The meeting was opened with a prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Harvey, Hutchings, Law, Maddison, Nicolaou and Tolchard.

The Chief Executive advised that Councillor Virdee was due to arrive later in the meeting.

(Note:  Councillor Virdee arrived during consideration of Minute 48.)

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 20 November 2025.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay proposed and Councillor Foster seconded a motion, which was agreed (unanimously) by the Council as set out below:

that the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the Council, held on 20 November 2025, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay.

No interests were declared.

To receive any communications or announcements from the:

Ø  Civic Mayor, including presentation of the Gold National Britain in Bloom Award to Torquay in Bloom and presentation of long service awards to Councillors and staff;

Ø  Leader of the Council;

Ø  Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator; or

Ø  Chief Executive.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay and the Chief Executive presented long service certificates to both Councillors and officers.  The following Councillors and officers received certificates in recognition of their dedication to public service in Torbay:

Councillor Darren Cowell

Councillor Amanda Darling

Councillor Tyerman

Councillor Barbara Lewis (presented by the Chief Executive, Anne-Marie Bond)

Officers:

Barbara Ashplant

Joanne Beer

Lisa Russell

The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay announced that Torquay in Bloom had been awarded the Gold National Britain in Bloom Award and presented the award to Tim Eley (Torquay in Bloom Partnership) and Mark Hackett and Laura Gough (SWISCo) at the meeting.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay further announced that the Civic Carol Service was due to be held on Sunday 14 December 2025 at 3.30 pm, at St Pauls Church, Preston, and all Members, along with family and friends, were invited to attend.

The Leader of the Council provided an update on the following developments for Torbay, which strengthened our visitor offer and boosted the local economy:

a)       Libéma would be managing Paignton Zoo and its sister site in Newquay from January 2026, bringing commercial expertise in conservation-led attractions and high-quality visitor experiences. The transition was expected to secure the long-term future of the Zoos, protect jobs, and strengthen the local economy.  The Leader of the Council extended thanks to the Zoo’s staff and the Wild Planet Trust for their continued dedication during the transition;  and

b)       the Bay of Lights continued to grow, with the addition of an ice-skating rink, to enhance Torbay’s winter offer. Residents and visitors were encouraged to book sessions early as some were close to selling out.

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 A12.  The paper also contained the answers to the questions which had been prepared by Councillors Billings, Brook, Bye, Chris Lewis, Strang, David Thomas, Jaqueline Thomas, Tranter and Tyerman was circulated prior to the meeting.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay advised that she had accepted an urgent question from Councillor Steve Darling and in accordance with Standing Order A12.2(ii).

Supplementary questions were put and answered by Councillors Billings, Bye, Chris Lewis, Strang, Tranter and Tyerman arising from their responses to the questions in respect of the urgent question and questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 13, 16, 17 and 18.

After 30 minutes, the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that, in accordance with Standing Order A12.7, the remaining questions (questions 21 and 22) where deemed as withdrawn.

(Note:  Councillor Virdee arrived at the meeting during this item.)

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and a report that provides an overview of the current Council Tax Support Scheme and the proposed change for the financial year 2026/27.

The Council considered the recommendations of the Cabinet and the submitted report, on an overview of the current local Council Tax Support Scheme and recommendations for a proposed change to the Scheme to be introduced for 2026/27, and in accordance with statutory requirements.  Members noted that the Council Tax Support Scheme provided a discount on Council Tax for those households that were on a low income, to assist them in paying their Council Tax.

Councillor Tyerman proposed and Councillor David Thomas seconded a motion, which as agreed by the Council as set out below:

that the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 be amended as follows:

1.       the financial support to some of our working age households within our community is increased by aligning the income bands that allocate Council Tax Support discounts for single parents with couples that have children.  By making this change it will help to alleviate the cumulative effects of welfare cuts and rising household costs;  and

2.       income bands will be increased by the September 2025 Consumer Price Index inflation rate, at 3.8%.

To consider a report on the above.

Members considered the submitted report which set out the Council tax base for Council Tax purposes for 2026/2027.

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

1.       that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Torbay Council as its Council Tax base for the year 2026/27 is 49,488.48 as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report;  and

2.       that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Torbay Council as the Council Tax base for Brixham Town Council for the year 2026/27 is 6,622.66 as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report.

To consider the recommendation of the Cabinet and a report that provides a high-level budget summary of the Council’s revenue and capital position for the financial year 2025/26, reviewing budgets and considering year-end forecasts.

The Council received the Cabinet’s recommendations and the submitted report on the high-level budget summary of the Council's revenue and capital income and expenditure for quarter 2 (up to 30 September 2025) of the 2025/2026 financial year.  The projected overspend of £1.223 million was noted.

The submitted report also included recommendations for revisions to the Council’s Capital Investment Plan, with a total revised capital budget of £101.756 million for the period up to 2027/28 and a revised budget for £79.730 million for 2025/26.

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

that the revisions to the Capital Investment Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

To consider the recommendation of the Cabinet and a report that sets out the Corporate Parenting Strategy which builds on previous versions and represents the Council’s unrelenting intention to fulfil its role to the highest standard thereby ensuring that our children and young people receive the best possible support.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet and the submitted report on the adoption of the revised Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2028 which formed part of the Council’s Policy Framework.  Members noted the revised Strategy built on previous versions and represented the Council’s unrelenting intention to fulfil its role to the highest standard thereby ensuring that our children and young people received the best possible support.

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

that the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2026-2028 set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved.

To consider the recommendation and a report that seeks approval of the Licensing Act 2003 - Proposed Licensing Statement of Principles (Licensing Policy) 2026 – 2031.

The Council considered the recommendations of the Cabinet and the submitted report on a review of the Licensing Statement of Principles 2026 to 2031, which outlined how the Council would administer applications and regulate licensable activities.  It also specified under what circumstances applications may be successful and the measures necessary to promote the licensing objectives.

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

that the Licensing Act Statement of Principles (Licensing Policy) 2026 to 2031, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report be adopted with effect from 7 January 2026.

To consider a report on the above.

The Council considered the Cabinet’s recommendations and the submitted report on funding for solutions to improve streetlighting to reduce their energy consumption and make financial savings.

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

that prudential borrowing for the sum of £2,154,162 over a 10 year period based on a 4.65% interest rate be approved, for the purchase and hosted service of Telensa Computer Management System, and the purchase and upgrade of 3,431 new LED lanterns to upgrade Streetlighting in Torbay.

(Note:  the submitted report set out a revised officer recommendation (published after the Cabinet meeting on 18 November 2025) which clarified the borrowing arrangements.)

To consider a report that sets out the required action to enable commencement of preparations for a possible Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process for the delivery of a relocated Waste Transfer Station and Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on land adjacent to the existing operation.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet and the submitted report on funding for capital investment for the expansion of Torbay Waste Transfer Station and Household Waste Recycling Centre, Paignton, to ensure the facilities were compliant and met central government directives.

A Liberal Democrat amendment was published prior to the meeting which was incorporated by Councillor Billings in his motion below.

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

1.       that Council delegate to the Chief Finance Officer the approval of the expenditure of monies (including by prudential borrowing if necessary) required to cover the acquisition of the land to enable the development of Waste Facilities for Torbay Council and associated statutory and non-statutory waste and recycling operations Street identified red on the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, and any land, interests or rights as may be required for the scheme, either by agreement or by CPO, on the basis that there continues to be a clear business case for the development of waste facilities, which demonstrates how the monies are to be used, and how any prudential borrowing (if necessary) is to be repaid;  and

2.       that Council recommends to Cabinet that the Director of Pride in Place be requested to open up conversations with Devon County Council to explore the possibilities to enable Torbay Council residents to access the Brunel Road Recycling Centre, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, to encourage greater recycling and responsible waste disposal, and reduce fly tipping in Torbay and the surrounding area.

To note a report on the Treasury Management Mid – Year Review 2025/26.

The Council noted the review of Treasury Management activities during the first part of 2025/2026, as set out in the submitted report.