The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that, as the meeting was being held remotely via Zoom during the Corona Virus pandemic, the meeting would follow the Remote Meeting Standing Orders with all voting being taken by roll call throughout the meeting.

The meeting was then opened with a prayer.

To respond to the submitted questions asked under Standing Order A12.

Members received a paper detailing questions, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order A13.  The answer to question 5 contained exempt information and was circulated separately.

Supplementary questions were put and answered by Councillors Cowell, Law, Long, Morey and, Stockman, arising from their responses to the questions in respect of questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 16 and 21.

To consider the submitted report on the Calendar of future Council and other meetings.

The Council considered the submitted report setting out the proposed calendar of meetings for 2020/2023. 

Councillor Carter proposed and Councillor Brown seconded a motion which was agreed (unanimously), as set out below:

(i)         that the calendar of meetings for 2020 to 2023, set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved;

(ii)       that the meetings scheduled for 2020 to 2021 be held in accordance with the Standing Orders for Remote Meetings; and

(iii)       that meetings of the Employment Committee and Civic Committee be held on an ad-hoc basis, to be determined by the Head of Governance in consultation with the relevant Chairman/woman.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

The Council considered the submitted report for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) (land forming part of 89-95 Newton Road, Torquay)for the delivery of major highway improvements for Torquay Gateway Improvements, at Shiphay Lane and Lowes Bridge junction.  It was noted the CPO was required to enable the land to be acquired if agreement could not be reached by negotiation with the land owner.

Councillor Morey proposed and Councillor Mandy Darling seconded a motion which was agreed (unanimously), as set out below:

(i)         that negotiations with the landowner of 89-95 Newton Road, Torquay, for acquisition of the land required for the Torquay Gateway Highways Improvement – Shiphay Lane Junction to Lowes Bridge Junction Scheme be continued to completion and to acquisition by agreement where possible;

(ii)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services to make a Compulsory Purchase Order for the land required for the Torquay Gateway Improvement Scheme affecting land adjacent to the A3022 Newton Road in in the following terms:-

(iii)       that Torbay Council makes a Compulsory Purchase Order under sections 239, 240, 249, 250 and 260 of the Highways Act 1980 for the acquisition of all interests in the land (except those already owned by the Council) and new rights within areas shown (shaded pink for areas of land in respect of which all interests are to be acquired and shaded blue for the areas over which new rights are to be acquired) on plan number 8/6/11/3_143A, attached as Appendix 1 to the submitted report for the purpose of highway improvement;

(iv)      Subject to approval of (ii) above that the Director of Corporate Services and Operations be authorised to:-

a)            Take all necessary steps to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the Compulsory Purchase Order including the publication and service of all notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry;

b)           To acquire interests in land and new rights within the Compulsory Purchase Order either by agreement or compulsorily; and

c)            Approve agreements with the landowner setting out terms for the withdrawal of objections to the Order, including where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights form the Order.

To consider passing a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting prior to consideration of the following items on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)) is likely to be disclosed.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded the motion, which was agreed by the Council, as set out below:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting prior to consideration of the following items on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) is likely to be disclosed.

Prior to consideration of the items in Minutes 134 and 135 the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting.

To consider an exempt report in respect of a change to an Economic Regeneration investment opportunity previously approved by the Council.

The Council considered matters relating to an existing economic regeneration investment opportunity.  Members received details of the proposals as set out in the exempt report circulated prior to the meeting.

The decision of the Council meeting is restricted due to exempt information contained within the decision.

To consider the submitted exempt report in respect of guarantees for the new SWISco organisation.

The Council considered the submitted exempt report which provided details of guarantees in connection with the new SWISco company.

The decision of the Council meeting is restricted due to exempt information contained within the decision.