(Note:  This item was deferred from the last Council meeting on 22 September 2016.)

Members considered a motion in relation to Torbay’s position following the result of the national referendum to leave the European Union, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

Councillor Sanders proposed and Councillor Darling (S) seconded the motion as set out below:

That Torbay Council notes the result of the EU Referendum and now commits to doing everything that it can to protect, support and enhance the position of the residents of Torbay, in whatever new agreements are sought and reached with the European Union and its member countries and the rest of the world and otherwise, as a result of the Referendum decision to leave the EU.

In particular it believes:-

(1)          That the financial position of local authorities such as Torbay must not be further worsened and should, if possible, be improved.

(2)          That the Government must give an immediate guarantee that the existing rights of citizens of other European Union countries who are already living in Torbay will be protected.

(3)          That the importance of the Visitor economy and Hospitality Industry (including language schools and care homes) in Torbay must be recognised and their future protected.

(4)          That there must not be any weakening of environmental legislation, particularly relating to clean bathing waters, or employment rights that at present derive from EU directives.

(5)          That fisheries support for areas such as Torbay must be maintained by the Government following a withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy.

(6)          That convergence funding, European Social Funding, European Regional Development Funding and other EU derived funding must be replaced with funds from the UK Treasury.

This Council is further shocked by the reported increases in race hate crimes and antisocial behaviour directed at EU citizens in the UK and other ethnic minorities since the referendum result was announced, including in Torbay, and resolves to call an early meeting with the local police and other agencies to consider its response.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.3(a), the motion stood referred to the Mayor.

The Mayor rejected the motion as he felt it was premature and referred to the role of the Local Government Association in representing Local Government at a national level with the Government, and also the potential review by the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.  A record of his decision is attached to these minutes.