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

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling, announced the sad passing of Councillor Doggett and as a mark of respect Councillor Long read the poem ‘Abou Ben Adhem’ written by Leigh Hunt.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Law, welcomed Jackie Sims who had been appointed the Divisional Director for Children’s Services.  Councillor Law also informed Members of the contents of a letter from the Children’s Services Commissioner in respect of the assessment of Torbay Council’s leadership capacity and intervention for Children’s Services, which showed that positive steps had been taken to improve performance within the Service, whilst recognising that there was still a lot of work to do before Torbay was in the position it would wish to be in.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Councillor Stockman announced that following advertisement and interview, Lincoln Sargent had been appointed to the role of Director of Public Health.

In addition, Councillor Stockman referred to the large number of positive Covid-19 cases in Brixham and implored Members to spread the message to all residents to take care, continue to social distance and self-isolate when asked to do so.

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, Councillor Morey informed Members that the Department for Transport had awarded the Peninsula Transport Group £425,000 to deliver a number of initiatives such as strategic economic corridors and a carbon transition strategy.  Councillor Morey advised that he would seek to arrange an all member briefing in due course.

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 the attached motion, notice of which has been given in accordance with Standing Order A13 by the members indicated.

To consider a report that seeks the adoption of the Torbay Heritage Strategy.

To consider a report on the above.

To consider a report that seeks approval of the Licensing Statement of Principles 2021 to 2026.

To note the annual early years sufficiency update.

The Cabinet noted a report that provided an annual update on the availability of childcare places to meet the requirements for funded children in Torbay.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services informed Members that whilst there had been some closures of private early years providers, there were sufficient places to accommodate the children who were displaced elsewhere.  There has not been a child who has been left unable to access a suitable childcare place as a result of these closures.  Councillor Law advised Members that the early years sector had responded well to the challenge of Covid-19 with the service not receiving reports of any parent not being able to access a childcare place if they needed one.

To consider a report that provides members with the background of the current scheme and recommendations for the 2020/21 local Council Tax Support scheme.

To consider a proposal to undertake a procurement exercise to identify a provider to supply, implement and maintain a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

To consider a report that seeks approval of a leasehold disposal to Pier Point Restaurant and Retail Unit, Torbay Road, Torquay.

This item was deferred until the Cabinet Meeting on 15 December 2020.

To note the submitted report on the latest budget monitoring position and to consider any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Cabinet noted the contents of the submitted report which provided a high level budget summary of the Council’s revenue and capital income and expenditure for 2020/2021.  Members noted that the report had been prepared prior to the announcement of the second lockdown, which would have further impact on the revenue budget.  Full discussion on the report had taken place at the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 11 November 2020.