To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve Darling and Stockman.  Councillor Cowell, Deputy Leader of the Council chaired the meeting in the absence of the Councillor Steve Darling.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 September 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 September 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation from Unleashed Theatre and any communications or announcements from the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet received a presentation from Martin Harris of Unleashed Theatre Company.  Members were informed that the Unleashed Theatre Company was a community theatre company working with the homeless and recovery communities in Torquay.  The company holds weekly drama workshops and community choir for those on the fringes of community.  The Unleashed Theatre Company was about making the arts accessible to people who can’t otherwise afford it. Unleashed 1, 2, 3 put a focus on homelessness where participants can reflect and share their own experiences.  Members were advised that during the Pandemic devices were shared with participants and St Magdalen Church commissioned the company to do a play, which became a film put forward for several film festivals and ultimately won the ‘Best Original Screenplay’ award at the Cannes Film Festival.  With thanks to a benefactor, the Unleashed Theatre Company was able to purchase the cinema on Abbey Road and extend the companies work whilst protecting local heritage.  The company aimed to turn the property into a community arts centre and was conveniently located in the Melville community that the company wanted to reach out to and encourage participation from.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Cowell thanked Mr Harris for his presentation and the contribution the Unleashed Theatre Company was making to the community and reiterated that the Council would welcome working together to achieve common goals.

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 to launch public consultation on the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy.

To consider a report that seeks approval to launch public consultation on the Housing Strategy.

To consider a report that seeks approval to dispose of Council owned land at the old Hatchcombe Nurseries site, in addition to the previously agreed land disposal on the same site.

To consider a report that seeks approval to award a contract for new Multi-Functional Devices across the Council estate.

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

To consider a report on the above.

Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 406 the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).