An apology for absence was received from Councillor Darling (S).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 13 April 2016.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 13 April 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board considered the item in Minute 76, and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that it was urgent by reason of special circumstances i.e. the matter having arisen since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

Resolved:  that the Board delegate authority to the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator, in consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Lead Members, to make responses and/or recommendations to the Mayor or other decision makers where it is not feasible to hold a meeting of the Board before the response and/or recommendation needs to be submitted.

To consider the report on the proposed re-provision of services at St Kilda, Brixham.

The Board was updated on the current proposals for St Kilda care home in Brixham.  It was felt that the building was unfit for purpose in the longer term and that services could be re-provided elsewhere.  Consultation was currently being undertaken with service users and their carers, staff and voluntary organisations likely to support future service provision.

Resolved:  (i)  that Councillor Stockman lead a task-and-finish group to gather feedback from the community on the proposals in relation to St Kilda; and

(ii)        that the Director of Adult Services report back to the Board with the results from the consultation and engagement process prior to a decision being made.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 77, Councillor Bye declared a non-pecuniary interest as a close family member was a service user at St Kilda.)

To review the Quality Account for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and provide a commentary for inclusion in the final version of the document.

A representative of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust attended the meeting and presented the Trust’s draft Quality Account for 2015/2016.  The Quality Account set out the achievements of the Trust against its priorities and also outlined its priorities for the coming year.

Members of the Board were asked to provide feedback to the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator for inclusion in the commentary to be published within the Quality Account. 

The Board requested that a visit to the Trust Headquarters at Exeter be arranged to take place during the forthcoming Municipal Year.

To receive an update on the progress made against the Children’s Services Five Year Plan towards a revised Financial Plan.

The Executive Lead for Children’s Services and the Director of Children’s Services presented the Children’s Services Improvement Dashboard.  It was reported that updated versions of the Dashboard would be circulated to the Board following each meeting of the Children’s Improvement Board. 

A further report would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Board in July 2016 when the revised Children’s Services Financial Plan would be available.

To receive an update from the Executive Lead on the progress towards a library strategy for Torbay including the options which are currently being considered to ensure a sustainable future for the library service.

The Board questioned the Executive Lead for Customer Services on the options which were currently being considered for identifying an alternative funding solution for the library service.  It was reported that this work was progressing in accordance with the timetables for the Transformation Programme and budget setting.

Resolved:  that Councillor Bent lead a task-and-finish group to work in parallel with the Executive in developing the Library Strategy.

To consider making recommendations to the Council in relation to the rationalisation of the Connections Offices.

Having received a briefing previously on the options which had been considered for the future operating model of the Connections service, the Executive Lead for Business attended the meeting of the Board and confirmed that he would be recommending to the Council that the option of centralising the Connections service at Paignton Library and Information Centre be agreed.

The Executive Lead went on to explain that, having analysed the reasons for visits to Connections, there was a need to review how certain services (such as concessionary bus passes and car park permits) were provided in order to be as efficient as possible, reduce demand within Connections and change customer behaviour. 

The Board reflected that it was right to examine the wider customer service needs of the community and that this should be considered within the Transformation Programme to ensure that changes in services did not happen in isolation.

To consider making a response to the consultation on the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Board considered the consultation documents in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy and asked questions of the Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing.

Resolved:  that no formal response be given to the Mayor’s consultation on the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy as the proposals in their current form are acceptable.

To agree the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Resolved:  that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report be adopted, published and submitted to the Council as per the Constitution.