To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Independent Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Amil in place of Councillor Cowell.

To carry out a spotlight review on the English Riviera Airshow:

Key Lines of Enquiry:

·         how is the is it funded?

·         how does our spend and format on the English Riviera Air Show compare to other air shows?

·         what should the English Riviera Air Show look like moving forward?

·         how will it be delivered in the future?

·         what is the social benefit of the Air Show? 

·         what other events could take place across Torbay as part of the Air Show?

·         how is the environmental impact of the Air Show measured?

·         how many tourists were drawn into the Air Show and how much did local businesses benefit?

(Note:  Members of the Air Show Working Party have been invited to take part in this meeting as well as representatives from the Business Forum; Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Chambers of Trade and Commerce; Brixham Town Council; English Riviera Business Improvement District ERTBID Company; and Paignton Town and Preston Community Partnership).

The Overview and Scrutiny Board undertook a spotlight review into the future of the English Riviera Airshow and examined the background report and supporting documents (full details of which can be found at https://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=218&MId=25482&Ver=4):

·                     English Riviera Airshow Evaluation 2023 Final Report;

·                     English Riviera Airshow Evaluation Report;

·                     Riviera Airshow 2024:  Learning points and suggestions for future Air Shows;

·                     Map of Airshow 2023 Event Space; and

·                     Overview and Scrutiny English Riviera Show Survey with Community Partnership Summary Results.

The Board heard evidence from the following:

·                     English Riviera Business Improvement District ERBID Company (Carolyn Custerson);

·                     the Business Forum (a statement was read out by Sally Cope on behalf of Steve Reynolds);

·                     Torquay Chamber of Trade and Commerce (Susie Colley);

·                     Paignton Chamber of Trade and Commerce (Sally Cope);

·                     Brixham Town Council (Brixham Town Councillor Michael Roseveare);

·                     Paignton Town and Preston Community Partnership (Alan Whytock); and

·                     Airshow Working Party Members (Councillors Carter and Jackie Thomas).

All representatives were fully in support of the continuance of the English Riviera Airshow and recognised the importance to the local economy as well as the social value and health and wellbeing benefits to local residents as well as visitors.  They felt that there were merits in expanding the offer of the Airshow and considering catering and other arrangements on satellite sites across the Bay to maximise income and opportunities.  There was a commitment from the English Riviera Business Improvement District (ERTBID) Company and Paignton Town and Preston Community Partnership to work together with the Council and any further provider to utilise their expertise and experience to help the Airshow grow and become financially sustainable.

However, the representative from the Torquay Chamber of Trade and Commerce had concerns over the future funding of the event, especially in light of the cost of living crisis and felt that more investment could be made on other smaller all year round local events to help attract people to Torbay.

The Board acknowledged that the English Rivera Airshow was a key flagship event for Torbay raising over £15 per £1 invested consultants commissioned by the Council and ERBID have assessed, but with rising costs alternative ways for delivering the Airshow was needed.  They considered how other air shows were delivered as well as options for delivering the Airshow differently e.g. 1 day event rather than a 2 day event, expanding it to a 3 day event starting on the Friday evening with music or other attractions being delivered as part of a larger experience, live casting the broadcast so people could know what was happening at other locations across Torbay etc.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services and Economic Growth – Councillor Chris Lewis, the Leader of the Council – Councillor David Thomas and the Divisional Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure – Lisa Tuck attended the meeting to listen to the discussion and responded to questions.  The recommendations from the Spotlight Review would be presented to the Cabinet meeting on 15 August 2023 for the Cabinet to make a final  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.