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

Apologies for absence was received from Councillor Hutchings and Councillor Tranter (Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities who was represented by Councillor David Thomas, Leader of the Council). 

It was also 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 Barbara Lewis and Fox in place of Councillors Fellows and Law respectively.

To consider the Local Transport Plan 4 consultation document and consider making recommendations to Devon County Council/the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Pride in Place Transport and Parking (Councillor Billings), and the Service Manager, Strategy and Project Management, Spatial Planning (Adam Luscombe) outlined the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) 4 Consultation document as set out in the submitted papers and presentation.  The Local Transport Plan set out the key priorities for transport for the next 15 years, was a key policy document for the promotion of safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport across the Devon and Torbay, and would be supplemented by LTP action plans on how the policies would be implemented.  The Divisional Director of Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency (David Edmondson), Principal Planning & Public Health Officer Strategy and Project Management (Andrew Gunther) also attended the meeting and responded to questions.

Members noted that the plan would:

·                       align with the Peninsula Transport Board’s priorities;

·                       be used to direct the Integrated Transport Blocks of funding from the Government for Devon County Council and Torbay Council, which would be pooled with other funding streams and would be used by the new Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority and would also help unlock other funding streams for the benefit of the two areas; and

·                       inform the revised Torbay Local Plan.

Members asked questions in relation to would there be improved signage for roads and key buildings and heritage sites; what improvements would be made to electronic bus stops; lots of new housing estates were emerging, would suitable off road infrastructure for pedestrians, mobility scooters and cyclists be provided as part of the planning process; the vision was ‘well-integrated, accessible and inclusive transport will improve travel choice and benefit the health and wellbeing of everyone’ how would the Plan help residents for example in Barton and Watcombe access Torbay Hospital by bus when the previous 65 bus service was no longer in operation, and how would it support provision for the less profitable bus routes to ensure that people were not isolated in their communities and consider franchising; how did the Bus Service Improvement Plans link with the LTP and when would they be reviewed; did the Plan cover the location of the roads for highways maintenance and how much was the funding gap for this; how did the Plan link to other key Council documents; had consideration been given to operating residential community buses; access to trains was important to Torbay’s economy, particularly in Paignton with cuts to previous services, how could this be strengthened within the Plan and also address concerns on overcrowding and access to routes; what was the reason for the contraction in the number of people travelling to work in the area between 2001 and 2011; what action was being taken to ensure that the Edginswell Railway Station was completed and when did the Planning permission expire; where were potential sites for park and ride in Torbay and why was there no reference to a potential park and ride to ease congestion in Brixham; and what was being done to reduce the impact of heavy goods  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider the submitted report on the above and to make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Board received an update on the Multiple Complex Needs Alliance (MCNA) Review as set out in the submitted report.  The Leader of the Council (Councillor David Thomas), the Consultant in Public Health (Bruce Bell) as well as the Interim General Manager Public Health Services with Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust and member of the Growth in Action (MCNA) Strategy Group (Simon Acton) attended the meeting and responded to questions.  The MCNA had been operating for two years (since 21 June 2022) bringing services together and the report highlighted the successes as well as the need for improvements such as a more integrated approach; the importance on focusing on the importance of relationships and the need for service users to work with the same person for continuity of support; cessation of supplementary central Government grant funding; and lack of suitable move on accommodation.

Members asked questions in relation to how the voice of the service user was being heard; the benefit of having more detail about the transformation and culture change; what were the problems around officer capacity; had the MCNA approached charities to support their work; how much was the current grant that was at risk; what action would benefit the MCNA the most; the importance of addressing the lack of suitable move on accommodation and the need to take brave decisions; and if the MCNA works with other local authorities across Devon who may have capacity in their accommodation.

In response to questions around mental health, Members were advised that the inclusion of mental health in the Alliance was explored with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) at the time of procurement process, but this was not possible.  Members were informed of the dual diagnosis function and work within Torbay Recovery Initiatives and the work that the Alliance was doing with mental health services to work better together.

Regarding move on accommodation there were up to 15 residential rehabilitation placements for up to 12 months with around 10 to 15 people successfully completing the programme.  There was a wider need for accommodation with the Council having statutory responsibilities for domestic abuse accommodation and staying safe accommodation.  Devon experiences similar challenges regarding suitable accommodation.  The MCNA work supported the Housing Policies moving forward with outreach being important part of engagement and support.  Working with the community, voluntary and faith sectors was well established and there were further opportunities to work with Torbay Community and Community Builders in addition to the work already done with YES Brixham and YES Paignton.  It was noted that the MCNA could benefit from being part of a central hub together with wider services e.g. health, education, housing and psychology where users could talk about their housing and other needs without being stigmatised for needing support; as well as inclusive recovery focussed community support. 

Members were informed that hearing the voice of the user was fundamental and would be explored in different ways, subject to funding, including surveys, speaking to users and their peers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.