South Hams Annual Report 2017 - 2018 www.southhams.gov.uk South Hams District Council Commitment Introduction to Joint Local Plan The 2017/18 financial year has undoubtedly been a challenging year with the main central government funding for local councils coming to an end on 1st April 2018. We have however, continued to work in partnership with West £3.9m Devon Borough Council which has allowed annual saving South Hams District Council to achieve annual savings of £3.9 million and more importantly protect all front line services. No During the year we have been unrelenting in Affordable housing seeking and attempting to deliver efficiencies and continues to be services to improving services. We have done this by adopting of great concern innovative IT solutions and these digital services to many of our communities have significantly reduced the number of calls residents and we received as well as giving our residents and communities and I removed customers more choice on how and when they along with the majority 2 access our services. of the Councillors are committed to taking action. Significant improvements have been made to the One of the key priorities over the coming year will majority of the services we provide and we have be to research the possible building of Council seen a consistent improvement in the processing houses to support the need of affordable houses of planning applications and housing benefit for the residents of South Hams. processing times. The Council has made substantial progress in designing services which are more in The Council has continued to play an influential line with our customers’ requirements and as far role in sub regional debate on a number of key as possible are future proofed. Our staff continue topics including devolution and productivity and to strive for positive change and they, together continues to work closely with the Heart of the with the Councillors, are proud of what we have South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to achieved in 2017/18. secure Growth Deals to facilitate economic growth, job creation and prosperity in the area. Whilst we were disappointed that the proposed merger into a single local authority with West Devon did not go ahead, the year has also seen the Council make good progress with the Joint Local Plan, by working together with West Devon Borough, and Plymouth City Councils. The Joint Local Plan is a strategic planning document which sets out development and growth up until 2034 and will set home building and job targets for all three authorities. The plan has just gone through its public examination and at this stage we are confident that Cllr John Tucker Sophie Hosking the plan will be supported by the Inspectors and is Leader of the Council Executive Director and on track to be adopted later this year. Head of Paid Service South Hams District Council - Annual Report 2017-2018 The Council’s spending plans for 2017/18 and 2018/19 Finance 2018/19 2017/18 £43.6m £42.7m Total gross Total gross budget budget The Council’s net budget has increased from £8.35 million in (compared to last year) All figures are gross (£000), 2017/18 to £8.98 million in 2018/19. the total amount we spend The money that the Council receives in Government Grant funding (Revenue Support Grant) has been reduced to nil for 2018/19 and the Council will need to be self-sufficient. The withdrawal of Government funding has happened two years earlier than originally 1 Includes Recycling and Waste Resource, Public Conveniences, Car Parks and Transport expected. The Council is facing a budget gap 2 Includes Housing, Planning, Environmental Health, Leisure Centres and the of £0.64 million by 2019/20, which the Council administration of Council Tax, Business Rates and Benefits is planning to cover through a combination of generating income through business development, ensuring maximum use of its assets and further Financial performance for the year reduction in costs. to 31st March 2018 3 To secure the future of Council services to the The 2017/18 budget for South Hams was £8.35 public, the Council has increased council tax by million but the actual spend for the year is £5 from £155.42 in 2017/18. This means that the predicted to be 1% lower providing a saving cost of South Hams District Council’s services for of £84,000, which will go into the Council’s an average band D property will be £160.42 for Unearmarked Reserves which will stand at £1.849 2018/19. The Council has committed to protecting million. The Council’s financial strategy recognises frontline services where possible. the need to maintain these reserves to provide stability for both medium and longer term financial planning and to provide a contingency against unforeseen events. Maintaining a level of reserves How your Council Tax is spent also protects against the volatility of some income and expenditure budgets which can be dependent on economic conditions, the weather and tourism. The Council continues to share staff with West Devon Borough Council. Over the last two years, South Hams District Council has generated ongoing annual savings of £3.9 million from a joint Transformation Programme (T18) and sharing services with West Devon Borough Council. The Councils’ shared workforce has been reduced by 30% through the T18 Programme and processes have been redesigned around the customer. The radical programme has changed how the Councils’ work, to deliver more efficiencies and to retain the Councils’ front line services. South Hams District Council - Annual Report 2017-2018 Fly Tipping, Enforcement Food Hygiene Street Name Traffic Street Memorial Trees and Clearance on Inspections What your Council Tax & Numbering Signs Lamps and Bench Scheme Council Tax Business Support Council Land Business Rates and Complaints Commercial Waste Flood Protection If the memorial is on a money goes towards coastal path contact the National Trust and who is responsible South Hams District Council Town and Parish Council PUB Food Inspector Food STOP 30 Street Name Devon County Council (DCC) Police and Crime Commissioner Litter Stray Dogs Street Litter Pest Control Recycling and We Own and Rent Licensing Authority Dog Fouling Play Parks on Roads and Transport Bins Refuse Collections Out Commercial for Businesses such In the case of and Dog Bins Council Land Some may Pests: Wasps/Hornet Property as Pubs, Restaurants lost cats and We can also collect be owned nests in schools - and Zoos South Hams District Council aggressive dogs your Health Care Waste New bin requests by Town or contact DCC contact such as used needles should be reported Below is a street scene showing the key services Police 101 Parish Councils PedlarsStreet LicTradersence - Police to your Town or provided by South Hams District Council. (Pedlars Licence) - Parish Council Police www.southhams.gov.uk Affordable Housing Underground Heritage Grass Verges Council Owned Bottle Banks Tree Preservation Housing Benefits Preservation and Weeds Heritage Preservation Traffic Lights On Street Parking Car Parks Devon County Council Here are some of the Devon County Council services which are often mistaken with the services provided by South Hams. www.devon.gov.uk 4 BOTTLE 30 Taxi FINE Litter SOUTH HAMS SCHOOL J96K Town and Parish Council Leisure Centres (Litter) Road Sweepers Abandoned Vehicles School Services Bollards Elections Taxi Licensing Public Toilets Blocked Drains To find out services from your Town and Parish Council, on Public Roads and Street Cleaning (Leaves and Debris) If you have A number are opened by Council Owned Land contact your local clerk ... any issues go Town/Parish Councils Cleaning leaves and For Litter and Spillages on odour - contact DCC direct to the Major Roads contact DCC www.southhams.gov.uk/contactyourparishclerk relevant Leisure For overflowing drains Centre. contact South West Water Homelessness, Coastal Flooding Housing Advice and CCTV Roads and Erosion Devon and Somerset Trip Hazards Building Maintenance Service the Housing Register Events Licensing and Transport Community Safety Protection Beaches Fire and Rescue Services provided by DSFR can be found at... www.dsfr.gov.uk PARTY FERRY BOARDING Y!! Planning NO ENTR FOR SALE Application Police and Crime Commissioner Litter For services provided by the Police use the Council Owned Local Land Air Quality Planning Permission Disabled Facilities Potholes Looking After Council Owned Dartmouth Salcombe Ask Ned function... Land and Property Charge Services Monitoring Enforcement, Advice Grants Parks and Open Spaces Lower Ferry Harbour and Reporting and Planning for the Future Initial assessment by The main cemeteries are dealt www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/askned DCC Care Direct with by Town and Parish Councils South Hams District Council - Annual Report 2017-2018 Fly Tipping, Enforcement Food Hygiene Street Name Traffic Street Memorial Trees and Clearance on Inspections What your Council Tax & Numbering Signs Lamps and Bench Scheme Council Tax Business Support Council Land Business Rates and Complaints Commercial Waste Flood Protection If the memorial is on a money goes towards coastal path contact the National Trust and who is responsible South Hams District Council Town and Parish Council PUB Food Inspector Food STOP 30 Street Name Devon County Council (DCC) Police and Crime Commissioner Litter Stray Dogs Street Litter Pest Control Recycling and We Own and Rent Licensing Authority Dog Fouling Play Parks on Roads and Transport Bins Refuse Collections Out Commercial for Businesses such In the case of and Dog Bins Council Land Some may Pests: Wasps/Hornet Property as Pubs, Restaurants lost cats and We can also collect be owned nests in schools - and Zoos South Hams District Council aggressive dogs your Health Care Waste New bin requests by Town or contact DCC contact such as used needles should be reported Below is a street scene showing the key services Police 101 Parish Councils PedlarsStreet LicTradersence - Police to your Town or provided by South Hams District Council.