To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7 and 20 April 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7 and 20 April 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling, expressed his disappointment in the ceasing of the regulations that permitted the Council to hold decision making public meetings virtually and hoped that the Government would in the longer term consider bestowing powers upon Council’s to decide the most appropriate format for their public meetings.

Councillor Steve Darling also advised that the Council had recently undertaken a peer review, assisted by the Local Government Association.  The Partnership considered the peer review to be a ‘half time’ report which had provided the Partnership with the reassurance that the community was at the heart of decision making within Torbay.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, Councillor Long, informed Members that TorVista Homes had purchased properties at Bishops Place, the purchase demonstrated the Partnerships commitment to intervene in the market and drive positive change and provide affordable housing.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Cowell, advised Members that Torbay Council had been nominated as Co-operative Council of the Year predominately for the work of the Food Alliance and encouraged people to vote online at www.uk.coop/vote.

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, Councillor Morey, announced that Torbay had been awarded Blue Flags for six of Torbay’s beaches with a further four beaches being awarded the Seaside Award.

To consider any other items the Chairman decides are urgent.

The Cabinet considered the item in Minute 206, 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 arising since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

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

To consider a report that seeks approval of the English Riviera Events Strategy.

To consider a report that seeks funding and approval for three initiatives to support both community engagement, the council’s green agenda and turning the tide on poverty.

To consider a report that seeks approval of the Council Business Plan 2021/022.

To consider a report that seeks approval of the TorVista Business Plan.

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Torquay Town Deal and Paignton Future High Street and formally respond to the recommendations contained within the submitted report.

To note the submitted report on and urgent Cabinet decision taken by the Chief Executive.

The report on an urgent Cabinet decision taken by the Chief Executive was noted.

Councillor Steve Darling 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 items 16 and 17 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 206, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting.