The above decision was called-in by Councillors Morey, Ellery, Darling, Tyerman, Doggett, Davies, Cowell, Parrott and Brooksbank on 7 October 2014.

The reasons for the call-in are:

That insufficient time was allowed to explore the implications and consequences of agreeing to the implementation of a covenant on Churston Golf Course and that the consequences of the Mayor implementing his decision could result in the council acting illegally, the local tax payer becoming liable to legal costs and damages that could easily exceed £100,000, the Local Plan becoming void and opening up Greenfield sites for inappropriate development across Torbay and therefore we request that the Overview and Scrutiny Board carry out a detailed investigation into seeking answers to the attached questions, assisted by the Executive Head of Commercial Services and other relevant officers.

Supporting Documents

Record of Decision

Report considered by the Mayor and Council

The Board considered the details of a call-in by nine Members of the Council of the decision by the Mayor to enter into a deed covenanting with the residents of Churston and Galmpton ward that, amongst other things, the Council will not allow any development of Churston Golf Club without any such proposal first obtaining the majority of votes in a referendum of the registered electors of that ward.

The Call-in Promoter (Councillor Morey) set out the reasons for calling-in the decision and the Call-in Supporters also addressed the Board about their concerns regarding the decision.

Members of the public addressed the Board and gave their views both against entering into a covenant and those in favour.

The Executive Director, the Director of Place, the Executive Head for Business and Commercial Services, the Senior Service Manager - Strategic Planning and Implementation and the Executive Lead for Strategic Planning answered the questions which the Call-in Promoter and Supporters had raised within their call-in request.  Board members went on to ask a number of supplementary questions arising from the answers given and the points raised by members of the public.

At this juncture, the Chairman of the Board indicated that he was minded to adjourn the meeting until a date to be confirmed as he felt that further information was required.  Members of the Board were in agreement with this view and therefore the meeting adjourned to a future date.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 22, Councillor Tyerman declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Trustee of the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.)