To receive an apologies for absence, including notifications if any changes to the membership of the Working Party.

Apologies for absence were received from Elected Mayor Oliver (represented by Councillor Haddock) and Councillor Thomas (J).

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Community Governance Review Working Party held on 21 November 2018.

The Minutes of the Community Governance Review Working Party held on 21 November 2018 were confirmed as a correct record.

To received additional information requested by the Working Party.

The Working Party noted the additional information on Parish Councils and paid particular attention to the individual case studies.

During the discussion, Members recognised that there may be a political choice in the future for a poll to be held and as such suggested a note be added to the ‘Indicative timetable for the Community Governance Review of Torbay’.  Members also felt the consultation would need to clearly explain that the review applied to the whole of Torbay not just the unparished areas.

At this juncture a motion was proposed and seconded:

‘That the Working Party agrees the principle of establishing Town Councils in Paignton and Torquay.’

The motion was declared lost.

Members continued to consider the additional information provided.

To review and provide feedback on draft terms of reference for the Community Governance Review of Torbay.

Members considered the draft terms of reference for the Community Governance Review of Torbay.  Members provided the following feedback:

i)          paragraph 1.2, ‘(i.e. Torquay and Paignton)’ be removed;

ii)         paragraph 1.6, be rephrased to:

            ‘The Council is undertaking the review at this time because it considers that the establishment of town councils may allow for the provision of local services for local people that Torbay Council may be unable to sustain due to resource pressures, promote community engagement and effective local government.’;

iii)        that following paragraph 1.6 a separate paragraph be added advising that parish precepts are uncapped;

iv)        remove the title ‘The aims of the review’;

v)         that paragraph 1.10 be prefixed with ‘In addition to the reasons for the Community Governance Review set out in paragraph 1.6 above and…’; and

vi)        that the following note be added to the indicative timetable for the Community Governance Review of Torbay, ‘Note this timetable does not include a poll, should a poll need to be enacted, this timetable may change.’

At this juncture the meeting was adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday 17 December 2018 and the remaining items will be deferred to this meeting.