That the Notice of Motion in respect of Torbay Airshow Working Party be rejected.

To respond to the Motion in respect of the establishment of a working party for the airshow.

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This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 9 December 2024 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The Cabinet considered a motion in relation to the establishment of Torbay Airshow Working Party, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

The Cabinet provided the following response:

Members will recall that at the Cabinet meeting on 20 August 2024, Cabinet approved the formation of a number of working parties after careful consideration of the Council’s priorities and resources.  The Airshow Working Party was one that was not appointed.  The Cabinet was very mindful that the Council successfully organises a number of major Council events such as Remembrance Sunday and the Bay of Lights without the need for a Member working party.  The Torbay Airshow has taken place for a significant number of years with lessons learnt along the way, it is recognised that the Torbay Airshow is a major event for the Events Team and a Member Working Party is a diversion of officer resources away from the actual event itself, furthermore, in the latter years it is hard to identify where the former Airshow Working Party provided added value to warrant its continued appointment. 

Our Events Team are experienced officers at delivering major events and will ensure when necessary that all Members are briefed and updated at crucial points in the planning process for the Torbay Airshow and all other major Council events.  The Events Team spends time meeting with its key partner English Riviera Business Improvement District (ERBID) Company to discuss Airshow Marketing each month to ensure a robust programme of national and local promotions, and another monthly meeting as of January with other community and key event partners to discuss the mechanics of the airshow, and how these groups can deliver it.  The airshow came in under budget last year, and unless this is likely to be different next year, which is not forecast at present, it is unlikely that there is need for additional Member scrutiny.

Should Members have any ideas or suggestions to enhance any Council event they were encouraged to email the Cabinet Member for Tourism, Events & Culture and Corporate Services or the Divisional Director for Culture and Events.  

In light of the above, Councillor Jackie Thomas proposed and Councillor Bye seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously, as set out above.

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