The above decision was called in by Councillors Lewis, Tyerman, Doggett, Tolchard, Barnby, Stockman, Darling (S), Thomas (D), Morey, Kingscote, Cunningham, Thomas (J) and Robson on 1 December 2016.

The reasons for the call-in are attached together with the Record of Decision and the report which was considered at the Policy Development and Decision Group.

The Board considered the details of a call-in by thirteen Members of the Council of the decision of the Mayor to, amongst other things, request the Assistant Director – Corporate and Business Services to consult on the principle of establishing a helipad facility in Torbay and on the long term economic benefits of a light railway system to Brixham.

In addressing the Board, the Call-in Promoter highlighted that he believed that the Mayor’s decision was contrary to the Council’s Policy Framework.  He made reference to the Corporate Plan which included the principle that the Council’s reducing resources should be used to best effect.

Members of the public who were both in favour of the Mayor’s decision addressed the Board. 

The Deputy Mayor and other members of the Executive were invited to respond to the points in the call-in and to the questions raised by members of the Board.

Members of the Board indicated that they were minded to agree that the decision was contrary to the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework and, at that point, the Monitoring Officer and Chief Financial Officer provided advice to the Board.

Resolved:  that, having listened to the advice of the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Board is of the view that the Mayor’s decision is contrary to the Policy Framework as it does not believe that it makes best effect of the Council’s reducing resources and therefore the matter is referred to the Council.

To consider the submitted report in respect of a potential helipad and a light rail system to Brixham.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

(i)       that the Assistant Director of Corporate and Business Services be requested to consult the private sector and businesses in the aviation sector for their views on the principle of establishing a helipad facility for Torbay and that this should give the opportunity for the private sector undertaking feasibility work and to put forward proposals;

(ii)      that an informal working group comprising the Mayor and business leaders be established to investigate the economic benefits to Torbay of having a helipad facility;

(iii)      that further discussions be held between the Spatial Planning Department and Devon Air Ambulance in respect of their needs for adequate facilities; and

(iv)     that due to the economic growth in Brixham in the fishing and tourism industry there is a need to improve transport links in and out of Brixham and the surrounding area to cope with this growth and the Assistant Director of Corporate and Business Services be requested to consult with the fishing industry, Brixham Town Council, rail user groups and existing rail owners to establish, in principle, if the formation of a light railway system will benefit the long term economic prospects of Brixham and the surrounding area.

The Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.