To consider the submitted report on the proposed next steps for the Community Governance Review and the recommendations of Cabinet as set out in the Record of Decision which will be published following the Cabinet Meeting on 9 July 2019.

Following the Council’s launch of a community governance review, the Council considered the recommendations of the Cabinet (as set out in the Cabinet Record of Decision and submitted report) in response to the first phase of consultation and draft recommendations to establish parish/town councils for the second phase of consultation. 

It was noted the proposal to introduce new parish/town councils across Torbay would allow for continued provision of local services that the Council would be unable to resource in the future and would promote community engagement and effective local government at the most local level.

Councillor Carter proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the following be recommended to Council to be agreed as the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review of Torbay, to be the subject of a second phase of consultation with local electors, residents, organisations and interested parties to run for a period of 8 weeks, from Monday 2 September to Friday 25 October 2019:

·         that two new parishes be created within Torbay – one entitled Torquay Parish covering the wards of Barton with Watcombe, Cockington with Chelston, Ellacombe, Shiphay, St Marychurch, Tormohun and Wellswood and the other entitled Paignton Parish covering the wards of Clifton with Maidenway, Collaton St Mary, Goodrington with Roselands, Kings Ash, Preston and Roundham with Hyde.  For the ward of Churston with Galmpton, that further consultation be undertaken to determine whether it should be within the Paignton Parish, or whether it should be included within the boundaries for Brixham Town Council;

·         that councils be established to serve the new parishes of Torquay and Paignton with effect from 1 April 2020 (note that once established a parish council may decide to call itself a town council);

·         that the new parish/town councils for Torquay and Paignton each be divided into wards for the purposes of electing parish councillors – the ward boundaries and number of councillors to be elected for each ward to be the same as the existing arrangements for those wards on Torbay Council;

·         that Torbay Council set a maximum Band D precept of no more than £90.00 per annum for each of the new parish/town councils in their first year of operation; and

·         That no changes be made to the status or electoral arrangements for Brixham Town Council, with further consultation to be undertaken to determine whether the ward of Churston with Galmpton should be within the Paignton Parish, or whether it should be included within the boundaries for Brixham Town Council; and

(ii)       that the Council be recommended to amend the terms of reference for the community governance review by the adoption of the revised timetable attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report and republished.

During the debate Councillor Chris Lewis proposed and Councillor Hill seconded an amendment to the motion (which was circulated prior to the meeting) as follows:

(i)         Further to the results of the recent consultation when less than 15% of those responding requested Town or Parish Councils to be introduced across the un-Parished area of Torbay, this council agrees to support its community and commit no further work or resources in to this project;  and

(ii)        that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to take any necessary action to lawfully conclude the Community Governance Review as soon as possible and with an outcome of no change to the existing arrangements.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

During the debate Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor John Thomas seconded a further amendment to the motion as follows:

(iii)       That this Council commits to accepting the wishes of the residents of each of the areas being considered for new Town Councils in determining whether to proceed with the introduction of such Councils in each of the proposed areas.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

Councillor Carter’s and Councillor Cowell’s original motion was then considered by the Council which was agreed, as set out below:

(i)         that the following be agreed as the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review of Torbay, to be the subject of a second phase of consultation with local electors, residents, organisations and interested parties to run for a period of 8 weeks, from Monday 2 September to Friday 25 October 2019:

·         that two new parishes be created within Torbay – one entitled Torquay Parish covering the wards of Barton with Watcombe, Cockington with Chelston, Ellacombe, Shiphay, St Marychurch, Tormohun and Wellswood and the other entitled Paignton Parish covering the wards of Clifton with Maidenway, Collaton St Mary, Goodrington with Roselands, Kings Ash, Preston and Roundham with Hyde.  For the ward of Churston with Galmpton, that further consultation be undertaken to determine whether it should be within the Paignton Parish, or whether it should be included within the boundaries for Brixham Town Council;

·         that councils be established to serve the new parishes of Torquay and Paignton with effect from 1 April 2020 (note that once established a parish council may decide to call itself a town council);

·         that the new parish/town councils for Torquay and Paignton each be divided into wards for the purposes of electing parish councillors – the ward boundaries and number of councillors to be elected for each ward to be the same as the existing arrangements for those wards on Torbay Council;

·         that Torbay Council set a maximum Band D precept of no more than £90.00 per annum for each of the new parish/town councils in their first year of operation; and

·         That no changes be made to the status or electoral arrangements for Brixham Town Council, with further consultation to be undertaken to determine whether the ward of Churston with Galmpton should be within the Paignton Parish, or whether it should be included within the boundaries for Brixham Town Council; and

(ii)       that the terms of reference for the community governance review be amended by the adoption of the revised timetable attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report and republished.