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, followed by a minute’s silence as a mark of respect in memory of former Councillor Porter and Captain, Sir Tom Moore.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor John Thomas.

To receive any communications or announcements from:

i)          the Civic Mayor – this will include a joint presentation from Torbay Community Development Trust, Age UK and Brixham Does Care on the work they have been doing with the community during Covid-19;

ii)         the Leader of the Council (including an update on the Heart of the South West Joint Committee);

iii)        the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator; and

iv)        the Interim Chief Executive.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay welcomed Tracey Cabache from Torbay Community Development Trust, Helen Harman from Age UK and James Sparks from Brixham Does Care to the meeting.  Members then received a presentation from Ms Cabache, Ms Harman and Mr Sparks on the collaborative work that their organisations have been doing to assist the community during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Worshipful the Mayor thanked Torbay Community Development Trust, Age UK and Brixham Does Care for supporting the community through such challenging times and for their ongoing work.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced that this week was Race Equality week and informed Members that Race Equality week was a UK-wide initiative aimed at uniting organisations and individuals in activities to address issues affecting ethnic minority employees.  The Worshipful the Mayor advised that this year’s theme was accountability and transparency and highlighted the importance for us all to recognise the need to continue to improve our stance on race equality within all that we do.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the plight of carers and care home staff during the Covid-19 Pandemic and thanked them for their hard work.  The Leader of the Council also welcomed the opportunity to speak with some of Torbay’s foster carers during Practice Week and expressed how keen he was for foster carers to be appropriately recognised in the prioritisation for Covid-19 vaccination.

The Interim Chief Executive informed the meeting that as part of Race Equality Week she had, as an employer, made a pledge to take robust action with a zero tolerance approach to racism.

The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator thanked Members who attended the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Review Panel on 3 February 2021 and advised Members that the Panel’s recommendations would be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 17 February 2021.  Councillor Howgate also welcomed the appointment of Jacqui Warren as the Council’s Climate Change Officer.

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 paper also contained the answers to the questions which had been prepared by Councillors Cowell, Steve Darling, Law, Long, Morey, O’Dwyer and Stockman was circulated prior to the meeting.

Supplementary questions were put and answered by Councillors Morey, O’Dwyer and Long arising from their responses to the questions in respect of questions 2, 9, 10 and 11.  Councillor Long agreed to provide a further written response in respect of supplementary question 1.

The following items form part of the Council’s Annual Budget setting process and will be deferred for consideration at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on 11 February 2021.

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 11 February 2021 to enable full consideration to be given to the implications of the proposals set out in the reports and documentation circulated on 27 January 2021.