To consider the submitted report on the above and any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Council considered the submitted report on proposals for the future use of the Parkfield site (including Parkfield House), following the decision by the Council not to approve the planning application for the relocation of Torbay School (Brunel Academy) to the site.  It was noted the report reflected the work undertaken by FMG Consulting Ltd on options for the future use to encompass development of youth related provision, in accordance with the funding requirements, and how the site could support the Council in delivering it’s wider statutory responsibilities for the children and young people of Torbay.  The submitted report included the recommendations of Overview and Scrutiny Board who supported the proposals.

The Chairwoman advised that a revised officer recommendation had been published as a result of a suggested technical amendment raised by the Liberal Democrat Group.

Councillor Parrott proposed and Councillor Haddock seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the proposal to relocate the Medical Tuition Service in MyPlace, Parkfield, Paignton be approved;

(ii)        that the Director of Children's Services be requested to ensure that parents and service users of the Medical Tuition Service are fully engaged in the implementation of the proposed changes to their service provision;

(iii)       that the proposal to fund the capital expenditure associated with (i) above from any unallocated sums within the existing Children's Services Capital Programme and up to £600,000 of prudential borrowing funded from any future premises savings and any shortfall being included in the 2019/2020 revenue budget be approved;

(iv)       that the Torbay Youth Trust has previously been approved and awaits a precise timetable for the release of a budget and development funds that will now be a matter of the utmost priority;

(v)        that the creation of a Parkfield User Group comprising representatives of young people, the Youth Trust, the Medical Tuition Service, Eat That Frog, Paignton Town Community Partnership, Torbay Community Development Trust, Torbay Community Partnerships and the Overview and Scrutiny Board be approved;  and

(vi)       that the Parkfield User Group be established as soon as possible and be asked to consider how the use of MyPlace can be maximised.

During the debate Councillor Stockman proposed and Councillor Morey seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that the proposal to relocate the Medical Tuition Service in MyPlace, Parkfield, Paignton be approved, subject to:

(A)       a risk assessment being carried out in order to safeguard the children due to multiple user groups being on the site;  and

(B)       a business case being undertaken to demonstrate the long term sustainability of Parkfield for the youth of Torbay.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

Councillor Parrott’s and Councillor Haddock’s original motion was then considered by the Council which was agreed, as set out below:

(i)         that the proposal to relocate the Medical Tuition Service in MyPlace, Parkfield, Paignton be approved;

(ii)        that the Director of Children's Services be requested to ensure that parents and service users of the Medical Tuition Service are fully engaged in the implementation of the proposed changes to their service provision;

(iii)       that the proposal to fund the capital expenditure associated with (i) above from any unallocated sums within the existing Children's Services Capital Programme and up to £600,000 of prudential borrowing funded from any future premises savings and any shortfall being included in the 2019/2020 revenue budget be approved;

(iv)      that the Torbay Youth Trust has previously been approved and awaits a precise timetable for the release of a budget and development funds that will now be a matter of the utmost priority;

(v)       that the creation of a Parkfield User Group comprising representatives of young people, the Youth Trust, the Medical Tuition Service, Eat That Frog, Paignton Town Community Partnership, Torbay Community Development Trust, Torbay Community Partnerships and the Overview and Scrutiny Board be approved;  and

(vi)      that the Parkfield User Group be established as soon as possible and be asked to consider how the use of MyPlace can be maximised.