To receive any communications or announcements from the:

Ø  Civic Mayor including the presentation of the Long Service Awards;

Ø  Leader of the Council;

Ø  Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator; and

Ø  Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council referred to the Levelling Up Minister’s (Jacob Young) visit to Torbay on 25 January 2024, when he announced the publication of proposals for a devolution deal for Devon and Torbay.  It was noted that the proposals included the transfer of a range of Government powers to enable decisions to be made locally by a new combined county local authority.  It was noted the proposals would be launched for consultation and it was anticipated Devon County Council and Torbay Council (at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on 30 April 2024) would then determine the response for submission to the Secretary of State.

The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator:

a)    thanked the Cabinet and senior officers for their time and input on the Priorities and Resources Review Panel’s review of the Cabinet’s draft budget proposals.  The Overview and Scrutiny Board was due to finalise it’s recommendations on the proposals on 7 February 2024;

b)    advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 10 January 2024 had triggered a report into the felling of palm trees in Torbay following receipt of a councillor call for action and the report was expected in March 2024;  and

c)    highlighted the excellent work undertaken by the Children’s and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board on their spotlight review of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services.