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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Darling (S) and it was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Conservative Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Thomas (D) in place of Councillor Barnby.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 11 October 2017.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 11 October 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board considered the item in Minute 31, 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.

It was reported that Councillor Stockman had taken up the position of Executive Lead for Health and Wellbeing and therefore was no longer a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Board.  The Chairman and the Board expressed their thanks to Councillor Stockman for her work as a member of the Board and as its Vice-chairman and wished her well in her new role.

To consider a request for the Board to review (with appropriate officers and partners) the results of the Torquay Town Centre Crime Survey carried out by Councillors Darling (M) and Pentney.

This item was withdrawn at the request of Councillor Darling (M) who had originally asked for the item to be considered.

The Chief Executive to present the proposed response to the draft Heart of the South West Productivity Strategy.

The Mayor to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider making any comments and/or recommendations.

The Board considered the draft Productivity Strategy which had been published for consultation by the Heart of the South West Partnership alongside a framework of a response on behalf of Torbay Council.  

The Board confirmed that it supported the outline response to the consultation and noted that the Executive Head – Business Services would be finalising and submitting the response ahead of the consultation deadline.

The Mayor to answer questions on his economic regeneration priorities.

The Board invited the Mayor to share his economic regeneration priorities and raised questions in relation to housing levels, town centre regeneration and the number of jobs created in Torbay in recent years.

The Head of Finance to present the Revenue Budget monitoring report.

The Mayor and Executive Leads to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider making any comments, conclusions and/or recommendations to the Mayor and/or the Council.

The Board noted the report which provided a high level summary of the Council’s revenue and capital income and expenditure for the financial year 2017/2018.

At the end of the second quarter of 2017/2018, the Council’s revenue budget was projected to be overspent by £1.9 million primarily as a result of expenditure pressures in children’s social care.

The Executive Lead for Customer Services to provide an update on the progress on the transformation project for libraries.

The Executive Lead for Business to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider making any comments and/or recommendations.

The Board noted a report which would be considered by the Council on the Transformation Project in relation to library services.  Following a procurement exercise, it was recommended that a contract be awarded to a preferred supplier (Libraries Unlimited) to ensure the sustainability of the library service in Torbay for five years whilst making a revenue saving of approximately £804,000 over the term of the contract.

The Executive of Assets and Business Services to provide an update on the current position.

The Executive Lead for Community Services to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider making any comments and/or recommendations.

The Board noted a report which was due to be considered by the Council on the outcome of the Transformation Project in relation to public conveniences.  It was recommended that a preferred bidder (Healthmatic) be appointed to deliver and manage 16 toilet facilities.  Further, it was recommended that the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be delegated authority to award a contract which ensures all remaining public toilets remain open and maintained at current levels.

Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 39 the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).)

The Executive Head for Assets and Business Services to provide an update on the Tor 2 contract.

The Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider making any comments and/or recommendations.

The Board received the Project Initiation Document for the Transformation Project relating to the Review of the TOR2 Contract.