To consider the submitted report and any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the future of the Torbay Airshow.

Members received details of the outcome of the Torbay Air Show 2017 and a revised financial proposal to support the Air Show in future years for the benefit of Torbay’s economy (as set out in the submitted report).

The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board and a revised officer recommendation were circulated prior to the meeting.

Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Amil seconded a motion as set out below:

          (i)           that the Council amends its existing commitment and makes a new five year funding commitment to develop the Torbay Airshow with a maximum commitment of up to £100,000 for year 1 (2018);  year 2 reducing to £90,000; in year 3 £81,000;  in year 4 £73,000;  and in year 5 £66,000.  These figures represent a 10% reduction year on year in the Council’s investment in the Airshow.  Whilst this commitment provides financial stability, in order to achieve best value for the Council it will deem this to be financially successful if the reduction in funding can be increased further to 20% per year and that actual performance is to be measured against both these targets;  and

          (ii)          that the Torbay Airshow Working Party be instructed to consider how the Airshow can provide an opportunity to create greater benefits which support the Council's broader corporate objectives (including providing opportunities for the Council's Looked After Children) and its terms of reference be updated accordingly.

During the debate Councillor Pentney proposed and Councillor Carter seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)          that the Council notes that targets had been determined by the Council at its meeting on 21 July 2016 as follows:  2016 actual £250,000 loss;  2017 £100,000 loss;  2018 £70,000 loss;  2019 £41,000 loss;  and 2020 £9,000 profit.  Therefore, the Council reaffirms its original decision as follows:

that the Council makes a three year funding commitment to develop the Torbay Air Show in accordance with the proposal in Appendix 3 of the submitted report to be funded as part of the 2017/18 budget development with future years built into the Medium Term Resource Plan.

Arising from the debate on the amendment and in accordance with Standing Order A16.8(b), Councillor Pentney agreed with Councillor Carter to make changes to the amendment as follows:

(i)          that the Council notes that targets had been determined by the Council at its meeting on 21 July 2016 as follows:  2016 actual £250,000 loss;  2017 £100,000 loss;  2018 £70,000 loss;  2019 £41,000 loss;  and 2020 £9,000 profit. 

that the Council makes a five year commitment of officer time to develop the Torbay Air Show in accordance with the proposal determined by the Council on 21 July 2016.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

Mayor Oliver’s and Councillor Amil’s original motion was then considered by the Council which was agreed, as set out below:

          (i)           that the Council amends its existing commitment and makes a new five year funding commitment to develop the Torbay Airshow with a maximum commitment of up to £100,000 for year 1 (2018); year 2 reducing to £90,000;  in year 3, £81,000; in year 4 £73,000; and in year 5 £66,000.  These figures represent a 10% reduction year on year in the Council’s investment in the Airshow.  Whilst this commitment provides financial stability, in order to achieve best value for the Council it will deem this to be financially successful if the reduction in funding can be increased further to 20% per year and that actual performance is to be measured against both these targets;  and

          (ii)          that the Torbay Airshow Working Party be instructed to consider how the Airshow can provide an opportunity to create greater benefits which support the Council's broader corporate objectives (including providing opportunities for the Council's Looked After Children) and its terms of reference be updated accordingly.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of Minute 63, Councillor Thomas (D) declared his pecuniary interest and withdrew from the meeting.)