Teignbridge Update February 2024

Financial worries at the council!

Since the Lib Dem’s took over the running of Teignbridge in 2019 the financial challenges facing the council have escalated to the point that council reserves built up by the outgoing Conservative administration have been used to prop up the council and having already used half of the reserves the projected plans for the next couple of years uses the balance.

How the council addresses the £4+ million per year overspending is a major concern with the need to protect core services placing enormous pressure on non statutory services which could result in the loss of services provided to residents.

The strategic plan for the district introduced in 2016 and ratified again in 2021 gave key objectives that delivered improved services and helped generate additional income for the district to enable the delivery of additional amenities and resources. Unfortunately none of these plans have been delivered.

Covid may be accepted as a reason for a few of the failures to act but cannot be used to explain the ongoing failures over a 5 year period.

Key actions  previously identified to address local deprivation, town centre improvements, recreation facility developments,  creation of jobs,  delivery of  affordable homes and investment to support the local economy have been ignored resulting in  higher levels of deprivation,  fewer playing pitches, no new jobs, 150 fewer affordable  homes than planned and zero investment in jobs.

Spending on green issues has dominated decision making regardless of economic viability, value for money or  its impact on jobs and deprivation.

This is a result of  the  local elections where turnout is low, resulting in the majority party receiving only  1 vote in 10 eligible votes  thus forming an administration that is paralysed by dogma and a lack of ideas.

The lesson is clear, please make your vote count!

Phil Bullivant