To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25 May 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25 May 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Cowell advised that due to the Covid-19 Pandemic there was a significant reduction in the number of bus journeys last year, resulting in a £950,000 underspend on the Concessionary Bus Fare Grant.  Therefore proposals will be presented to Council in July to allocate these funds.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Law informed Members that she had received a letter of thanks from the Chair of Governors for Torquay Academy in respect of the food vouchers provided to families during the Easter Holidays.

The Cabinet Member for Instructure, Environment and Culture, Councillor Morey, informed Members that the Council were investing an additional £33,000 in modernising public toilets across Torbay for this summer season.  The aim was to increase capacity, improve cleanliness, accessibility and surveillance to tackle anti-social behaviour.  The public were also being asked to respect staff during this period of high demand, additional cleaning staff will be employed with toilets also remaining open until 10 pm during the summer months.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling congratulated the following local Members of the Public on being bestowed a Queens Honour:

·         David Cox - for services to the community in Teignbridge during Covid-19;

·         Hilary Ann Walden - of Paignton for services to Basket Making and Heritage Crafts;

·         Nina Pierson - of Paignton for services to the community in Devon during Covid-19 (Eat That Frog);

·         David Musgrove - Co-founder and Chair, British Disabled Water Ski Association. For services to Disabled People in Torbay; and

·         Trevor Staveley - Co-ordinator, Torbay Street Pastors. For services to Vulnerable People & to the Promotion of Safer Streets in Torbay.

To consider any other items the Chairman decides are urgent.

The Cabinet considered the item in Minute 220, and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that it was urgent by reason of special circumstances i.e. the matter having arising since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

The Cabinet considered the following matters, full details of which (including the Cabinet’s decisions and recommendations to Council) are set out in the Record of Decisions appended to these Minutes.

To consider a report that provides an update and seeks approval for the Oldway Trust to be confirmed as the Council’s primary community partner in respect of Oldway Mansion, the estate and gardens.

To consider a report that seeks approval for the Council to enter into an Agreement for Lease to allow the existing tenant to invest in and extend their premises and then, following the completion of the work, to have a new lease.

To consider a report that recommends the removal of the Investment and Regeneration Fund Strategy from the Policy Framework and renames and reviews the current Torbay Economic Growth Fund criteria. 

To consider a report that sets out the current arrangements and plans for the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF).

This report was noted.

To consider a report that seeks agreement of the Social Value Procurement Policy.

To consider a report that proposes the appointment of Civica as the preferred supplier for the new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and allocate the budget accordingly to implement and maintain the new system.

To consider a report on the above.