To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

Apologies for absence were received from Vince Flower, Laura Marshall, Nathan Kiyaga, Kirsty Brodest, Alison Hernandez and Chris Hart.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on  8 September 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Torbay Place Leadership Board held on 8 September 2025 were confirmed as a correct record.

a)       To receive declarations of non pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda

For reference:  Having declared their non pecuniaryinterest 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.

b)       To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda

For reference:  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.)

No declarations of interest were made.

Update on Destination Management Plan

There was an open discussion on what Members felt the pressures and priorities were in relation to updating the Destination Management Plan and wider issues surrounding tourism in the Bay.  Members raised issues with the planning process, skills and education development, parking costs, retail support and the specific question of Paignton Zoo. 

Steven Kings gave an update on the latest position surrounding Paignton Zoo, and the Chair and Members expressed their thanks for the hard work which has gone into allowing Paignton Zoo to continue as a going concern.

ere in relation to updating the Destination Management Plan and wider issues surrounding tourism in the Bay.  Members raised issues with the planning process, skills and education development, parking costs, retail support and the specific question of Paignton Zoo.  Steven Kings gave an update on the lates position surrounding Paignton Zoo, and the Chair and Members expressed their thanks for the hard work which has gone into allowing Paignton Zoo to continue as a going concern.

The Director of Regeneration presented the report as published, describing the overall vision for the Bay as a whole, as well as individual visions for the three towns separately.  Specific geographic areas and projects were discussed, as well as constraints such as flood zones and existing infrastructure.  Projects discussed in detail included Crossways, Paignton Picture House and waterfront and harbour areas.  Members raised questions regarding transport connectivity, policing capacity and funding issues for the proposed Tech Park.  The Place Manager for Economy, Investment and Enterprise also outlined future plans for a third Place Board being set up for Paignton.

Action – to chase up the action on the One Public Estate and workshop and to consider including policing and health hub in Paignton – (David Carter).

The Place Manager for Economy, Investment and Enterprise outlined progress made by the Torquay Place Leadership Board, describing the process to date in funding, outreach and the development of protocols.  Members queried specific areas of how funding bids were to be analysed, and how this may apply to the Paignton funding stream.

Actions:

1.       Members to identify who wants to be part of a group to look at Paignton Regeneration (all); and

2.       To add Torquay Place Leadership Board progress update as a standing item to the agenda (Simon Bellamy).

Jon Siddall from Health Innovation South West gave an overview of the organisation, describing the methods by which they identify and develop opportunities for partnership and innovative solutions in the life sciences area.  Members discussed ways in which this may be a beneficial link with the NHS, Public Health and Social Care through Torbay.  Mr Siddall gave specific examples of real life innovation applications in medicine, and Members queried community-based medical care, funding routes, barriers and complications, methods of evaluation and wider links with the voluntary sector.  Members requested further formal sessions be set up to develop the relationship.

Action – Establish a further contact session and investigate ongoing contact options between Members of the Board and Health Innovation South West (Alan Denby).

The Leader of the Council updated members on the latest position with LGR, confirming that the proposal had been submitted alongside proposals from neighbouring authorities.  Potential outcomes and next steps were outlined, along with a timeline for the implementation process for the final model.

This item was deferred.