To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 20 February, 19 May, 16 June, 14 July, 11 August, 22 September, 29 September, 20 October, 17 November, 15 December 2020, 19 January, 18 February, 1 March and 23 March 2021.

(Note the Minutes had not previously been signed due to Covid19 and holding the meetings remotely.  A copy of all the Minutes have been posted to the Chairman to sign at this meeting.)

The Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 20 February, 19 May, 16 June, 14 July, 11 August, 22 September, 29 September, 20 October, 17 November, 15 December 2020, 19 January, 18 February, 1 March and 23 March 2021were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(a)       To receive declarations of non pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda.

For reference: Having declared their non pecuniary interest members may remain in the meeting and speak and, vote on the matter in question. A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

(b)       To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda.

For reference: Where a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest he/she must leave the meeting during consideration of the item. However, the Member may remain in the meeting to make representations, answer questions or give evidence if the public have a right to do so, but having done so the Member must then immediately leave the meeting, may not vote and must not improperly seek to influence the outcome of the matter. A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

(Please Note: If Members and Officers wish to seek advice on any potential interests they may have, they should contact Governance Support or Legal Services prior to the meeting.)

Councillor Steve Darling declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 192 – Proposal for a peppercorn rent lease for Burton Academy for land at South Parks, as he is Acting Chairman of Governors for Burton Academy.

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

The Leader of Council, Councillor Steve Darling informed Members that work was being undertaken to ensure that the Council was prepared for the summer season.  Members were advised that there would be ‘Safe, Clean and Green Ambassadors’ in the form of additional SWISCo operatives working from May to end of September, working on a 7 day rotational function, working 2pm to 10pm with option to extend hours on Friday and Saturday nights.  There will also be additional Park Rangers to increase coverage to 7 days a week, working alongside Ambassadors, providing eyes and ears on the ground to respond to issues, including illegal camping, gatherings and unauthorised events.

Councillor Darling advised that funding for these additional roles would be allocated from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF), any elements that did not meet the criteria would be funded through the Covid reserve that was created as part of the budget setting process.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Law advised Members that last week was the national allocation for primary school places, there were just over 1,200 primary school places allocated, with 97.2% of children being allocated their first choice preference.  Councillor Law reminded parents who had not applied that the deadline for late admission was 3 May 2021.

Councillor Law also informed Members that the Council had received notification from the Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Vicky Ford MP regarding Torbay stepping down from having a Commissioner to the next phase in our improvement which was a ‘partner in practice’.  The minister was encouraged by the Council’s commitment and hard work to improve the quality of children services in Torbay and its focus on improvement work was recognised despite the challenges that Covid had presented over the last year.  She was reassured by the Commissioners assessment in his final report and pleased that Torbay would be getting additional support from Leeds City Council the Council’s ‘partner in practice’ to help with improving the quality of social care practice.  The letter from the minister concluded by confirming the next non-commissioner phase of the Council’s improvement journey needed to be a period of determined consolidation and a relentless focus on impact and outcomes

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councilor Cowell, requested Members to remind businesses in Torbay that are eligible, to apply for the Re-Start Grants.  Applications were live, with 1,200 applications having been received so far with around a third having been processed and approved for payment.  Resulting in money going out into the economy to support businesses as they start to reopen.

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 a report that seeks the approval and implementation of the Local Transport Action Plan (LTAP) and the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

To consider a report that sets out the actions that need to be undertaken over the next few years to achieve the outcomes of Torbay’s Resource and Waste Strategy.

To consider a report that provides an update on local suicide prevention activity in Torbay and seeks approval of the Torbay Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Plan 2021-22.

To consider a report that sets out how the Council plans to support an effective social care market for all eligible adults with disabilities or ill health in Torbay.

To consider a report that outlines the proposal of the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan – Future Front Door project.

To consider a report that seeks approval for a 15 year peppercorn rent lease to Burton Academy as part of the Catch 22 Catch 22 Multi-Academies Trust for land at South Parks Road, Torquay

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Review of the Youth Offending Team and formally respond to the recommendations contained within the submitted report.

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Review of the Planning Service and formally respond to the recommendations contained within the submitted report.