To elect a Chairman/woman of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

Councillor Haddock was elected Chairman of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Amil and Mills.

To consider appointing a Vice-Chairman/woman of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

Councillor King was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) for the ensuing Municipal Year.

To consider the submitted report setting out the proposed consultation document for the Local Transport Plan Implementation Document.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

(i)       to publish for four week consultation the Torbay Local Transport Implementation Plan 2016-2021 as set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report; and

(ii)      to note that, following consideration of representations received, the Torbay Local Transport Implementation Plan, with modifications as necessary, will be considered by the Mayor and submitted to Council for final approval on 27 October 2016. 

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report setting out the proposed consultation document for the above document.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

(i)       to publish for six week public consultation the Review of Planning Contributions and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report; and

(ii)      to note that, following consideration of representations received, the SPD, with modifications as necessary, will be considered by the Mayor and submitted to Council for final approval on 8 December 2016.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

(i)       that the Torbay Council Parking Strategy 2016-2021, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted; and

(ii)      that the Parking Operations Panel and Members involvement in the decision making process be reviewed after one year.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the criteria and governance for the Capital Investment Fund and to make recommendations to the Council.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

That the Council be recommended:

(i)       that the Investment Fund be increased by £40 million to a total of £50 million to be initially funded by prudential borrowing, with the revenue costs associated with that borrowing (MRP and interest costs) to be funded from the investment returns or higher NNDR income;

(ii)      that the Investment Strategy for the fund as detailed within Appendix 1 be approved;

(iii)      that the governance of fund as detailed within paragraph 7.4 be approved;

(iv)     that the Chief Executive be delegated authority to set up a delivery team including sourcing external support if required, to be funded from the investment returns; and

(v)      that the Chief Executive be delegated authority to make any changes to the Strategy, in consultation with the Mayor, Group Leaders, Section 151 Officer and Executive Head of Business Services.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the above lease.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Mayor:

That the granting of a 25 year Lease with lease break options in favour of the Council (the 1^st break option at year 10 and intervals thereafter) be approved for the red and the blue area shown on the Plan EM 2663 at Appendix 2 to the submitted report with authority being delegated to the Assistant Director (Corporate and Business Services) in consultation with the Torbay Development Agency’s Head of Asset Management to approve the detailed terms of the Lease.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report in respect of a lease of land at Torre Valley North.

Robert Loxton made representations on behalf of the Torbay Sports Council.  The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

(i)       that the granting of a 30 year full repairing lease to Torre Valley Sports Group CIC (Community Interest Company) at the appropriate market rent be approved;

(ii)      that authority is delegated to the Assistant Director of Corporate and Business Services, in consultation with the Executive Head of Business Services and the Torbay Development Agency, to approve the detailed terms of the lease; and

(iii)      that, in light of the protracted delays and the revised higher rental figure, the Assistant Director of Corporate and Business Services be authorised to offer a rent free period of 30 months, to allow the Torre Valley Sports Group CIC time to submit an application to the Council for a grant to offset the market rent.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider passing a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)) is likely to be disclosed.

Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 11 the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

To consider the submitted report on the above.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Mayor:

That the Risk Based Verification Policy for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support set out at Exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report be approved.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.