To make recommendations in relation to the Mayor’s proposals for the Revenue and Capital Budget for 2016/2017; taking account of the following documents:

·         Findings to date of the Priorities and Resources Review Panel

·         Further details of the proposed budget for Children’s Services

·         Capital Strategy

·         Asset Management Plan

The Board concluded its Review of Priorities and Resources during which it had received information from the Mayor and his Executive Leads on the rationale for the Mayor’s proposed budget including his proposals for service change, income generation and savings.

At the meeting, the Board received a paper from the Director of Children’s Services which explained how the budget for Children’s Services would be managed in 2016/2017 to ensure that the service delivery costs remained within the proposed financial envelope of £29.0 million.  The Executive Lead for Children’s Services also attended the meeting to give his assurance about the level of budget which was proposed to be set.

The Board was also provided with updates on the proposals in relation to tourism marketing, harbours, car parking and street wardens.

Resolved:  (i)  that the following recommendations be made to the Mayor in relation to his proposed Revenue Budget for 2016/2017:

1.    That the Council become more commercially driven and that it should market itself and its facilities more effectively.

2.    That the Board is confident that the proposed budget for Children’s Services for 2016/2017 is adequate and appreciates that the Director of Children’s Services and the Assistant Director – Children’s Safeguarding concur that it is adequate.  However, the Board still need to see the detail of how it will be achieved and that there is pace of change to ensure that a balanced budget is delivered.  The Board will require an update on the financial position when it considers the progress report on the Improvement Plan and will continue to hold the Executive Lead for Children’s Services and the Director of Children’s Services to account in this regard.

3.    That robust monitoring of the Integrated Care Organisation be established (by 1 April 2016 at the latest) to ensure councillors can satisfy themselves that performance and budget targets are being met.

4.    That, within the next six months, the Torbay Community Development Trust be invited to a future Councillor Conversation to share its outcomes to date and how it aims to become self-sustaining.

5.    That the Council’s enforcement regime, as a whole, be reviewed (over the coming year) to ensure that scarce resources are used to best effect and that possible reputational damage is minimised.

6.    That four street wardens be retained with funding being returned to the base budget.

7.    That the proposal in relation to highways be not implemented and that consideration be given to alternative options for ensuring the long term maintenance of the highway.

8.    That, over the course of the coming year, a review of all of the Council’s assets (including highways) be brought forward to consider how we best use, utilise and maintain them.

9.    That the proposal in relation to the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust be not implemented.

10. That a review of all of the museums in Torbay be undertaken within the next six months.

11. That a review of how to make a significant reduction in the budget for recreation and landscape be undertaken and that a coherent plan for involving the community in providing the service be implemented as a matter of urgency.

12. That further consideration be given to reduce the number of libraries in Torbay in the next six months.

13. That a representative of the Overview and Scrutiny Board attend the newly established monitoring meetings with the Riviera International Conference Centre.

14. That the Comprehensive Spending Review Reserve be replenished to ensure that the costs of exit packages can be met moving forward.

15. That the redesign of Beach Services should happen at pace to maximise the income to the Council from these assets.

(ii)        that the following recommendations be made to the Council:

1.    That the Policy Framework be amended to include that the Council maintains a face-to-face customer service presence in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham for at least part of the week.

2.    That the Policy Framework be amended to include that the Council will maintain libraries in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

(iii)       that the Overview and Scrutiny Lead, in consultation with the Chairman, be authorised to finalise the narrative of the report based on the discussions at the meetings of the Priorities and Resources Review Panel; and

(iv)       that the Report of the Board be published and circulated to all members of the Council.

(Note 1:  Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 46, Councillor Tyerman declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Trustee of the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.)

(Note 2:  During consideration of that part of the item in Minute 46 which related to tourism marketing, the Mayor declared an interest and withdrew from the meeting.)