Attendees:
Melanie Sealey (Chair), Keir Duffin, Chris Shears, Heather Hillman, Andrew Wood, Chris Fuller, Andrew Elliot, Chris Parsons, Alex Lessware, Jamie Hulland, Sean Kearney, Sarah Ratnage, Patrick Rafferty, Dan James, Jamie Evans, Dominie Dunbrook, Wendy Hancock (item 3), Debra Steele (Item 5), Hannah Dixon (Minutes)
Apologies:
Neil Blaney, Roger Clotworthy, Chris Brook, Ian Collinson, Adrian Welsh, Paul Britton, Liz Payne, Sarah Jane Mackenzie-Shapland, Sean Anstee, Alan Denby, Alison Hayward, Andrew Collier, Catherine Turner, Chris Bartlett, Claire Cushion, Dave Harwood, David Lang, Iain Masters, Jody James, Kevin Mills, Laura Jayne Haynes, Mathew Chetwynd, Mike Deaton, Tim Child
1. Minutes from the Previous Meeting
1.1 Minutes from the previous meeting agreed as an accurate record.
2. NPPF update – Sarah Ratnage
2.1 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – The consultation on proposed changes to the NPPF is open until 10 March.
2.2 Key points on the Government’s aims for the revised NPPF
- Inclusion of clearer decision-making policies within the document
- Currently non statutory, but with potential to become statutory in future; when non statutory, these policies will serve as material considerations in planning decisions
- A focus on making the NPPF easier to implement
- Greater consistency across its application
- Adoption of a more rules based framework
2.3 Summary of the 12 identified policy changes:
- Sustainable development – clarifying what is acceptable and encouraging viable development
- Transit oriented development – prioritising homes around stations and other sustainable locations
- Increasing densities – enabling a wider mix of housing types and site sizes
- Supporting economic growth
- Growth in the minerals sector
- A more vision led approach
- Changes to terminology – moving away from a focus on the word “severe” to encourage a more positive approach to enabling development
- Climate change – adopting a more proactive stance
- Natural environment – strengthening support for enabling development while protecting environmental assets
2.4 Feedback is being sought from other teams to understand how these changes could affect Devon.
2.5 The Spatial Development Strategy will sit with the CCA and will require wider involvement, establishing a high level strategic plan with local plans sitting beneath it. MHCLG is expected to make an announcement on the Spatial Development Strategy within the next three weeks.
2.6 District councils are submitting their responses to the consultation independently.
2.7 ACTION: Sarah to provide an update at the next meeting, as the consultation would have closed by then.
3. Devon and Torbay CCA update – Wendy Hancock
3.1 The £16m capital programme delivered through the devolution deal received 16 applications and another that was withdrawn part‑way through. All funding was required to be spent by 31 March 2025, and projects are now either completed or progressing well. Monitoring forms have/ will be issued and will be sent to all projects every six months.
3.2 In North Devon, the acquisition of two premises in Ilfracombe as part of the Healthy Homes schemes have completed and are progressing towards delivering accommodation. Two CLT schemes are also in progress to deliver 87 affordable homes.
3.3 Brampton Court has completed 14 units, with two further schemes progressing, which together will release 88 units.
3.4 Modular accommodation units for care leavers are fully established and ready for use.
3.5 Exeter has delivered 95 homes within the original timescales and plans to complete a further 50 homes over the next two years.
- Expansion projects at South Devon College, Exeter College and Apricot Centre continue to progress well, with learners actively engaged.
- Torridge – The project has been slightly revised from its original plan (upgrading the slipway) and will continue to be monitored.
- East Devon – Delivery of the Cranbox scheme is underway and progressing.
3.9 South Hams – The original project was deemed unviable; a project change request for a solar project at Follaton House has been approved.
3.10 Targets for business grants have been exceeded, with 69 grants awarded across various organisations. The Comms Manager will prepare case studies for selected projects.
3.11 The Comms and Engagement Manager is keen to capture project information to produce case studies and highlight positive outcomes. Monitoring forms, once received, will be shared with them for this purpose.
4. MHCLG update – Chris Parsons
4.1The finance settlements were published on 17 December 2025, with the consultation closing on 14 January 2026. Feedback from the consultation is expected to be published shortly. The final settlements reflect changes between the provisional figures released in August and the version issued on 17 December.
4.2 Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – Proposals were submitted in November, with follow up consultation anticipated in early February.
4.3 A six-month extension has been granted for the UKSPF and Rural Prosperity Fund spending period, following ongoing lobbying efforts. Concerns were raised about the limited usefulness of the funding extension, given that many projects are contracted to finish by March and therefore must still work to March completion dates. While the extension may support project wrap up and provide flexibility, it will not generate additional outputs.
Action: Mel to prepare a short summary explaining why the extension is not particularly beneficial, include the UKSPF project summary, and highlight the negative impact of additional, unnecessary monitoring requirements.
4.4 An additional £40m in funding is being made available to support and accelerate the preparation of local plans. Letters have been issued to local authorities outlining the resources available.
4.5 Fair Funding Reforms – When asked about upcoming methodological changes, Chris advised that no further publications are expected beyond what has already been released, though individual discussions with councils are ongoing.
Regarding local impact, initial indications suggest outcomes may be less favourable for rural areas than hoped.
4.6 With Cornwall progressing its own devolution deal, questions were raised about implications for Devon. The focus is on how Devon can advance within government timeframes and what a Strategic Settlement Agreement (SSA) could offer.
The anticipated pathway involves the CCA attaining SSA status once the Bill is enacted, with Plymouth identified as a valuable partner. Longer term, consideration will be needed on how two SSA’ s could transition into a Mayoral Combined Authority. Nonetheless, this presents an opportunity for Devon to move forward independently and not be constrained by Cornwall’s timetable.
5. UKSPF /REPF update – Debra Steele
5.1 Debra spoke to the attached presentation and explained that it has been very successful, succeeding expectations. It’s a worry that this programme is coming to an end and those who are most vulnerable are going to be affected the most.
5.2 The slides outline the individual outcomes for each District.
Future Meeting Dates:
Wednesday 15th April 2026
Wednesday 15th July 2026
Wednesday 21st October 2026