial contributions from Town or Parish Councils – looking unlikely this will be achieved given the limited conversations – moving the £50k pressure from Amber to Green. However, conversations continue with several Town and Parish Councils on the potential transfer of assets or increased financial contributions. 

This last sentence is a problem for me and our Parish Council.

At the end of last year, our Clerk wrote to the Deputy Chief Executive with an enquiry about the Parish taking over complete ownership of two of the main sites located in Willand. But no response, not even an acknowledgement, was forthcoming from the Deputy Chief Executive - even after the Clerk sent him a reminder.

Our Parish Council lease six of the nine Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) play/open space areas within the village. Historically we would have taken over ownership of them, but officers would only agree 25-year leases. They are maintained more frequently and better than the MDDC areas. Over the past 12 months the Parish has spent about £35,800 + VAT on these areas which have been a saving to MDDC.

It is very disappointing to see the generalised, almost critical comments, of the Deputy Chief Executive when our Parish has done as much as we have, at some cost to our Parish, without much recognition.

Question 1:

Is it recognised that Willand Parish Council has been positive in their response?

Question 2:

What are the alleged conversations which have taken place with our Parish?

Question 3:

Is MDDC going to engage with the Parish Council in relation to the latest approach?

Question 4:

Alternatively does this lack of response indicate that the Parish Council should consider a hand back of the leases?  

Question 5:

Under REF 17 is there an error in moving from Amber to Green?  Should this be Amber to Red or removed completely?

The Deputy Leader stated that Mr Warren would receive a written response to his questions in 10 working days. 

Paul Elstone

Question 1:

The Phoenix Lane multi story car park is in a prime location, having very close access to shops and other facilities not least public transport.

Several Local Authorities have or are currently progressing cost-effective conversions of redundant multi story car park space into accommodation units.

Has this Council commissioned a fully independent technical and cost feasibility study in respect of making use of the redundant upper levels for the purpose of providing either a Category 1 or 2 MMC social housing development?

Question 2:

If a feasibility study has been done, will you make it available for public examination?

Question 3:

Failure to investigate this option would indicate that social housing in Mid Devon is not the high priority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

Members were reminded of the need to make declarations of interest where appropriate.

Cllr J Downes referred to item 7 and confirmed that he was a patient of the Crediton General Practice (GP) Surgery.

Councillors J Downes, M Fletcher and J Wright referred to item 11 and confirmed that they held memberships for Active Mid Devon.

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 2 December 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 December 2025 were APPROVED as a correct record and SIGNED by the Deputy Leader.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 December 2025 were APPROVED as a correct record and SIGNED by the Deputy Leader.

To receive an update from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) Officer on the Budget update 2026/27.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) on providing a further update on the progress towards balancing the budget for 2026/27 and future years.

RESOLVED that:

1. The updated General Fund budgetary position included within Section 2 was NOTED.
2. The headline update from the recently announced Local Government Finance Settlement within Section 3, and that work continues to understand the implications for the Council be NOTED.
3. The updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budgetary position included within Section 5 was NOTED, and the specific savings proposals contained within paragraph 5.4 were AGREED.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) on providing a further update on the progress towards balancing the budget for 2026/27 and future years.

The Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Risk outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

·         The report gave the latest position on the 2026/27 budget.  By way of a reminder, at the outset the Council had set out three possible scenarios for the budget, depending on what would happen to funding nationally.

·         Through the Policy Statement issued by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) (in full), the Council had confirmation that the worst-case scenario was not happening; the growth achieved in business rates over the last dozen years had been retained within the Councils funding settlement.

·         To balance the budget for 2026/27, budget options were identified using a RAG (Red/Amber/Green) traffic light system.  In October the Green budget options were agreed but these added up to a new additional pressure of nearly £1m, almost doubling the Councils forecasted shortfall.

·         Several Amber budget options were considered and would be brought into the budget if necessary, following the settlement. In many instances, these had now crystallised, for example, greater clarity was available on maintenance costs, projected fuel costs, business rates on the Councils properties etc. In addition, the indicative Extended Producer Responsibility Funding had increased, and the outcome of the Tri-Annual Pension Review had been confirmed, which had resulted in a reduction in contribution rate. These items brought the remaining shortfall back to broadly £1m (c6% of £15m base budget), in line with the initial projection.

·         The last fundamental part of the process was then to bring in the outcomes of the funding settlement, announced on 17 December 2025. This work was to continue and would be included in the next report to Cabinet in February 2026, although the headlines were included within Appendix 1.

·         The report also provided an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget position for 2026/27. Again, several items had crystallised, and the budget position became clearer. As listed within the report, there were some additional costs that needed to be offset, and how this could be achieved was also outlined. This left a small shortfall to be addressed. This could be offset if the Government approved the rent convergence which was yet to be announced.

RESOLVED that:

1. The updated General Fund budgetary position included within Section 2 was NOTED.
2. The headline update from the recently announced Local Government Finance Settlement within Section 3, and that work continues to understand the implications for the Council be NOTED.
3. The updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budgetary position included within Section 5 was NOTED, and the specific savings proposals contained within paragraph 5.4 were AGREED.

(Proposed by Cllr J Downes and seconded by Cllr J Lock)

Reason for decision:

By undertaking regular reviews of the MTFP the Council could ensure that its Corporate Plan priorities were affordable. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

To receive a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience on the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project.  

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) to consider the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project as outlined within Option 3 be APPROVED.
2. That delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Risk - in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive s151 and the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience - to deliver the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) to consider the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Risk outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System would achieve:

Ø  Leadership and engagement- a demonstration of green investment. Payback was expected within 10 years.

Ø  Carbon savings - up to 215 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) annually.

Ø  Energy cost savings and avoidance of cost volatility. By year 5 the Council expect to save around £67,500 in electricity costs.

Ø  Resilience- improved self-sufficiency. Solar power would supply the majority of Phoenix House power needs.

• Currently solar panels provided 10%-12% of Phoenix House electricity each year.  
• By storing surplus power in a smart battery system, the Council would achieve best value and use it on site. 
• The project would add value to this asset, as the top levels of the multi-storey car park were unused.
• Protection of the roof was vital. The Council would install security barriers to prevent access. The barriers were already justified to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and safety issues on site.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change highlighted the following:

• The proposal was considered valuable in helping Mid Devon meet its net?zero targets. Significant effort had already been invested in achieving net zero through actions within the Council’s control, both corporately and across the community. This proposal represented an action fully within the Council’s gift as a corporate contribution to net zero.
• She had been very supportive of the proposal and believed the public would be supportive, given the need to install renewable energy infrastructure on existing assets for example, on new housing, which central government had been considering making mandatory. It was seen as entirely appropriate to maximise the use of existing infrastructure, including Council buildings, to generate renewable electricity.
• The public had wanted to see the Council take this action, and the proximity of electricity users strengthened the proposal’s appropriateness. As with much of the Councils wider activity, it demonstrated the right course of action in response to the climate crisis.
• It was also noted that the Council had been doing a great deal to support social housing, including delivering net?zero homes. This meant the Council had been acting both to supply social housing and to contribute to net zero through that work.

Discussion took place with regards to:

• The proposal was not just about generating energy but about whole?life carbon, safety, asset management and effective use of the estate. Most of the electricity had come from the grid, with green contracts providing only limited direct generation. Producing renewable energy at the point of use would have reduced carbon impact, eased pressure on the local network, and improved resilience and price stability.
• It was noted as one of the few direct actions available to the Council to deliver its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

To receive a report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) Officer on the Crediton GP Surgery additional Loan.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) to consider an additional long-term loan to the Redlands Primary Care in Crediton. 

RESOLVED that:

1. Delegated authority be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) to top-up c£70k of the original loan taking the outstanding balance back to the original £2.175m.
2. An additional loan to the GP Practice of £150k be APPROVED.
3. Both loans are repaid by June 2048 on an annuity basis at a commercially fixed interest rate, subject to the completion of legal due diligence and documentation be APPROVED.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) considering an additional long-term loan to the Redlands Primary Care in Crediton. 

The Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The report set out plans to make an additional loan to the Redlands General Practice (GP) in Crediton.  This was split into two parts, one relending the amount the surgery had repaid to date out of the original loan, c£70k. The second element was an increase to the overall loan balance of £150k, taking the total to £2.325m.
• The original loan of £2.175m was lent for the development of a new GP surgery in partnership with the practice and the National Health Service (NHS) back in 2021. An additional loan, again topping back up the balance repaid, was lent in June 2024 to support the build of a new pharmacy at the site.  The latest loan was to help the surgery as the costs of the pharmacy were higher than expected.
• These were commercial loans attracting an interest rate higher than the Council could attract with normal temporary investments. The Council had security of first call against the pharmacy but was ultimately backed by NHS funding. The terms and conditions would be very similar to those applied to the first loan, with external legal support drafting the loan agreement.
• The support given to the local community through both the surgery and pharmacy was considerable, therefore the Council believed it was appropriate to help in this situation.  

The Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Risk provided Members with information in regard to the background, noting involvement in the original loan and participation in the Patient Participation Group. The merge of the two Crediton surgeries had led to senior partners retiring, leaving the remaining partners with legacy debt. The practice had sought to consolidate this debt and move to a modern model where new GPs could join without having to buy into the partnership financially. This approach aimed to stabilise finances, attract more GPs, and support the co?located pharmacy, enabling the practice to operate as a single, strengthened service for Crediton.

Discussion took place with regards to:

• Was the original loan fully supported by the NHS, which protected the Council interest at the time and was this the case for the additional loan. It was confirmed that it was.
• It was highlighted that the report was not presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Risk as the report was clear that it was a Treasury Management matter.
• Why were the interest rates being withheld from Members under the banner of commercial sensitivity. It was explained that the matter had been commercially sensitive as the loan had been made to an external commercial body rather than a bank or similar institution and this had justified the need for confidentiality.
• What was the interest earned to date on the existing loan arrangement?   and had that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

To receive a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience and the Climate and Sustainability Specialist on the Green Enterprise Grants help Mid Devon businesses to invest towards making their operations more sustainable through energy and resource efficiency.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience and Climate and Sustainability Specialist proposing to continue and improve the current scheme, to build on the success whilst learning from experience thus far.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The Green Enterprise Grant scheme to continue to run for a new phase April 2026 to December 2028 inclusive be APPROVED.

2.     That delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience, to deliver the Green Enterprise Grant scheme.

3.     An interim performance review report after the 2026- 2027 financial year and a final review report when the scheme ends be presented to Cabinet.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience and Climate and Sustainability Specialist proposing to continue and improve the current scheme, to build on the success whilst learning from experience thus far.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The proposal for Cabinet was to continue to run the Green Enterprise Grants scheme until December 2028.
• The following changes had been made:

Ø  A target annual budget of £20k seemed realistic (£30k was allocated).

Ø  To enable more bids – to allow applicants more time to develop a project and plan ahead.

Ø  Community benefit - to make it easier for community halls (village halls, parish halls and church halls) to apply for funding.

Ø  To sharpen the focus on enabling transition to a greener economy (favour low carbon tech).

• The scheme was modest in scale and performed well:

Ø  Dealing with 20% more enquiries in 2025, the Economic Development Team had excelled on administering the scheme.

Ø  The Decision Panel approved five grants in 2025, over £17k total, expecting to save nine tonnes of emissions.

Ø  Bids were subject to robust agreements and due diligence checks.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Green Enterprise Grant scheme to continue to run for a new phase April 2026 to December 2028 inclusive be APPROVED.
2. That delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience, to deliver the Green Enterprise Grant Scheme.
3. An interim performance review report after the 2026- 2027 financial year and a final review report when the scheme ends to be presented to Cabinet.

(Proposed by Cllr N Bradshaw and seconded by Cllr G DuChesne)

Reason for decision:

The grants would be funded by existing approved budgets. External funding would also be sought, in order to support or extend the grant scheme.

Note: *Report previously circulated

To receive a report from the Strategic Manager of Growth, Economy and Delivery on the Northen Devon Railway Development Alliances.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Strategic Manager Growth, Economy and Delivery introducing the work of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) to develop a strategic outline business case for significant capital investment in the North Devon Line between Exeter and Barnstaple.

RESOLVED that:

1.     That Mid Devon District Council supports the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) by officially joining the alliance to achieve delivery of a modernisation programme for the North Devon (Tarka) Line passenger rail services between Exeter and Barnstaple, to achieve the associated economic, social and environmental benefits for our local communities and businesses.

2.     A financial contribution of £1,000 to support the third annual convention of the NDRDA scheduled for March 2026 at a location in Mid Devon be APPROVED.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Strategic Manager Growth, Economy and Delivery introducing the work of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) to develop a strategic outline business case for significant capital investment in the North Devon Line between Exeter and Barnstaple.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The report was received and supported by the Planning, Environment and Sustainable Policy Development Group. 
• Proposals for investment into North Devon (Tarka) Line had been brought about by unprecedent change and growth in passenger demand which in 2025 amounted to one million passenger journeys between Barnstaple and Exeter.  At the turn of the millennium passenger numbers were 200,000 per annum.  The graph showed that passenger numbers doubled over the next 10-years to 400,000 in 2009/10, with moderate growth until the pandemic period, and then rapid annual growth to 850,00 in 2024/25. 
• To the nearest hundred, a record 917,400 journeys were undertaken on the line last year,8.3% up on 2024 and 37.5% up on the pre-pandemic in 2019, and before the opening of the New Dartmoor Line.  Passenger numbers on the Okehampton journey were now approaching 0.5 million.  Between these two lines 1.5 million passengers moved through Crediton.  The North Devon Line had the fastest growth on the GWR network.
• The downside was that increased demand was not being satisfied by capacity because there were insufficient seats at peak commuter travel times.  The Grand Western Railway (GWR) were responding with plans to introduce larger Class 175’s carriages later this year.
• However, this was a short-term measure to cope with the immediate lack of capacity issues, where passengers were being left behind and greater reliance needed to be built into the line.
• The report introduced to the Council the work of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA), its goals, and the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for modernising the North Devon (Tarka) Line between Exeter and Barnstaple.
• The report highlighted the development of the SOBC, including objectives such as increasing capacity, reducing journey times, enhancing green travel, improving reliability, and supporting economic growth. Publication of the SOBC was expected within the next month. ?
• The business case objective included the increased capacity and doubled hourly frequency to two trains per hour; reduced Exeter- Barnstaple journey times from 75 minutes down to 60 minutes; enhanced green travel and journey time competitiveness with roads; boosted line reliability, resilience and reduced disruption; supported economy, jobs, tourism, housing and unlocked development; improved active travel and connectivity corridors of the Taw Torridge Estuary, Okehampton, Exeter city region, Cullompton, Tiverton, Exmouth, Newton Abbott and beyond.

Discussion took place with regard to:

• Whether there had been any indication of when either project (the re signalling work or the extension of the passing) would be completed, noting that both would have required signalling renewal? It was explained that this would be outlined in the Strategic Outline Business Case.
• The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

To receive a report from the Director of Legal, People and Governance (Monitoring Officer) providing an update to Cabinet Members on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Director of Legal, People and Governance (Monitoring Offer) providing an update to Cabinet Members on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).

RESOLVED that:

a)    The Council’s policy for ensuring compliance with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) was appropriate and shall remain as currently drafted;

b)    That the Council had not used its powers under RIPA since March 2014 be NOTED.

As recommended by the Community, People and Equality PDG.

Note: * Report previously circulated.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Director of Legal, People and Governance (Monitoring Offer) providing an update to Cabinet Members on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).

The Cabinet Member for Quality of Living, Equalities and Public Health outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) was one such law that permitted interference – it detailed ways in which public bodies could lawfully carry out investigations when there was a wish to use surveillance techniques. It enabled:

Ø  Directed surveillance (covert surveillance of individuals outside of residential premises and vehicles);

Ø  Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) (such as the deployment of undercover officers); and

Ø  The acquisition and disclosure of communications data (such as telephone billing information or subscriber details).

• The powers were only ever used if the Council had 1- obtained approval from the Magistrate's Court, and 2- that it was only for offences where the sentence would attract six months or more or related to the underage sale of alcohol or tobacco.
• In August 2024, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) conducted its three-year review/inspection of the Council. The inspector appointed by the IPCO conducted a “remote” inspection. This was reported to the Community, People and Equalities PDG in December 2024, where it had recommended no amendments to the policy.
• On 24 February 2025, the Council arranged RIPA training for officers, and in particular for front-line practitioners. The training was provided by an experienced external trainer in RIPA and was well attended. The training included social media surveillance, and this has been cascaded down to their teams. Training was appropriate to avoid inadvertently carrying out directed or other form of covert surveillance in breach of the procedures in place.
• The powers available to the Council had not been used since 2014.
• Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO), who were the Council auditors required this policy to be presented annually.

Discussion took place with regards to:

• Whether parking enforcement officers used body cameras, whether this counted as direct surveillance and fell within these powers? It was explained that the parking enforcement formed part of the Council’s CCTV arrangements, which included body?worn cameras and was covered by the existing CCTV policy.
• Direct surveillance required targeted monitoring of specific individuals that were carrying out their normal duties. For that reason, RIPA powers had not been used.
• The RIPA training for officers was electronic and not training in covert surveillance. It was confirmed that no officers had been training in covert surveillance.
• As the powers of RIPA had not been used since 2014 and given the recent training that had taken place, would there be regular training for officers even though the powers had not been used. It was explained that regular training had been a requirement. Much of the training had focused on ensuring officers understood the correct procedures, with the first step always involving liaison with Legal Services to ensure compliance.

RESOLVED  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

To receive a report from the Head of Revenues, Benefits & Leisure presenting proposals to change the Leisure fees and charges from 1^st April 2026.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting the proposal on the Leisure Pricing Strategy.

RESOLVED that:

a)    A freeze on membership prices for the forthcoming year to support affordability and encourage sustained participation, while increasing pay as you go tariffs in line with inflation and market rates be APPROVED. The charges proposed were in section 3.10 of this report.

This report had previously been NOTED by the Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement PDG

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting the proposal on the Leisure Pricing Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

·         Active Mid Devon’s Leisure Pricing Strategy for 2026 focused on protecting accessibility, affordability, and community engagement. The proposal recommended a freeze of all membership fees for 2026/27, ensuring that Leisure Services remained inclusive and cost-effective for residents. This decision reflected the Council’s commitment to supporting participation during a period of economic pressure.

·         A modest 3% increase to pay-as-you-go fees was proposed to offset inflation, carefully balanced to avoid discouraging casual users. By holding membership prices steady, Leisure Services reinforced their position as a trusted, community focused provider and ensured that price did not become a barrier to participation.

·         Retention was central to Leisure’s growth strategy. The service was already working hard to keep members for longer periods of time, targeting an increase in average length of stay and reducing attrition through improved engagement and streamlined customer support. These efforts would deliver measurable financial benefits without relying on price increases, while strengthening their reputation for value and service quality.

·         This approach balanced financial sustainability with social responsibility, safeguarding participation levels and ensuring Active Mid Devon continued to play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing across the district. Approving this strategy was not just a pricing decision—it was an investment in the health and wellbeing of Mid Devons community for the year ahead.

·         It was confirmed that in section 3.5 concessionary discounts should read as ‘We are pleased to confirm that we will continue offering concessionary discounts to make our services more accessible for individuals on lower incomes. This includes 25% off memberships and 20% off pay as you go sessions, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and benefit from what we provide. Our aim is to keep our facilities and activities open to as many people as possible, supporting affordability and inclusivity within our community.’

·         It was confirmed that the table in section 3.10 was correct and rounded up to the nearest 5 and 10 pence, which was the formula that the Council had used for some time and column four was also correct as the 20% had been applied.

Discussion took place with regards to:

·         Clarification was provided around the unpaid pilot for Devon Carers and when this would be embedded in a Council Policy. It was confirmed that leaving care was not a pilot, however for those within Devon with caring responsibilities, it was currently being piloted. It was noted that Members had already agreed support for care leavers and had previously approved a pilot scheme, which had run for 18 months. The evaluation report for that pilot scheme had not yet been received.  Once presented, Cabinet Members would consider the findings and decide whether to extend the scheme permanently. The pilot scheme had been due to end in May 2026, and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

Discussion with regard to item the next item, will require Cabinet to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 12 12.02(d) (a presumption in favour of openness) of the Constitution. This decision will be required because consideration of this matter in public may disclose information falling within one of the descriptions of exempt information in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The Cabinet need to decide whether, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption, outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Recommended that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information.

It was RESOLVED that the meeting remain in Part 1.

The Deputy Leader indicated that discussion with regard to the following item, may require the Cabinet to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 12 12.02 (d) (a presumption in favour of openness) of the Constitution. This decision was required because consideration of this matter in public would disclose information falling within one of the descriptions of exempt information in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Having reflected on this, the Cabinet RESOLVED that the meeting remain in Part 1 

To receive a report from the Leisure Services Manager on the proposal to convert existing tennis courts at Active Tiverton and Active Crediton into padel and pickleball facilities, working in partnership with a third-party operator under a lease.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) on the Padel Business Case.

RESOLVED that Cabinet APPROVED:

1. All three tennis courts at Active Tiverton be converted to Padel courts.
2. One tennis court at Active Crediton be converted to one Padel court and one Pickleball court.
3. The relocation of the tennis courts to Amory Park.
4. To finalise any due diligence/obtaining of references deemed necessary before the legal agreement was finalised.
5. That Delegated Authority be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) officer and Director of Legal, People and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to sign and approve the legal agreement.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) on the infrastructure list inviting Cabinet to approve the updated Infrastructure List for publication on the Council’s website as part of the Statutory Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement.

The Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The Council had an opportunity to transform their leisure offer by introducing one of the fastest growing sports in Europe - Padel alongside Pickleball. This proposal converted underused tennis courts at Active Tiverton and Active Crediton into modern, inclusive facilities, while relocating and improving tennis provision at Amory Park.
• The project would rejuvenate disused land, create a vibrant multi-sport hub, and deliver significant social and financial benefits.
• Padel was a sociable, accessible sport attracting players of all ages and abilities. Its rapid growth in the UK and global popularity make it a compelling addition to the health and wellbeing offer, encouraging active lifestyles and community engagement. By partnering with a third party operator under a full repairing and insuring lease, the Council would secure guaranteed income, avoiding resurfacing costs, and reducing reliance on subsidy which supported long-term financial sustainability.
• Amory Park’s regeneration would breathe life into an under-utilised site, creating a high-quality tennis facility and unlocking potential for additional revenue streams. This investment aligned with the Corporate Plan objectives of promoting innovation, improving community wellbeing, and maximising returns from Council assets. It also mitigated risks associated with maintaining low-use tennis courts, while positioning Mid Devon as a leader in modern leisure provision.
• The Council had held constructive and positive discussions with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and representatives from the two local tennis clubs regarding this proposal. Both parties had expressed support for the project, recognising the potential to broaden participation and enhance the overall offer for racquet sports in the area.  The Leisure Service would work closely with them to ensure the best outcome for all.
• This proposal delivered a win-win situation: a broader, more inclusive sporting offer, revitalised public spaces, and a stronger financial footing for the Council’s Leisure Service.

Discussion took place with regards to:

• Whether there had been any reputational risks if the operator’s performance had fallen below expectations. It was explained that there had always been some risk when working with a third party operator. However, officers reported that a strong working relationship had been established and that due diligence had been carried out.
• The project had not been presented the Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement Policy Development Group before reaching Cabinet. Given its scale, capital implications, long?term disposal and lease arrangements the Chair of the Group expressed his disappointment It was explained that the report had been brought directly to Cabinet due to time pressures.
• Clarification of whether £300,000 in capital investment for Amory Park had been included in the approved budget. It confirmed that the 2026/27 draft budget had included a capital sum for the Amory Park project and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

To note the contents of the Forward Plan.

The Cabinet had before it, and NOTED, the Notification of Key Decisions.

Note: * Key Decisions Report previously circulated.

The Clerk identified the changes that had been made to the list since it was published with the agenda.

This included the following:

• Modernisation Contract 2026-2030 had been added to the meeting on 1 February 2026.

·       Draft Vision and Spatial Options had been removed from the forward plan for March 2026 awaiting regulations for the preparation of local plans in a reformed plan making system.

Note: * Key Decisions Report previously circulated.