To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Stockman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2019.

Subject to the inclusion of Councillor Loxton as being in attendance, the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling, provided an update on a meeting of the Great South West held last week and the joint plan which was being developed by Torbay, Plymouth, Devon, Somerset and Dorset Councils.  This would be put to the new Government following the General Election on 12 December 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, Councillor Long advised of the outcome of the annual rough sleeper count which took place last week, with the help of himself, the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services (Councillor Carter) and the Civic Mayor (Councillor Douglas-Dunbar).  Torbay had identified 16 rough sleepers compared with 21 last year, although this was a slight increase since October when there was 12.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services, Councillor Carter, advised that Paignton Academy had submitted a bid for £9m from Building Schools for the Future to help develop and improve the school.  The Cabinet supported the Bid and the Leader of the Council agreed to write a letter of support to the school for the Bid.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Law, highlighted the recent filming for BBC/ITV showing the foster carers using their free tickets on the Train of Light.  There had also been raffle prizes for the foster families.

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, Councillor Morey, advised that following recent renovations Brixham Library had now fully reopened.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Cowell, advised of a successful and productive meeting with members of the Cabinet, Councillor Lewis and Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust to better understand how we can work collaboratively together with the community for the benefit of Torbay.

The Cabinet considered the following matters, full details of which (including the Cabinet’s decisions) are set out in the Record of Decisions appended to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the outcome of the community conference.

To consider the proposed consultation document in respect of the Community and Corporate Plan (Policy Framework document).

To consider and note the submitted report on the above.

The expenditure on Children’s Services was currently the most significant and challenging budget pressure the Council was facing.  Despite additional resources being allocated to this service the levels of demand, complexity of needs and cost have regularly exceeded the allocated budget.  Spend on this service was likely to exceed £42m in 2019/20.

The Plan attached at Appendix 1 had been jointly formed by the service and financial services.  Compared to the previous Children’s Services financial recovery plans the proposed Plan simply outlined a wide range of actions that, if undertaken, would help to challenge, reduce or mitigate the expenditure pressures within the service, and where appropriate increase income.

The Cabinet noted and supported the actions outlined in the Finance Recovery Plan set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.  Quarterly ‘back to the floor’ visits would be undertaken by all Councillors and Senior Officers.

To consider passing a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting prior to consideration of the following items on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) is likely to be disclosed.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded the motion, which was agreed by the Cabinet unanimously, as set out below:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting prior to consideration of the items 11 and 12 on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)) was likely to be disclosed.

Prior to consideration of the items in Minutes 55.4 and 55.5, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting.

To consider potential investment opportunities.

To consider any new Economic Growth Fund investment opportunities.

None