To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group held on 9 October 2017.

The Minutes of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) held on 9 October 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider any other items the Chairman decides are urgent.

The Committee considered the item in Minute 25, and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that it was urgent by reason of special circumstances i.e. the matter having arisen since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendations to the Elected Mayor:

(i)         that the Council supports the proposal for Grinagog Festival in 2018 in principle on the understanding that other funding sources are realised and the event does not exceed the stated budget; and

(ii)        that the event can be supported as part of the wider programme at Torre Abbey as long as any associated costs at the Abbey are covered by income for the event.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider a report that reviews the Risk Based Verification Policy.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Elected Mayor:

            that the amended Risk Based Verification Policy for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To approve the New Burdens Business Rate Relief Scheme.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Elected Mayor:

that the New Burdens Business Rate Relief Scheme set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider a report on the above.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Elected Mayor:

that the Corporate Asset Management Plan 2018/2019 Revision, set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be published for consultation as part of the consultation on the proposed budget for 2018/2019.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes

To consider a report on the above.

Darren Cowell, Torquay Neighbourhood Planning Forum and David Watts, Paignton Neighbourhood Planning Forum attended the meeting and made oral representations in support of renewing the Forums.

Neighbourhood Forums were created by the Government under the Localism Act 2011.  They were intended to “provide a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure that they get the right types of development for their community.  The ambition of the neighbourhood should be aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area.  Neighbourhood plans must be in general conformity with the strategic priorities of the Local Plan” (NPPF 184).

Neighbourhood Forums were approved by Council for Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Peninsula on 6 December 2012.  Forum designation lasts for five years.  Applications for designation have been received from all three Forums.  The Council is currently consulting on these proposals and will make a decision at the Council meeting on 7 December 2017.

Resolved:

(i)         that the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) notes the options in respect of the status of the Neighbourhood Planning Forums set out in the submitted report, and notes that it would be premature to make a final recommendation of the matter before the expiry of the consultation period on 20 November 2017. The PDDG also notes the concerns raised at the meeting in respect of the accuracy of the report submitted to the meeting and instructs Officers to liaise with the Chairmen of the Forums in advance of the submission of the report to Full Council.  All Councillors and the public are encouraged to respond to the public consultation so as to help inform the final recommendation to Council; and

(ii)        that each of the three Neighbourhood Planning Forums be invited to submit up to two pages of A4 as to why the Forum status should be renewed to be included as appendices in the report to Council on 7 December 2017.