(i)           that Council Directors ensure that all bids submitted for their portfolio are checked by them for accuracy;

(ii)          significant decisions made by Officers, such as the acceptance of the Land Release Fund (LRF) Grant, should have formal Record of Decisions, irrespective of whether or not the legal test for their preparation is met;

(iii)         meetings such as the one where the Mayor and Group Leaders were consulted on the LRF, should be minuted in the future;

(iv)      any information requested by Councillors for consideration by committees must be produced as requested and in a timely manner;

(v)       there is a need for clear and transparent reports.  All reports must include background information and context to items for which there is a need for a decision by either Cabinet or Full Council;

(vi)      all future bids for Government money must be made and submitted in accordance with the Constitution; and

(vii)     that Officers ensure that the submission of all future bids are in accordance with Council Policies.

To respond to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny to improve governance around decision-making.

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The decision will come into force and may be implemented on Monday, 14 October 2019 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

At its meeting on 19 September 2019, Torbay Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board considered a report prepared by the Interim Director of Place, the purpose of which was to remind and advise the Overview and Scrutiny Board of the background to and progress on the use of the Land Release Fund (LRF) money awarded to the Council.  The Overview and Scrutiny Board were also in receipt of a report compiled by fellow Board Member, Councillor Kennedy.

The Board made seven recommendations to the Cabinet in respect of governance and internal processes in connection with funding bids; provision of background information for reports to Council and Cabinet; and information being provided to Members in a timely manner. 

The Cabinet welcomed the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Board and thanked Councillor Kennedy for her work in preparing her report to the Board.

Councillor Carter proposed and Councillor Long seconded a motion to support the seven recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board which was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet as set out above.

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