The meeting was opened with a minute’s silence for a serving member of staff, Amanda Coote, who had sadly passed away.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 February 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 February 2022 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 advised the meeting that he had attended a meeting in Westminster, with a consortium called Homes for the South West.  Their aim was to drive the numbers of affordable rented properties in the South West and to influence Government.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Cowell, advised the meeting in respect of the government £150 rebate, however he emphasised that it is not a rebate on Council Tax, rather it is using Council Tax as a method of delivering £150 to those in Council tax bands A-D.  Councillor Cowell recognised that any assistance with the cost-of-living crisis was to be welcomed, Councillor Cowell highlighted the logistical challenges in paying this to the 28,000 people in Torbay who do not pay their Council tax by direct debit, who will need to apply for it.  Councillor Cowell advised that the payments need to be made by the end of September and it was estimated that the cost of administering the scheme would be in the region of £400,000 to 500,000.  Cllr Cowell advised that the Council will be working with organisations to promote the scheme, but he wanted to bring attention to the logistical challenge, as well as the cost of delivering the scheme which is not being funded by Government.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling invited Tom Godwin, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Exeter and Torbay, to address the meeting as to the work of Citizens Advice.

Mr Godwin advised as to the trends that they were seeing in Torbay, with a real concern as to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, when 1 in 3 people were already financially living month to month.  He stressed the importance of face-to-face debt advice, which had been due to end as a result of a reduction in national funding, however a year extension had just been given.  He believed it was essential that this face-to-face debt advice should continue.  Councillor Darling thanked Mr Godwin for his attendance and for the services that Citizens Advice provide to the residents of Torbay.

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 approval of the Torbay Young Carers Under 25 Strategy.

To consider a report that provides the current position in relation to the development of a County Deal for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and sets out how members of the Council will be involved as discussions and negotiations continue over the coming months.

To consider a report that seeks approval for two key elements of the approved Carbon Neutral Torbay Approach.

To consider a report that seeks approval to undertake consultation on the Draft Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-26.

To consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Review of Torbay’s Housing Crisis and formally respond to the recommendations contained within the submitted report.

To consider a report that seeks approval of the Empty Homes Policy.

To consider a report that provides a high-level budget summary of the Council’s revenue and capital position for the financial year 2021/22.

Members noted the submitted report which had been discussed at length at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 9 March 2022.