To consider the submitted report on the above.

Members considered proposals for the submission of the Phase 3 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Torre Abbey Restoration Programme, as set out in the submitted report.  It was noted, that if the HLF bid was successful, the Phase 3 project would help protect the Abbey for the benefit of the local community and visitors.

Elected Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Amil seconded the motion, as set out below:

(i)         that the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be authorised to submit a Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5 million for Phase 3 of the Torre Abbey Restoration Programme as described in this report and appendices, to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by 14 June 2018;  and

(ii)        that the Council agrees in principle to borrow up to £1.15 million to provide the financial commitment outlined in the submitted report and required for submission of the Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5 million indicated in (i) above with the final decision to revert to Council once the final outcome of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid is known.

Councillor Tyerman proposed and Councillor Brooks seconded an amendment, which was accepted by Elected Mayor Oliver and Councillor Amil and was then incorporated in the original motion as set out below:

(i)         that the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be authorised to submit a Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5 million for Phase 3 of the Torre Abbey Restoration Programme as described in the submitted report and appendices, to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by 14 June 2018;

(ii)        that the Council agrees in principle to borrow up to £1.15 million to provide the financial commitment outlined in the submitted report and required for submission of the Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5 million indicated in (i) above with the final decision to revert to Council once the final outcome of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid is known;  and

(iii)       that during the Torre Abbey round 2 development programme the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be requested to further investigate the broader implications of constructing a new footpath from the seafront esplanade to Torre Abbey as currently proposed.  This remit to also look at the feasibility of enhancing the existing path which leads from the seafront to Torre Abbey and the Riviera International Conference Centre thereby delivering multiple benefits.

During the debate Councillor Pentney proposed and Councillor Darling (M) seconded a further amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be authorised to submit a Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5m for Phase 3 of the Torre Abbey Restoration Programme as described in this report and appendices, subject to an alternative for the proposed pathway over the pitch and putt facility over Torre Abbey Meadows, to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by 14 June 2018;

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

At this juncture, a procedural motion (in accordance with Standing Order A16.11(a)(iv)) to move to the vote was proposed by Councillor Haddock and seconded by Councillor Thomas (D).  On being put to the vote, the procedural motion was declared carried. 

Elected Mayor Oliver’s and Councillor Amil’s original motion (incorporating Councillors Tyerman’s and Brooks’ amendment) was then put to the vote and was agreed by the Council, as set out below:

(i)         that the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be authorised to submit a Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5 million for Phase 3 of the Torre Abbey Restoration Programme as described in the submitted report and appendices, to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by 14 June 2018;

(ii)        that the Council agrees in principle to borrow up to £1.15 million to provide the financial commitment outlined in the submitted report and required for submission of the Heritage Lottery Fund (Round 1) application for £4.5 million indicated in (i) above with the final decision to revert to Council once the final outcome of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid is known;  and

(iii)       that during the Torre Abbey round 2 development programme the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services be requested to further investigate the broader implications of constructing a new footpath from the seafront esplanade to Torre Abbey as currently proposed.  This remit to also look at the feasibility of enhancing the existing path which leads from the seafront to Torre Abbey and the Riviera International Conference Centre thereby delivering multiple benefits.

(Note:  Councillors Bent, Pentney and Sanders left the meeting after consideration of Minute 15.)