An apology for absence was received from Councillor Tolchard.  It was also reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Stringer in place of Councillor Stocks.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on  14 October and 4 November 2015.

The minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 14 October and 4 November 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board considered the item in Minute 31 and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that the matter was urgent by reason of special circumstances, i.e. the matter having arisen since the preparation of the agenda and it was unreasonable to delay a decision.

Resolved:  that the Priorities and Resources Review Panel be appointed to comprise the councillors on the Overview and Scrutiny Board with the terms of reference:

To scrutinise the Mayor’s proposals for his budget including his proposals for service change, increasing income and savings and to make comments, conclusions and recommendations as necessary.

To consider the draft Housing Strategy and associated documents and to make any recommendations to the Council.

The Executive Lead for Housing, Transport and Waste attended the meeting of the Board and presented the draft Housing Strategy which included the draft Homelessness Strategy.

The Board raised a number of questions in relation to the Council’s role in ensuring an appropriate number of affordable homes to meet the varying needs of the communities in Torbay, the linkages between the Housing Strategy and the Local Plan and how the proposed Aligned Investment Plan would be managed.

Resolved:  that the following views and recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board be forwarded to the Council:

·        The Board would wish to see more detail within the Housing Strategy in order to give it confidence that the Strategy can be delivered practically over its lifetime.

·        The Housing and Health Needs Assessment clearly identifies the needs of the different communities in Torbay.  The Housing Strategy should be amended to articulate how those needs will be met.

·        The targets for the delivery of units of affordable housing within the lifetime of the Housing Strategy should be explicit within the Strategy.

·        Alternative methods of bringing forward affordable housing units should be explored within the Strategy rather than just relying on the requirement within the Local Plan that 30% of new housing developments should be  affordable.

·        There should be reference in the Housing Strategy to the policy in relation to Community Investment Areas in the Local Plan.

·        There should be a representative of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Housing Partnership Steering/Monitoring Group.

·        The criteria for the Aligned Investment Plan should include outcomes which meet the identified needs of the community rather than being wholly treasury management led (as indicated within the Supporting Information for the Housing Strategy).  The timescale for the implementation of that Fund should also be included within the Strategy.

·        The timescale for the preparation of the delivery plans which sit below the Housing Strategy should be included within the document.

·        The Board notes that, within the Housing and Health Needs Assessment (summarised in My Home is My Life), there has been a significant increase in referrals for Disabled Facilities Grants and is pleased that this stream of funding has not been re-allocated at this stage. 

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer on the above.

Further its meeting held on 2 April 2015, the Board noted a Further Report of the Monitoring Officer on the decision making process in connection with works undertaken at Meadfoot and Oddicombe Beaches.  A review of the Standing Orders in relation to Contracts and the Council’s Financial Regulations had been undertaken and would be considered by the Mayor and Group Leaders at a meeting to be held in December 2015.

To consider the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 of 2015/2016.

The Board considered the revenue budget monitoring report for the second quarter of the 2015/2016 financial year.  It was noted that the revenue budget was predicted to be £2.6 million overspent at the end of the year as a result of issues in both children’s and adult services.

In accordance with Standing Orders, the Board also received an exempt report setting out the write-offs over £5000 for the second quarter of the year.

Resolved:  that a review the Council’s debt recovery procedures be added to the Board’s Work Programme for the current year.

(Note:  During consideration of the item in Minute 34, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 may be disclosed.)

To consider the Quarter 2 update of the Capital Investment Plan.

The Board considered the Capital Plan Update for quarter 2 of the financial year and asked questions in relation to section 106 contributions towards the costs of the South Devon Link Road and the fall-back position.  The Board noted that a report on the proposed relocation of Torbay School to MyPlace at Parkfield would be presented to its next meeting.

(Note:  During consideration of the item in Minute 35, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 may be disclosed.)

To consider the draft consultation document in relation to the future of Baytree House short breaks unit for people with learning disabilities in Torbay.

The Board considered the consultation document which had been prepared by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust on the future of Baytree House short breaks unit for people with learning disabilities in Torbay.  The representative of the Trust reassured the Board on how the consultation would be undertaken and agreed to report back to the Board on the results.