To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Stockman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 26 November and 17 December 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 26 November 2019 and 17 December 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to minute 54.3 being amended to read ‘Quarterly ‘back to the floor’ visits would be undertaken by Cabinet Member all Councillors and Senior Officers.’

To receive any communications or announcements from the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, Councillor Long provided Members with an update on Crossways.  Members were advised that following the Council decision in September to progress the acquisition of the Crossways shopping centre Paignton, either by negotiated purchase or a compulsory purchase order, work has been progressing as expected.

A meeting has taken place with the current owners and a suggested way forward has been presented to them. In addition to this solicitors have been appointed and work has commenced on the formal elements of compulsory purchase order.

A satisfactory planning permission will need to obtained alongside any purchase and a scoping meeting to better define the Council’s aspirations for this site has been held. Once the objectives are clear then a project team will need to be procured.

The Cabinet considered the following matters, full details of which (including the Cabinet’s decisions and recommendations to Council) are set out in the Record of Decisions appended to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report and the recommendations from the Community Governance Review Working Party on the above.

To consider and recommend to Council the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/2021.

To consider passing a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting prior to consideration of the following items on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) is likely to be disclosed.

Councillor Long proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded the motion, which was agreed by the Cabinet unanimously, as set out below:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting prior to consideration of the item 12 on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)) was likely to be disclosed.

Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 73, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting.

To consider potential investment opportunities.

There were no new Investment Opportunities.

To consider any new Economic Growth Fund investment opportunities.

There were no new Economic Growth Fund Opportunities.

To consider the submitted exempt report on the above and make recommendations to Council in respect of this funding.