Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Atiya-Alla and Pentney.

Having declared their non pecuniary interest members may remain in the meeting and speak and, vote on the matter in question.  A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

Where a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest he/she must leave the meeting during consideration of the item.  However, the Member may remain in the meeting to make representations, answer questions or give evidence if the public have a right to do so, but having done so the Member must then immediately leave the meeting, may not vote and must not improperly seek to influence the outcome of the matter.  A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

(Please Note: If Members and Officers wish to seek advice on any potential interests they may have, they should contact Governance Support or Legal Services prior to the meeting.)

At the invitation of the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay, the Monitoring Officer reminded Members of the dispensation granted in respect of Members’ interests in relation to the setting of the budget and Council Tax and matters relating to Council controlled companies where Members were appointed as unpaid directors by the Council. It was noted that this meant Members were permitted to discuss and vote on the budget in respect of these matters without the need to declare an interest.

No interests were declared.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Revenue Budget proposals for 2020/2021 and the Chief Finance Officer’s Report.  Circulated separately to this report are the following documents:

·         Cabinet response to consultation

·         Revenue Budget Digest 2020/2021

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2020/2021 (including Equality Impact Assessments)

·         Fees and Charges 2020/2021

·         Review of Reserves 2020/2021

The Revenue Budget Digest 2020/2021, Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2020/2021 (including Equality Impact Assessments) and Fees and Charges 2020/2021 can be found at: www.torbay.gov.uk/council/finance/budget/budget-202021/

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 6 February 2020, Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Revenue Budget 2020/21 as set out in the submitted report and supporting documents. 

In accordance with legislation, the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that recorded votes would be taken on the motion and the objections.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion as set out below:

i)       that the proposals identified for efficiencies, service change and income generation in 2020/21 be approved (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/13791/cabinets-response-to-consultation.pdf);

ii)      that the net revenue expenditure of £115.868m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £72.328m for 2020/21 (a 3.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved;

iii)     that the Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the Schools Financial Regulations and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed and this delegation is included in the next revision of the Council’s constitution;

iv)     that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2020/21 be approved (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/13797/fees-and-charges.pdf);

v)      that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves (as set out in the report) be noted;  and

vi)     that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept of £0.336m for 2020/21 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that seven notice of motions to object to the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals had been received in accordance with Standing Order A13.4 and would be considered in the order that they were received.

Councillor Chris Lewis proposed and Councillor Sykes seconded an objection to the motion as follows:

that the Council formally objects to the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals on the basis the Cabinet’s draft Community and Corporate Plan has a commitment to becoming the UK’s premier tourist resort, whereas the budget proposals see a reduction in the amount of public toilet facilities at Preston Beach, Goodrington South and Corbyn Head.  It is ridiculous and irresponsible to assume that a single cubicle at Goodrington South can cope with the amount of visitors to the beach that the whole block used to deal with. In addition Preston is expected to lose more than 20 toilet units and rely on a single block comprising 4 or 5 units. As such this proposal is considered to be contrary to the desire to become the UK’s premier tourist resort, and consequently Council believe that the provision should be maintained at Preston and Goodrington South.

In accordance with the Constitution at F2.9, the Council therefore requires the Cabinet to consider this objection by 20 February 2020 either:

a)         submit a revision of the estimates or amounts as amended by the Cabinet with the reasons  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Capital Plan Budget proposals for 2020/2021.  This report includes:

·         Capital Plan Update – Quarter 3 2019/2020

·         Capital Strategy

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 6 February 2020, Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Capital Plan 2020/2021 and Capital Strategy 2020/21 as set out in the submitted report.

In accordance with legislation, the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that recorded votes would be taken on the motion and the objection(s).

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion, which was agreed by the Council (by recorded vote) as set out below:

i)          that the Capital Plan for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved;  and

ii)         that the Capital Strategy 2020/21 be approved (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/13798/capital-strategy.pdf).

The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Amil, Brown, Carter, Cowell, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Dart, Douglas-Dunbar, Doggett, Dudley, Ellery, Howgate, Law, Long, Loxton, Manning, Morey and Stockman (18);  Abstain:  Councillors Barnby, Barrand, Brooks, Bye, Foster, Hill, Kavanagh, Kennedy, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Mills, O’Dwyer, Sykes, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas and John Thomas (16);  and Absent:  Councillors Atiya-Alla and Pentney (2).

To consider the submitted report on the above.

At this juncture, the Monitoring Officer advised that the meeting had exceeded four hours in duration and in accordance with Standing Order A11.2, the Chief Finance Officer had indicated that item 5 (Treasury Management Strategy 2020/2021 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2020/2021 and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2020/2021)) must be transacted at the meeting.  Therefore, the meeting continued.

The Council received the Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21 as set out in the submitted report. Members noted the strategy aimed to support the provision of all Council services through the management of the Council’s cash flow, debt and investment operations.

Councillor Cowell proposed and Councillor Long seconded a motion, which was agreed (unanimously) by the Council as set out below:

that Council approve:

·         the Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2020/21);

·         the Prudential Indicators 2020/21; and

·         the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2020/21

as set out in the Appendix to the submitted report.