To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Amil.

The Mayor declared a pecuniary interest in respect of the English Riviera Destination Management Plan.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Policy Development and Decision Group held on 19 June and 24 July 2017.

The minutes of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) held on 19 June and 24 July 2017 were correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report on the above.

The Assistant Director for Community and Customer Services advised that a comprehensive review of public toilets had been undertaken and that a procurement exercise was being undertaken to seek a commercial partner to deliver the provision of public toilets in Torbay.  It was noted that the procurement exercise had reached a stage where a preferred bidder could be appointed, and that at the Joint Operations Team Policy Development Group held on 12 February 2016 it was agreed that public consultation would be undertaken before any final proposals on the type and shape of future public toilet provision would be presented for decision.

Members were given examples of different delivery models/schemes for the provision of toilets which had been adopted by other authorities.  Members raised concern about the lack of facilities for the severely disabled and that part of the consultation sought the publics’ view on the closure of public toilets.

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

(i)           that contrary to officer recommendation, the consultation proposed in the submitted report is not to be undertaken;

(ii)          that the Mayor does not support any reduction to the number of public toilets and that Community and Customer Services be requested to explore how the existing toilet provision can be provided via a modernisation programme which is in accordance with the Corporate Plan to reduce costs to the Council and report back to the Mayor and Executive Leads.

The Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and his decision is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report on the above.

The Mayor presented the submitted report which set out a revised Economic Strategy that would support Torbay to build on its strengths to deliver economic growth, tackle inequality and create change in the area that benefits residents.  The Mayor explained the four objectives which would assist Torbay in achieving its vision. 

It was noted that the current Economic Strategy was due to expire and that certain factors, such as Brexit and the recent government election, meant that the existing strategy required reviewing and updating.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Mayor on the Torbay Economic Strategy 2017-2022:

That subject to the wording set out below being included on Page 6 of the Strategy, the Council be recommended to approve the Torbay Economic Strategy 2017-2022, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, noting that the Policy Framework element of the Strategy starts at Page 10.

‘Working with the ‘Heart of the South West’ Local Enterprise Partnership to build our relationship with Government.’

The Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and his decision is attached to these minutes.

The Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing presented the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021 as set out in the submitted report.  The Executive Lead advised that the overall objectives of the Destination Management Plan were to deliver a series of agreed actions in partnership with local stakeholders to strengthen and develop the English Riviera’s tourism offer. 

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Executive Lead for Tourism, Culture and Harbours on the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021:

That the Council be recommended that the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021 Pride in Place, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted as a sub-strategy of the Torbay Economic Strategy.

The Executive Lead for Tourism, Culture and Harbours considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above and her decision is attached to these minutes.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021, the Mayor declared his pecuniary interest and withdrew from the meeting room.)