(i)         That the undertaking of the ‘How do we make BAME lives matter in Torbay’ Review as outlined in the draft Scoping Document and Timetable be approved; and

(ii)        That the membership of the How do we make BAME lives matter in Torbay Review Panel comprise 5 councillors (2 Conservative, 2 Liberal Democrat and 1 Independent) and that the Review Panel identify relevant interested parties to be invited to attend meetings.

Torbay Council has a Community and Corporate Plan that is based on ensuring our local community thrives. Therefore, not only does it have a legal duty but also a commitment and responsibility to ensure that all sections of our community thrive and the review will enable the Council to reflect on whether this is the case in Torbay.

Torbay Council has considered a number of options to respond to the concern which have included approaches to look at the issue within different areas of the council but it is felt that this approach could be fragmented and would not deliver a holistic view or provide answers to the questions the review will seek to pose.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 24 August 2020 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny)

In the light of the recent protests relating to the Black Lives Matter agenda due to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA in May 2020 and protests in cities such as London and Bristol in the UK this scoping document has been produced for Cabinet to discuss and agree Torbay Council’s response to this issue.

The draft scoping document set out in Appendix One to the submitted report suggests a holistic, inclusive and comprehensive approach to exploring the issue of racism in Torbay which engages with the community and allows them the space and time to voice their experiences and views to civic leaders and local and national decision makers.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet as set out above.

None.