i)       That Cabinet notes the endorsement of the Torquay Town Board in respect of the business cases for the Edginswell Rail Station, Harbour Public Realm and Stronger Future projects; and 

ii)      That the business cases as set out in Appendix 1 to the published report be submitted to the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government for their consideration in order to allow for delivery to begin from autumn. 

To enable delivery of Town Investment Plan projects from autumn 2021 which would demonstrate to the local community, investors and government the progress of the Town Deal.  Submission of the business cases and the subsequent funding through the Town Deal provides investment which would create employment, attract additional investment and support residents in accessing support to help them gain work and deepen their skills in key sectors thereby in time contributing to a more resilient local economy.

The following options were set out in the submitted report:

·         Do nothing – If the Cabinet did not agree to submit the business cases then the Towns Fund grant would not be released and the anticipated benefits from the schemes would not accrue.  There would be significant disadvantages with this option which could include the loss of grant, lack of achievement of economic benefits and reputational harm with Government and local partners. 

·         To agree the recommendation – delivery of the projects. There were no anticipated disadvantages from this option.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 26 July 2021 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

In July 2020 the Council submitted a Town Investment Plan in respect of Torquay seeking funding from the Government’s Town Deal programme administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The Council was advised in the autumn of last year that the Investment Plan would be supported by £21.9M of Town Deal grant subject to business cases. The first three business cases are now ready for submission in respect of Edginswell Rail Station, Harbour Public Realm and Stronger Futures projects. 

Submitting these business cases to MHCLG and their anticipated approval will confirm the overall funding package in the case of Edginswell Rail Station and for the Harbour Public Realm and Stronger Futures projects will allow for these projects to begin delivery from the autumn of 2021. 

At the meeting, Councillor Long proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion that was unanimously agreed by the Cabinet.

None.