To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillors Tolchard, Fellows and Fox in place of Councillors Twelves (Vice-Chairwoman), Conservative Vacancy and Councillor Steve Darling (Chairman) respectively.  In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairwoman, Councillor Cowell was elected Chairman for the meeting.

Councillor Cowell in the Chair.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 8 November 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 8 November 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Further to the Council meeting held on 7 December 2023, to review the Political Balance of Overview and Scrutiny Review Panels.

Further to the Council meeting held on 7 December 2023, where Members had reviewed the overall political balance of Council Committees and Working Parties following the creation of a new Political Group, Prosper Torbay, the Board considered the submitted report on a review of political balance of Overview and Scrutiny Review Panels.  It was noted that, as the Panels were task and finish groups political balance was applied individually to each Panel.

Resolved (unanimously):

That, in accordance with the Local Protocol for Working Parties, the political balance of the three Overview and Scrutiny Review Panels as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved.