The meeting was opened with a prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Manning, Sanders, Stringer Thomas (J) and Tyerman.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 July 2017 and 8 August 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 July 2017 and the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 8 August 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairwoman.

Councillor Doggett declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 85 as he was a member of the Torbay Rail Users Group.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Chairman, the Mayor, the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator or the Chief Executive.

The Chairwoman thanked all those who attended the recent Civic Garden Party and advised that over £950 was raised for the Chairwoman’s charities.

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

Members received a paper detailing questions, as set out at Appendix 1 to these minutes, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order A13. The paper also contained the answers to the questions which had been prepared by Mayor Oliver, Councillors King and Parrott.

Supplementary questions were put and answered by Mayor Oliver, Councillors King and Parrott arising from their responses to the questions in respect of questions 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Members considered a motion in relation to the public sector pay cap, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

Councillor Darling (S) proposed and Councillor Carter seconded the motion, as set out below:

this Council believes that the continuation of the public sector pay cap is having an unreasonable effect on the living standards of many public sector staff, and is also affecting recruitment and retention across the sector.

This Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to request that the cap is lifted to allow the implementation of the recommendations of Pay Review Bodies and negotiations with employers, and subsequent pay increases fully funded via central government settlement.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.3(a), the motion stood referred to the Mayor.  The Mayor advised that he would refer the motion to the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations) for consideration once the Government’s policy and intentions for public sector pay was clear.

Members considered a motion in relation to the granting of the Freedom of the Borough to RAF Brize Norton, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Mills seconded the motion, which was agreed (unanimously) by the Council as set out below:

(i)       that this Council, being appreciative of the significant and continuing defence role undertaken by the Royal Air Force around the world and in recognition of its long association with the towns of Torbay, does offer the base of Brize Norton, its Aircrew and Ground staff the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Torbay.  This is also to celebrate and commemorate the foundation of the RAF 100 years ago in 1918;  and

(ii)      that a formal presentation and procession be held at a ceremonial event to be arranged with the Royal Air Force.

To consider a report that provides outline proposals as to how the affordable housing capital budget monies may be utilised.

The Chairwoman reported that the Chief Executive had withdrawn this item from the agenda.

To consider a report that sets out the current position of the committed projects and seeks approval for additional investment in schemes.

At its meeting on 25 February 2017 Council approved the Capital Plan subject to the Mayor and Chief Executive reviewing and making recommendations to Council on specific proposals for expenditure on the capital budget for Integrated Transport.  Members considered the submitted report on the current position of committed projects and proposed business cases for additional investments to which the remaining allocation of the Integrated Transport Capital Funding would be awarded.

Two Liberal Democrat Group amendments were circulated prior to the meeting.  Councillor King accepted the first amendment and incorporated it in his original motion.

Councillor King proposed and Councillor Excell seconded a motion, as set out below:

(i)      that the remaining allocation of Integrated Transport Capital Funding, as set out in the table (schemes 8 to 13) in Section 7 of Appendix 1 “Supporting Information and Impact Assessment” of the submitted report, noting that schemes 1 to 7 have previously been agreed with a level of commitment attributed to them, be approved;

(ii)     that, subject to Appendix 6 – Rail and Bus Infrastructure Strategic Capital Business Case being amended to allow voluntary groups from the local community to place bids for capital purchase of public service vehicles to facilitate bus services where there are identified shortfalls in provision, to delegate approval of specific Capital spend within the strategic business cases in Appendices 3 to 6 and “Employment and Education Access”, as summarised in Section 2 of Appendix 1 to the submitted report, to the Executive Head of Business Services in consultation with the Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing;  and

(iii)    that Council, at its meeting in October 2017, consider an update on the Edginswell Station scheme.  Should a decision be taken not to pursue the proposals it is proposed that Council approves the reallocation of the remaining funding previously committed to that scheme to “Employment and Education Access”.

During the debate Councillor Darling (S) proposed and Councillor Doggett seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that, subject to number 13 - Employment and Education Access being reallocated to road safety schemes including 20 mph residential zones - £65,000 and £60,000 to be added to 11 – Rail and Bus Infrastructure, To approve the remaining allocation of Integrated Transport Capital Funding, as set out in the table (schemes 8 to 13) in Section 7 of Appendix 1 “Supporting Information and Impact Assessment” to the submitted report, noting that schemes 1 to 7 have previously been agreed with a level of commitment attributed to them, be approved.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared carried.

During the debate Councillor Morey proposed and Councillor Darling (S) seconded a further amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that subject to:

(a)       number 13 - Employment and Education Access being reallocated to road safety schemes including 20 mph residential zones - £65,000 and £60,000 to be added to 11 – Rail and Bus Infrastructure;  and

(b)       the requirement that any proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To consider a report that reconfirms the inclusion of this scheme in the Council’s Capital Plan.

On 25 February 2017, Council approved the Capital Plan subject to the Mayor and the Chief Executive reviewing the Princess Pier superstructure and making recommendations to the Council.  The submitted report set out a proposed business case in order to protect Princess Pier for use by residents and tourists in the future, which had been endorsed by the Mayor and the Chief Executive.

Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Amil seconded a motion, which was (unanimously) agreed by the Council as set out below:

that the inclusion of £1.7 million within the Council’s Capital Plan for works to the Princess Pier Superstructure, as set out in the Business Case at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be reconfirmed.

To consider a report that seeks approval for a number of schemes to be included in the Council’s Capital Plan.

The Council considered the submitted quarterly report setting out an overview and proposed update of the Council’s approved Capital Plan.  The report provided details of capital expenditure and funding for the year.  It was noted the Capital Plan budget totalled £169 million for the 4 year programme, with £84.2 million scheduled to be spent in 2017/18, including £46.1 million on two Investment Fund opportunities, £3.9 million on the Western Corridor and £15.5 million on regeneration projects (subject to review).  It was noted £0.3 million from capital receipts and capital contributions was required over the life of the Capital Plan.  The submitted report sought approval for a number of amendments to the Council’s Capital Plan.

Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Mills seconded a motion, which was agreed by the Council as set out below:

(i)         that the latest position for the Council’s Capital expenditure and funding for 2017/18 be noted;

(ii)       that the allocation of the following grants to services be approved:

a)      Department of Health – Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) 2017/18, £1.631 million to Disabled Facilities Grants/Adults Social Care.  £1 million be allocated to fund DFGs with the remaining £0.631 million to be used under the terms of the Better Care Fund;

b)      Department for Education: 2017/18 Devolved Formula Capital £0.079 million to Children’s Services (ring-fenced grant);

c)      Department for Education: 2017/18 School Condition grant £0.418 million to Children’s Services;

d)      Department for Education 2019/20 Basic Need grant £0.559 million to Children’s Services;

e)      Department for Education 2018/19 - 2020/21 Special Provision Fund £0.5 million (total) to Children’s Services; and

f)       Department for Transport – Highways Structural Maintenance Incentive element (2017/18) £0.109 million to Highways;

(iii)      that the 2017/18 operational borrowing boundary be increased to £310 million, being £290 million for external borrowing and £20 million other liabilities, from £191 million; and

(iv)      that the 2017/18 authorised borrowing limit be increased to £330 million, being £310 million for external borrowing and £20 million other liabilities, from £255 million.

To consider a report that provides a high level budget summary of the Council’s revenue income and expenditure for the financial year 2017/18 and any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Council noted the forecast position for Revenue Budget for 2017/2018 based on quarter one information, as set out in the submitted report.

To consider a report that provides an update on the LGA action plan.

Members considered the submitted report which provided an update on the action plan resulting from the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge and the CIPFA financial resilience review of the Council.  It was noted that the majority of the actions had been completed, or were being monitored elsewhere, and therefore it was no longer necessary for the Council to separately monitor this action plan.

Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Mills seconded the motion, which was agreed by the Council, as set out below:

that the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback action plan (as set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report) be signed off as complete.

To note the schedule of Executive decisions to which the call-in procedure does not apply as set out in the attached report.

Members noted the submitted report setting out the decision of the Mayor taken on 6 September 2017, in relation to Income Management and Payments System Contract Renewal, to which the call-in procedure did not apply. 

To consider any recommendations from the Investment Committee on investment opportunities.

The Chairwoman advised that there were no recommendations from the Investment Committee and therefore this item was withdrawn from the agenda.