To receive any communications or announcements from the Civic Mayor to include an update on the activities of RAF Brize Norton (as detailed in the attached letter), the Leader of the Council, the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator, the Council’s representative on the Heart of the South West Joint Committee or the Interim Chief Executive.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay shared a letter she had received from Royal Air Force Brize Norton.  The Worshipful Mayor advised Members that the letter provided an insight on the activities of at Royal Air Force Brize Norton and highlighted the wide variety of support that they provide, particularly the peace missions they have undertaken.

The Leader of the Council requested all Members to promote the Torbay Lottery Small Grants Fund, Members were advised that there was £22,000 to be allocated and any local charity, voluntary or community group could apply.

The Leader of the Council also informed Members that he had met with colleagues at South West Water to discuss all year round water quality alerts for water users.  The Leader of the Council also advised that he would be meeting Great Western Railways in the near future to champion for improved services to London and better local connections at Newton Abbot.

At the request of the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, updated the Council on his attendance, as the Council’s representative, at the Heart of the South West Joint Committee held on 29 January 2021 including:

·         Formal agreement of the Building Back Better Plan which provides a framework for making the case with Government for investment in Heart of the SW and helps guide investment decisions made by members of the partnership as part of the area’s recovery work; and

·         Discussed the Coastal Communities Plan and received updates on the Climate Emergency and Peninsula Transport Board.

The Interim Chief Executive led a minute’s silence for a serving member of staff, David Needham who had sadly passed away.

The Interim Chief Executive informed Members that 26 February 2021 would be Dr Caroline Dimond’s last day as the Council’s Director of Public Health.  The Interim Chief Executive thanked Caroline for everything she had achieved during her time with Torbay Council and wished her well in her retirement.