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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Doggett.

To consider and agree the report on the Turning the Tide on Poverty Review.

(Note:  Caroline Dimond, Director of Public Health has been invited to attend the meeting for this item.)

The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator presented the final report and recommendations of the Anti-poverty Task and Finish Group.  The Group had met over a series of meetings to discuss the themes within the Marmot Report ‘Fair Society, Healthy Lives’, which provided a sound evidence base on how to tackle inequalities and poverty.  The Board thanked all those involved in the review for their valued contributions.

It was proposed that the final report would be presented to the Cabinet meeting on 22 September 2020 for their consideration.

Resolved:

That the report and recommendations of the Anti-poverty Task and Finish Group, as set out in the submitted report, be approved (unanimously).

To consider and agree the final report on the review of the Draft Heritage Strategy.

(Note:  Jim Blackwell, Planning Officer, David Edmondson, Assistant Director of Planning, Housing and Climate Emergency, Martin Thomas, Culture Board have been invited to attend the meeting for this item.)

The Scrutiny Lead for Community and Corporate Services presented the final report and recommendations of the Task and Finish Group – Review of Draft Heritage Strategy.  The Group had met over three meetings to review the consultation draft of the Heritage Strategy and heard from key officers of the Council and representatives of the Torbay Culture Board.

The Board noted that their final report would be considered alongside all other consultation responses and presented to the Cabinet on 20 October 2020.  The document would then be used to inform future funding bids to help support Torbay’s valued heritage.

Resolved:

That the report and recommendations of the Task and Finish Group – Review of Draft Heritage Strategy, as set out in the submitted report, be approved (unanimously).

To receive a verbal update on the Economic Recovery Plan.

(Note:  Carl Wyard, TDA has been invited to attend the meeting for this item.)

Further to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 10 June 2020, the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, and the Economy and Enterprise Manager, TDA provided a verbal update on the progress of implementing the Economic Recovery Plan and the views previously expressed by the Board.

Members noted that the feedback provided by the Board on 10 June 2020 such as looking for opportunities, skills and employment, encouraging travel by train and buy local had been incorporated in the Economic Recovery Plan.  Engagement was also being undertaken with businesses and Councillors from Brixham to ensure there was more emphasis on identifying further schemes in Brixham in addition to the Northern Arm extension proposals.  A follow up virtual meeting had been organised to take this forward.

The Board noted the support provided by the Council and TDA to help businesses during these difficult times and the anticipated further impact, especially on our tourism sector in the autumn once the summer season had finished and the Furlough scheme ends in October.  Locally and regionally the Council, TDA and key partners were working together to lobby central Government to see what further help can be provided for our local businesses and the tourism sector.

Members heard how the three chambers of commerce for Torquay, Paignton and Brixham were coming together more and also collaborating with the Torbay Business Forum with each of them taking up a seat on the Business Forum Board.  The Future High Streets and Town Deal bids had been submitted for Torquay and Paignton and the high tech sector was performing well and creating more jobs.

The Board discussed issues in connection with language schools and the reduction in the number of students and the knock on impact that had on some of the most vulnerable households in Torbay, who relied on additional income during the summer hosting the language students and the support available to them.