(i)            that the proposed renewal of the current shared Trading Standards Service arrangement with Devon County Council, Somerset County Council and Torbay Council for a ten-year period starting from 01 April 2021 be approved; and

(ii)          that the proposed extension of the current shared service arrangement with Devon County Council, Somerset County Council and Torbay Council for delivery of the Trading Standards Service to also include Plymouth City Council be approved.

The existing Partnership will be dissolved and replaced with the new arrangements from the 1 April 2021, the proposal is seeking support in principle.

The only other option would be to bring the service back under the management of Torbay Council, though this would entail greater costs, as well as require new additional management capacity.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 12 October 2020 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

On 1 May 2017, Torbay Council entered into a shared services agreement with Devon County Council and Somerset County Council for the provision of a joint Trading Standards Service.  Approval is being sought to extend the service to include Plymouth City Council and renew the current shared Trading Standards Service arrangement for a ten year period starting from 1 April 2021.

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

None.