The meeting was opened with a prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Manning and Stringer.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 December 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 December 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor O’Dwyer declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Minute 118 as he was a Board Member for Sanctuary Affordable Housing Ltd.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Chairman, the Mayor, the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator or the Executive Director of Operations and Finance.

The Chairman advised that he undertook both Boxing Day Dips in Torquay and Paignton and thanked all those Members who attended to support these fundraising events.

The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator updated Members on the recent work of Overview and Scrutiny including:   the Priorities and Resources Panel review of the Mayor’s budget proposals;   and a training/workshop event on the Constitution and the Overview and Scrutiny work programme.

In accordance with Standing Order A7.2 in relation to Council meetings, the order of business was varied to enable agenda Item 7 (Members’ Questions) to be considered after Item 18 (Urgent Decision taken by the Executive Director of Operations and Finance).

To hear and respond to any written questions or statements from members of the public which have been submitted in accordance with Standing Order A24.

In accordance with Standing Order A24, the Council heard from Ms Jeannie Green who had submitted a statement and question in relation to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  The Mayor responded to the statement and question that had been put forward, plus a supplementary question asked by Ms Green.

To consider the above.

Further to the Council meeting held on 10 December 2015, Members considered the submitted report on the Mayor’s response to the objections raised by the Council and proposed a revised Torbay Housing Strategy 2015-2020.

It was proposed by Councillor King and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

(i)         that, subject to (ii) below, Torbay’s Housing Strategy including “My Home is My Life” and the new Homelessness Strategy set out at Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the submitted report be approved;  and

(ii)        that the following table be added to the Housing Strategy as an action plan:

To consider a report on the above.

Further to Minute 68/9/15, the Council considered the submitted report updating Members on the work of the Devolution for the Heart of the South West and introduced the completed prospectus ‘Devolution for the Heart of the South West - A Prospectus for Productivity’.  It was noted the prospectus set out formal devolution proposals with a view to negotiating a deal with the Government thereafter.  Any final devolution deal with the Government would be subject to further approval by all partners individually.

It was proposed by Councillor Mills and seconded by Councillor Tyerman:

(i)         that the Council endorses the Mayor’s current approach to devolution and the drafting of proposals, their submission and negotiation of a deal for the Heart of the South West, namely:

Working with local authorities, National Parks and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver full proposals for devolution which will seek a formal agreement with Government on a formal devolution deal;

(ii)        that the submission of the final draft of the Heart of the South West Devolution Prospectus (Appendix 2 to the submitted report) to Government, be approved subject to any changes made to the final draft prior to submission; and

(iii)       that the Executive Director of Operations and Finance, in consultation with the Mayor, be authorised to make any final changes and approve the submission of the ‘Heart of the South West Devolution – A Prospectus for Productivity’ to Government.

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried (unanimous).

To consider a report on the above.

The Council considered the submitted report on the outcome of the recent Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge.  The report set out the LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenge feedback report and resulting outline action plan which responded to the recommendations of the LGA’s report.

It was proposed by Councillor Mills and seconded by Councillor Ellery:

(i)         that the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report (as set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report) and the resulting outline action plan (as set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report) be endorsed;

(ii)        that the outline action plan be refined and reported as follows:

a)    an all Member/officer workshop be held, with assistance from the LGA if possible, to enable all Members and relevant officers to contribute towards the development of the outline action plan;

b)    a joint Member and officer working group (comprising 15 Members politically balanced (11 Conservatives, 3 Liberal Democrats and 1 Independent Group) and lead officers for each of the action plan themes) be established to further refine the details of the action plan during February 2016;  and

c)    the final detailed action plan be presented to Council meeting on 25 February 2016 for adoption; and

(ii)        that the implementation of the action plan be monitored by the Audit Committee.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor O’Dwyer and seconded by Councillor Thomas (D):

(iii)       that a six monthly report be presented to full Council for debate.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried.

The substantive motion (the original motion with the addition of (iii) was then before Members for consideration.

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was declared carried (unanimous).

To consider a report that sets out the Delivery Plans which underpin the overarching Corporate Plan.

This item was deferred to the meeting of Council to be held on 25 February 2016.

To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Budget proposals for 2016/2017.  Included in this report are the following documents:

·         Revenue Budget 2016/2017

·         Budget Digest 2016/2017

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2016/2017

·         Equality Impact Assessments 2016/2017

·         Fees and Charges 2016/2017

·         Review of Reserves 2016/2017

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017

·         Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/2016 – Quarter Three

·         Children’s Financial Plan – Progress Report

(Note: This item will be deferred for consideration at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on Thursday, 11 February 2016.)

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Mayor outlined his budget proposals for 2016/2017.

A copy of the record of decision setting out the recommendations of the Mayor in respect of the revenue budget proposals is attached to these Minutes.

The Chairman advised that in accordance with Standing Orders F2.13 and F3.12 in relation to the Budget and Policy Framework this item was referred to an adjourned meeting of Council to be held on 11 February 2016 to enable full consideration to be given to the implications of the proposals set out in the report circulated on 3 February 2016.

To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Capital Plan Budget proposals for 2016/2017 to 2019/2020.  Included in this report are the following documents:

·         Capital Plan Update – Quarter 3 2015/2016

·         Capital Strategy

·         Asset Management Plan

(Note: This item will be deferred for consideration at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on Thursday, 11 February 2016.)

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Mayor outlined his capital plan budget proposals for 2016/2017 to 2019/2020.

A copy of the record of decision setting out the recommendations of the Mayor in respect of the capital plan budget proposals is attached to these Minutes.

The Chairman advised that in accordance with Standing Orders F2.13 and F3.12 in relation to the Budget and Policy Framework this item was referred to an adjourned meeting of Council to be held on 11 February 2016 to enable full consideration to be given to the implications of the proposals set out in the report circulated on 3 February 2016.

To consider a report relating to the disposal of Lincombe Court which is a Council asset previously utilised by the Care Trust and now no longer required for service delivery.

The Council made the following recommendation to the Mayor:

It was proposed by Councillor Haddock and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that the Mayor be recommended to:

(i)         consider any feedback received from Ward Members and the relevant Community Partnerships to the disposal of Lincombe Court as set out in Appendix 3 to the submitted report; and

(ii)        that subject to (i) above Lincombe Court be declared no longer required for service delivery and that the Head of Commercial Services be requested to advertise the intended disposal in accordance with the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy 2008.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Carter and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

(iii)       that the Council be recommended to allocate any funds received from the sale of Lincombe Court, Torquay, to the development of social housing i.e. secure tenancy with socially regulated rent.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared lost.

The original motion was then put to the vote and declared carried.

The Mayor considered the recommendations of the Council set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Order (A9.1) to select, by elimination ballot, the Chairman/woman-Elect and Vice-Chairman/woman-Elect for the Municipal Year 2016/2017.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders (A9.1), the Council was requested to consider selecting the Chairman/woman-Elect and Vice-Chairman/woman-Elect for the next Municipal Year 2016/2017.

It was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

(i)         that Councillor Hill be selected as Chairman (Elect) for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year;  and

(ii)        that Councillor Brooks be selected as Vice-Chairwoman (Elect) for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Amil and seconded by Councillor Excell:

(i)         that Councillor Brooks be selected as Chairwoman (Elect) for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

In accordance with Standing Order A16.9, Councillor Amil, with the consent of Councillor Excell as seconder, withdrew her amendment.

On being put to the vote the original motion was declared carried.

To receive details on the composition and constitution of the Mayor’s Executive for 2015/2016, together with the record of delegations of Executive functions.

Members noted the submitted report which provided details of changes made by the Mayor to his Executive.

To note the details of a decision taken by the Executive Director of Operations and Finance on the grounds of urgency as set out in the submitted report.

Members noted the submitted report setting out details of an urgent decision taken by the Executive Director of Operations and Finance in respect of the creation of the Torbay Public Service Trust (SWIFT Project).

To respond to the submitted questions asked under Standing Order A13.

Members received a paper detailing the questions, attached to the agenda, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order A13.

Verbal responses were provided at the meeting.  Supplementary questions were then asked and answered in respect of the questions.

At this juncture, the Chairman adjourned the meeting to 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, 11 February 2016.