The meeting was opened with a prayer.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 January 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 January 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay.

The following non-pecuniary interests were declared:

To receive any communications or announcements from the Civic Mayor, the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator, the Council’s representative on the Heart of the South West Joint Committee or the Chief Executive.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay announced that she was holding a Charity Civic Dinner on Friday 20 March 2020 at the Livermead House Hotel, Torquay, in aid of her charities, the RNLI and Torquay Museum.

The Leader of the Council:

a)         referred to the decision of the Cabinet to introduce Crowdfunding Torbay which would grow capacity for community-led projects;  and

b)         advised Torbay Council was working with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust in making awards to 11 voluntary sector organisations and community groups in Torbay to the value of £180,000.  The projects, funded from the Better Care Fund, included activities with community groups in areas of deprivation, organisations focused on healthy eating and skills, homelessness, support with benefits for isolated people, good neighbour support groups and a scheme related to hospital discharge and the use of volunteers.

Approximately 1006 valid written signatures from residents and people who work or study in Torbay.  In accordance with Standing Orders the petition will be considered at this meeting.

In accordance with Standing Order A23, the Council received a petition from Torbay residents requesting a moratorium on any roll-out of 5G infrastructure on Council managed property until 5G was proven to be safe and the technology insurable (approximately 1,006 signatures).

At the invitation of the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay, Julie Harrison addressed the Council.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that, under the Council’s Petition Scheme, as the petition had reached the 1,000 signature threshold it was subject to debate by the Council.

The Monitoring Officer outlined the options open to the Council.

Councillor Stockman proposed and Councillor Dart seconded the motion, which was agreed by the Council as set out below:

that, in light of the concerns raised by the petitioners in respect of the potential harm of 5G to Torbay’s residents, the Overview and Scrutiny Board is commissioned to undertake further investigation of the matter (including participating in Devon County Council’s Spotlight Review on Cyber-Security and Health Concerns over 5G Rollout).

To respond to the submitted questions asked under Standing Order A13.

Members received a paper detailing questions, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order A13. The paper also contained the answers to the questions which had been prepared by Councillors Amil and Morey and was circulated prior to the meeting.

There were no supplementary questions arising from the responses to the questions.

To note that the attached motion, notice of which has been given in accordance with Standing Order A13 by the members indicated, has been deferred in accordance with Standing Order A13.2(d).

Members received a motion in relation to a loan facility from the Council to the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust to enable the creation of an Occombe Farm visitor attraction, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A13.

In accordance with Standing Order A13.2(d), the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay reported that consideration of the motion stood deferred to a subsequent meeting to enable a report from the Council’s Finance Officer to be prepared on the financial implications resulting from the motion.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders (A9.1) to select, by elimination ballot, the Civic Mayor-Elect and Deputy Civic Mayor-Elect for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders (A9.1), the Council was requested to consider selecting the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay-Elect and Deputy Civic Mayor-Elect for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year.

Councillor Long proposed and Councillor Amil seconded a motion, which was agreed (unanimously) by the Council as set out below:

(i)         that Councillor Manning be selected as Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay (Elect) for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year;  and

(ii)        that Councillor Mandy Darling be selected as Deputy Civic Mayor (Elect) for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Long seconded the motion, which was agreed (unanimously) by the Council, as set out below:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item 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 item in Minute 107 the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting.

To consider the submitted exempt report and recommendation of the Cabinet on the above.

The Council considered the recommendations of the Cabinet on funding for Torbay Leisure Centre and the Riviera International Conference Centre, as set out in the submitted exempt report.

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

(Note:  Prior to consideration of Minute 107, Councillors Hill and Loxton declared their non-pecuniary interests and withdrew from the meeting.)

To consider any recommendations from the Cabinet on investment opportunities.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that there were no recommendations from the Cabinet and therefore this item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The following items form part of the Council’s Annual Budget setting process or are awaiting their reports and will be deferred for consideration at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on 13 February 2020.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that in accordance with Standing Orders F2.13 and F3.11 in relation to the Budget and Policy Framework the remaining items on the agenda were referred to an adjourned meeting of Council to be held on 13 February 2020 to enable full consideration to be given to the implications of the proposals set out in the reports and documentation circulated on 5 February 2020.