Torbay Council Cabinet 21 July 2026

[00:01:21]Very good evening and welcome to this evening's cabinet meeting on Tuesday the 21st of July. Uh my name is councelor David Thomas and I am the uh council leader and the chair this evening. So before we start, a little bit of housekeeping for those of you in the room. Uh we are not expecting a fire alarm. So should the alarm sound, please exit via the nearest exit and gather in the car park next to the library cuz I please ask you to ensure that your mobile phones and electronic devices are turned to silent and that they are not placed near the microphone stations.

[00:02:02]Please note that we are using hybrid meeting arrangements this evening with officers and counselors who are not members of the cabinet having the option to join the meeting via Zoom. And we are also live streaming this meeting via the council's YouTube channel to encourage more people to engage in our public meetings. Can I please remind everyone to use their microphones uh when speaking and of course turn them off when finished. Finally, anyone attending the meeting remotely must use their raise hand function when they wish to speak to declare any interests at the appropriate time. If you are anyone attending the meeting remotely loses connection, the meeting will continue and you'll have the option to follow the meeting via the YouTube live stream. So let's start with apologies this evening, please.

[00:02:58]>> Chair, we have an apology from councelor Chris Lewis.

[00:03:02]>> Thank you very much indeed. Item two is the minutes to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the cabinet meeting on the 9th of June this year.

[00:03:11]Happy to remove that from the chair. Do I have a seconder, please? Thank you very much indeed. Councelor B. All those in favor, please indicate.

[00:03:21]>> Anonymous chair.

[00:03:22]>> Thank you. Disclosure of interests. If any member has a pecunary or a non-precary interest, if you could declare that at this point, please.

[00:03:34]Non-declared. So we move straight into this evening's program which is uh item six, the acquisition and redevelopment of projects four and five of the accommodation repurposing program. And I invite councelor Tyman to talk us through this one. Thank you.

[00:03:52]>> Thank you chair. Um members you you'll remember that uh some nearly 18 months ago council approved 20 million pound headroom of borrowing to uh support schemes under the accommodation repurchasing uh banner. Um we have uh devel developed and delivered three schemes already and I'm bringing to you this evening um the proposal that we as a cabinet um in accordance with the decision of council back in May of last year uh approve the business cases for schemes four and five um of the project. The detailed um business cases are laid out in exempt appendix uh that you've got attached. Um they have um been developed over a significant period of time. Um and I I think and hope that you will see what is intended in those schemes. If I can briefly summarize without the need to go into into part two, these two projects will um utilize 3,117,273 pounds of required borrowing from that capital headroom. The rest of the funding for the two schemes will come predominantly from Homes England grant.

[00:05:30]Um, and it remind people we haven't yet applied for the Homes England grant, we are confident that we will get that level, but technically until it's signed off by Homes England, it is still a conditional aspect for these schemes to go ahead that that grant is obtained.

[00:05:49]Um and a quite a small amount of money from the accomod accommodation repurposing grant, the some 5 million in total that we got from the um combined county authority and from the leveling up agreement uh to support affordable housing in Tor Bay.

[00:06:10]Um the detail of how much is in the two each of the two um attached appendices.

[00:06:17]So if I can just then say one other aspect is a little bit different in these proposals than we've seen before.

[00:06:26]I think the council has recognized that there are some real advantages in saving the council cost or could be some real advantages in saving the council cost by putting specific cohorts of people who are within adult social care into properties of this nature.

[00:06:48]We haven't yet identified um a specific group to go into either of these two schemes, but we are giving delegated authority to the chief executive um so that she may if it is appropriate um increase the capital expenditure to cover any modifications that might be needed to the scheme to to meet the needs of a specific group. [snorts] So the principle is these two schemes will go ahead. They will probably be filled with people who are on the normal housing list. Um, very likely a lot of people are in temporary accommodation unless we identify an even more pressing group from within the adult social care budget and that more pressing group might need additional expenditure on these schemes.

[00:07:48]It's been decided to produce to proceed on that basis so that the schemes are not held up from proceeding while work is continuing to identify if there is such an appropriate group. Slightly complicated but I think that that I think it makes sense. We want to get on with it. We want to speed up delivery and therefore we are asking at the moment that that delegated responsibility be given to the chief executive.

[00:08:18]Um I'm not going to go into any further detail you in in this presentation um on the basis that you've all had the opportunity to read the far more detailed exempt business uh cases.

[00:08:32]Um, I'm happy to answer questions on those if need be, but recognizing that we would need to go in probably need to go into part two to do so. Um so if I then just repeat um the the main recommendation and read those out so that it's quite clear what we as a cabinet are deciding tonight that we would delegate to the director of regeneration in consultation with the director of finance and the cabinet member for housing and finance to acquire sites four and five subject to one the developer securing planning consents that are acceptable to to the council confir for conversion and refurbishment of the two properties.

[00:09:21]Secondly, that we receive an acceptable level of homes in a grant. Three, that we complete and to a satisfactory degree all relevant due diligence and that we have completion of an appropriate form of linked uh JCT design and build contract for the sites.

[00:09:42]We are we are to approve an overall total scheme cost for site 4 of 2,138,948 and for site 5 of 4,192,434 those scheme costs to include land purchase build contract internal on costs and project contingencies.

[00:10:06]And then then the new um thing I talked about delegate to the chief executive in consultation with the director of finance and the director of adult social care to determine the future use of the sites and in doing so to approve additional capital expenditure up to 15% of the overall scheme cost that provides adaptation of enhancement of the proposed scheme to facilitate the housing of a special cohort of adult social care need in either site if if that will result in additional revenue savings to the council.

[00:10:44]So that's the proposal. And just to finally say in terms of that last thing that the any additional funding that's needed to within that 15% we'd have to dis discuss how we met that but it may well have to be met from the adult social care budget if it cannot be afforded from any increased revenue within the housing scheme we're talking about.

[00:11:08]>> Thank you very much indeed councelor Thyman. Uh invite councelor B to second this.

[00:11:15]Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I'm absolutely delighted to second this recommendation.

[00:11:23]At a time when there's very little private development coming forward, particularly in Torque, I would like to stress the value in working with a local contractor in terms of the economic benefit and we we've got that established track record already.

[00:11:40]This will be our fourth and fifth homes or hotels hotels to homes project. The the only thing that I don't like about this report is it's suddenly become all about ARP which takes me back to Mr. Hodges in Dad's Army. I'm sure no one's old enough to remember him. Um who was the air raid precaution ward. So I think we should be talking about hotels to homes. that that is what this is well known as as our version perhaps should we say of Manchesterism whatever Manchesterism is it's an excellent report I want to say thank you to Council Tyman who's leading up with the political support to our housing program and to professional colleagues this as I say will be our fourth and fifth hotels to homes project following on of course from the St Kilders where we've seen cranes on the horizon there in Brixham. We will be dealing with crossways in a moment. We had the acquisition of Aria Heights and the property at Midvail and at the same time the YMCA are progressing with their project for accommodation for vulnerable youngsters. One of our super housing officers fed back to me or it came back to me indirectly through another officer how a former cared for young person in one of our purpose um accommodation not purpose-built accommodation but accommodation purposefully purposefully for care experience youngsters had said their life had been transformed. So a youngster who'd gone from placement to placement as sadly is often the case through his time in the care system now to have a home of their own. So these projects there's reference in the report that there may well be accommodation for care experienced young people. our caring experienced young people in the two properties that were acquired partly for that purpose but also at the first um of our hotels to home projects and there may well be in this but also there'll be specialist accommodation if if that is thought to be the right way forward within these new projects specialist accommodation so that people who might otherwise not be able to can live independently a benefit to them but also potentially benefit to the revenue account for this council as it would be less to provide accommodation of this type that than in other accommodation where they might be now. So it's what's not to like what's not to like about this project. I just there's one paragraph that I think sums it up very very well which if you will indulge me I will read out because it's all about bringing back to life older properties. So here we go. 2.4 site four can be converted into 10 one-bedroom twoperson flats. Site five can be converted into 19 one-bedroom one and twoerson and twobedroom threeperson flats. Both conversions will provide attractive commonal outside spaces and preserve two important attractive Victorian era properties. The part are part of the historic fabric of toi. All homes will be provided for social rent for households with a genuine local connection to bay. So hopefully with the support of homes England and I know we've established a very good relationship with homes England. We're confident that money will come and we know from our new um prime minister and his colleagues that they absolutely want to see projects like this come to fruition. We are confident we'll go forward and we are delivering this administration is delivering new homes for people in Tor Bay and so fantastic to to be able to support this. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

[00:15:54]Thank you very much indeed councelor Pie and as you uh summed up there what's not to like uh and on the back of that I will just move outside of the uh cabinet chamber uh first of all inviting uh the shadow cabinet member councelor Cowell uh for any comments or thoughts that he may have.

[00:16:18]Yes, thank you chair and um councelor B has stolen a bit of my thunder because I was going to refer in particular to 2.4 and reemphasize that all homes will be provided for social rent for households with a genuine local connection to to bay. I think that's so important because so many people believe that we're providing accommodation for people from outside of Torbay. um the current to bay I have to emphasize um I welcome the fact that these are general purpose um housing and I think it's sensible to have the flexibility to be able to provide for re some slight tweaks to any of those uh new homes um if it can be proven that it supports the needs of adult social services and thereby relieving the pressure on um the director of adult social care's budget um because we know how stretched the revenue budget is in that particular service. So I welcome the addition of um these the fourth and fifth projects. Um and as it's also been pointed out that these are delivering houses um and homes which can only help to deliver the much needed accommodation that we all know Torbate is desperate for. So thank you chair.

[00:17:46]>> Thank you very much indeed. So let's come back into the physical room and invite councelor long.

[00:17:54]>> Thank you very much uh Mr. Chairman. Um and just on the point that uh council time raised about the uh point three of the recommendation um I was just going to wonder if the cabinet would consider having uh an elected cabinet member having oversight of that decision as well. I just I just mentioned that um obviously more social rented homes are what Torbay needs uh given the numbers on the uh social housing waiting list and those in temporary accommodation. So obviously happy to be uh supportive. Um however I note that work will not start until the autumn. So presumably it'll be well into next year before uh residents actually uh move in. Um given that need that there is um it makes the decision of the administration to ditch the scheme at Preston down road which would have seen 50 affordable homes by now with people living in them and off the waiting list or temporary accommodation and of course that could have helped 50 people that councelor B was mentioning.

[00:18:56]Um um so I I just mentioned that um there is also a debate in the report um uh about whether to have some of the accommodation as general needs or specialist and I might disagree very slightly but we won't fall out with uh councelor Cal uh given that the original scheme at Crossways which we'll talk later did have some general needs um accommodation and no longer has um I would er on side of trying to keep as much of it general needs as possible.

[00:19:29]But obviously if uh the director of adult social care can talk with things that desperately need to be sold and obviously we can have a conversation.

[00:19:38]I do wonder whether uh it is this administration's plan to still sell off our housing stock. Um as I know that was uh something that was being talked about um at the beginning of the term. Um I the only reason I mention that is it it's does jar slightly with the new government's uh ambition for council house building. Um um so that just might be something to think about. So I'd welcome any updates uh on that thought. Um and I'm just pleased that the extra funding that the previous administration put into housing is being used positively. Thank you.

[00:20:17]>> Thank you very much. Any further comments within the cabinet table around the cabinet table?

[00:20:26]Sometimes you can't do right for doing good, can you? Um, let's go back to councelor Tyman to sum up then. Thank you. And and I'd like to pick up on uh on two things. Um, first of all, the the the comments regarding Preston Down Road. Um I I think uh um our leader of the the opposition at time sounds like a bit of broken record on this one. It keeps coming up and and frankly the the 50 units that were designated to go on that site may or may not have been built by now. Uh the speed of general house building going on is so pathetically low. Um and if you look at the speed at which things like uh Pimmen are building out uh even the social housing at Englewood um it's far from certain they would have been completed and those 50 if I recollect correctly were not all at social rent. One of the main things about the scheme we've got is that all the properties are at the very advantageous social rents. Um that is something that is uh been newly introduced into Tor Bay Council. Uh in this administration those that were produced uh through to Vista in the last administration were at affordable rents which are a lot less attractive. Um so we we are pushing forward and that's where we want to go. I think the other thing I'd like to say and ending on a I hope a far more positive note is that one of the nice moments I had in going through to to the LGA conference uh two weeks ago was I went and stopped and spoke at to people on a stall which was run by Habitat for Humanity and the reaction from the person that I spoke to there was ah to bay Um he said I was hoping to speak to someone from Torpe. I must show you this. Got out a little leaflet or presentation that they got in which they'd done a study. They'd identified three councils across to of the country out from 140 or more surveyed that they wanted to um put in their leaflet for innovative solutions and Torbay was one of those three. And picking up on what Nick said, yes, it was hotels to homes that they had caught up on, not accommodation repurposing, but what we are doing in Tor Bay is being recognized um uh across the country or in pockets across the country. And I think that's very encouraging. And I've also got a note uh that was forwarded to me from uh David Carter um that uh that an email he'd received from them saying that one of the takeaways from the conf conference were there's a lot others could learn from the work that we in to bay have done and he'd be really keen and we'd be really keen to explore how we can help with that. So I think what we're doing is and I pray it these are smallcale developments but at least they are things that are happening and they're things that are happening in a way that um hasn't happened much in Tor over the last 25 years and actually happening at a time when house building across the country is really struggling to to take off and to deliver. So I'm delighted that what we're doing in Tor Bay has got even if it's a small schemes a significant element of success.

[00:24:20]>> Thank you very much indeed councelor.

[00:24:22]The uh proposal has been proposed and seconded. Uh time to move to the vote.

[00:24:28]All those in favor please indicate.

[00:24:31]>> Unanimous chair.

[00:24:32]>> Thank you very much indeed. Let's move on to item seven which is the redevelopment of the former Crossway Shopping Center Paintton for the delivery of extra care housing. Uh this evening I will propose this on behalf of councelor Lewis who is not able to be with us tonight. Um and he would have said, "I am pleased to speak in support of the Crossways proposal which represents a significant investment in the future health, well-being, and independence of some of the most vulnerable people in Tor Bay. At its heart, this scheme is about giving people choice and dignity. We know from ongoing age engagement that older people and adults with disabilities overwhelmingly want to remain living independently in homes of their own while having access to the care and support they need. Extra care housing provides exactly that balance.

[00:25:35]Independence combined with security, community and personalized support. The Crossways development will deliver 91 modern purpose-built extraare apartments, making a major contribution towards our ambition of delivering 200 additional extra care homes by 2030.

[00:25:58]This is not simply a housing project.

[00:26:01]It's a long-term investment in a more sustainable care system. By enabling people to remain independent for longer, we can improve quality of life, reduce social isolation, and delay the need for more intensive and costly residential care services. The scheme also aligns strongly with the priorities set out in our blueprint for market transformation, helping people stay healthy, strengthening community resilience, integrating care closer to home, and delivering modern, safe, and sustainable services.

[00:26:39]Importantly, despite changes to the current integrated arrangements with the NHS, the need for extra care provision has not diminished. If anything, trends tell us that demand will only continue to grow over the coming decades.

[00:26:57]Crossways therefore represents prudent forward planning and a responsible response to future challenges.

[00:27:06]The proposal also addresses another critical need within our community.

[00:27:12]Specialist support for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

[00:27:18]The existing Holocam Community Resource Center has served residents well, but the buildings have reached the end of their operational life and are no longer fit for the future.

[00:27:31]The new dedicated facility at Crossways will provide a modern purpose-built environment capable of supporting up to 50 adults each week and that represents a 35% increase in capacity.

[00:27:49]It will offer meaningful daytime activities, therapeutic support and opportunities to develop independence while also providing essential respite for families and carers who play such a vital role in supporting their loved ones. Furthermore, the center will become a valuable community asset with the ability to host weekend and evening activities for the wider learning disability and autistic community across to bay. This is therefore a scheme that delivers on multiple fronts. It improves outcomes for residents. It supports carers. It modernizes outdate outdated facilities and creates a more financial sustainable model of care for the future.

[00:28:43]Crossways is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to inclusive communities to independence and to ensuring that vulnerable residents receive the high quality support they deserve. For these reasons, I warmly welcome the proposal and support the recommendation to approve the final business case which will enable this important development to move forward.

[00:29:11]The uh recommendation 3.11 is that we approve the final business case for the scheme as shown in appendix one which includes the full and final bill cost and project costs with a breakdown of the funding including internal capital resources external grant and secured capital receipts.

[00:29:35]Thank you. And at that point, I invite Councelor Tyman to second.

[00:29:41]>> Yeah, I'm very happy to second this. Um I and I think uh our task this evening in in approving this is made easier by the fact that the the business case presented here is uh within a whisker the the same that was all already been considered by ourselves at cabinet a couple of months ago and approved at council. uh at that time there was a possibility there might need to be a number of changes in the business case that came forward because of the various uh aspects in there uh would had not been finalized. Um, but it's turned out that the estimates that were in there have turned out to to be able to be substantiated and therefore what we're looking at as a final business case now is to all intentsive purposes identical to that which which council has seen and approved. Um, so so really I think our task this evening is is fairly easy. it.

[00:30:45]We are actually just confirming a decision that's already been made at council.

[00:30:52]>> Thank you very much indeed. And as you say that this did go through council.

[00:30:56]There was considerable debate. So I'm sure that hopefully we'll have unanimous support uh across um not quite the chamber but inside and outside of the cabinet. Let's move to councelor long please.

[00:31:13]>> Thank you. And uh when this item came previously, I think I mentioned that I was pleased that uh um this item is finally being brought forward um as it was an item that was inherited uh from the uh previous administration even if it is in the third year of the this new administration's term. Um I note that the report suggests that it will make a significant contribution to the need that there is for extra care. um in Tet to Bay which will reduce people having to go into residential care uh and live more independently. Um in fact this this um scheme brings forward less than half of the amount of places needed uh 91 out of 200 and the other scheme that has been much mooted to marine uh I understand has been effectively mothballled. Um so um not quite the uh tone of the report. Uh but I do welcome uh yet another business case report uh and the fact that it'll produce a solution for um uh Holikum. As I said on the previous item, slightly disappointed that there's no general needs housing uh as part of the scheme. One thing that I hadn't picked up before, but I read this time is that the cafe is for um residents of the scheme only uh and not um going to be opened up for non-residents. So there won't be any kind of mixing and I understand that's for VAT reasons which was um slightly disappointing as I thought that was going to be part of um encouraging people to uh mix together. Um but uh I look forward to the scheme eventually happening. Thank you.

[00:32:53]>> [snorts] >> Thank you. Any further comments from outside the cabinet?

[00:33:00]Okay, let's come back into the cabinet.

[00:33:02]Councelor B.

[00:33:05]Thank you indeed. And as someone who considers themselves still very much to be a Paintton boy. I I have to say I'm hugely enthusiastic to see this project going forward at Crossways. I can't think of a better location that for extra care housing for predominantly I would imagine older people than being right in the center of Paintton with all the amenities at hand and providing a fantastic new resource moving on from from Hollikum. So it's very very good news to to support this business case.

[00:33:42]councman said something a little earlier and I wouldn't normally be so tety but I'm sure other people get a bit tetchy when um someone says we've the whole country's been on the wrong path for 40 years and councelor Tman was saying that we haven't done very much for housing for the last 25 years. I I would say we did quite a lot. Um but it all came to an end in 2011 unfortunately and that there's been a a recent pause, a recent rather disappointing period, but we're absolutely building up the momentum now and this will be a further project. And finally on this, as I said, I think at the big council meeting, extra care housing is almost inevitably going to free up general needs housing. People who move into a facility like Crossways, the new flats, the new extra care supported accommodation right there in the center of Paintton are almost bound to be vacating because they're going to be local people. They'll be vacating their existing homes. So, you're going to get 90 new accommodation right in the center of town. Hopefully, you'll get the same or broadly similar number of general needs homes freed up to to be made available then for people on housing waiting lists. So, hugely support this project. A really good project and I can't wait to see work starting and it's going to be very soon as I understand it. It is going to be very soon. So, great news. Another project for this administration seeing it take shape. Thank you.

[00:35:17]Thank you very much indeed. Uh, councelor Cowell, please forgive me. I hadn't seen your hand uh raised in the virtual room. So, I'm going to come across to yourself now, sir.

[00:35:28]>> You are forgiven, chair. Um, on this occasion, um, I just reemphasize what I've said previously that it's it's a great scheme. Um, and we've really used the fullest cocktail of funding sources to get this one over the line. Um, and it's the right thing for adult social care. It's the right thing for those residents who are going to benefit from it. And it's the right thing for Payton Town Center. And you know, it's it's great that this is coming to fruition after the previous administration um made that decision um cross party, but we actually set the ball rolling in actually delivering the CPO to actually get Crossways into our ownership. So we had control on the site to be able to deliver such a good scheme. Um so like others I welcome it and look forward to the first residents moving in. Thank you chair.

[00:36:25]>> Thank you very much indeed. I don't think I'm missing any hands in the virtual room this time. So I safe to come back and invite councelor Billings into the debate.

[00:36:36]>> Well well thank you chair and uh what more can I uh say other than to recite some words that councelor cow used. a great scheme with the fullest cocktail of funding and I think that pays tribute to the hard work of the officer team that have got this across the line. Um councelor Long earlier when he spoke he indicated that there had been a pause uh between this administration taking over and getting this. I would highlight that's because of the time required to do that work to redesign it to get something that's viable and also to put in place that full cocktail of funding.

[00:37:10]That's work that wasn't in place previously that through the hard and collaborative work of the team is now in place. And that's why uh like fellow colleagues around the I hope the uh the room we have tonight uh I'm totally in support of this. This was uh a historical uh I saw a blight on the town of Paintton and I'm pleased that we've now uh collaboratively been able to put forward a viable scheme uh that we can deliver uh through both redesigning what originally was there but also bringing in every element of funding possible and I I really do think it's it's credit to the work of of the team on this. Thank you chap.

[00:37:51]>> Thank you very much indeed. And just before I move to the vote, there has been talk about uh you know, well, this is the final part of the jigsaw to get everything in place. Uh when when could we see this starting? Delighted to let everybody know that this will be a September start, a September 26 start.

[00:38:14]So, just a few short weeks away now.

[00:38:16]Let's get the uh I'm not wishing the summer out of the way, but effectively once the summer has has completed uh there'll be a a start there in September, which I think is fantastic.

[00:38:27]Uh, of course, it can only start in September if the cabinet uh approve uh what's in front of them. So, let's move to the vote. All those in favor, please indicate.

[00:38:37]>> Anonymous chair.

[00:38:38]>> Thank you very much indeed. Okay, move on to item eight uh which is the local plan regulation 19 publication and at this point I do need to remind members that uh if they have a declaration they need to declare that interest. So uh neighborhood forummed uh participation uh would be needed to be included in that. Uh invite uh councelor Billings first of all to make that declaration.

[00:39:10]Uh thank you, chair. As you know, I'm uh was formerly the uh vice chair of the Brixham Peninsula Neighborhood Forum. Uh uh currently a member of the Chen, Gampton, and Broadands uh neighborhood forum and also as per the standard disclosure, I also own land within the authorities area.

[00:39:30]>> Thank you very much indeed. And move to a a similar declaration from councelor Cowell.

[00:39:36]>> Yeah, thank you chair. Just to reiterate um former vice chair of the talking forum and current member of [snorts] said forum many thanks indeed that's the declarations done keeps us nice and legal. Um so um let's move on with the proposal.

[00:39:56]So today is a significant moment for Tobay as we consider the next stage of our local plan review and seek approval to proceed to regulation 19 consultation or at least take this to council for that final uh proposal to go to our residents. This plan is about shaping the future of Tobay in a way that [clears throat] reflects both our ambitions and our realities. It's about ensuring that future generations have access to homes, jobs, and opportunities while protecting the unique environment that makes Torbay such a special place.

[00:40:39]As members will know, the government's current methodology suggests that Torbay should be delivering in excess of 900 homes per year. However, we must be realistic about the exceptional constraints that exist within our our authority.

[00:40:58]Tobay is geographically unique. We have the sea on one side and significant environmental and landscape designations that rightly protect much of our natural environment and valued open spaces.

[00:41:14]These constraints are real and unavoidable.

[00:41:18]Having carefully considered the evidence, we believe that a more realistic and deliverable figure is around 400 homes per year. That doesn't mean we lack ambition, but it does mean we are pursuing a plan that is achievable, sustainable, and rooted in the realities of our area. Our responsibility is not simply to allocate numbers on paper. It is to ensure that growth is accompanied by the infrastructure, services, and environmental protections that our communities expect and deserve.

[00:41:58]I would like to also place on record councelor Lewis's appreciation for the collaborative approach that has been taken throughout this process. The local working party has worked constructively and has achieved valuable crossparty support. That consensus demonstrates a shared commitment to securing the best possible outcome for Tobay regardless of political differences.

[00:42:25]Furthermore, Councelor Lewis would welcome the positive discussion at the recent overview and scrutiny board where members supported moving forward to the next stage of the process and proceeding to regulation 19 consultation. This provides an important endorsement that the work undertaken to date is robust and worthy of further public engagement.

[00:42:52]Proceeding to regulation 19 is not the end of the journey. It's another important step in developing a sound local plan. One that gives Tobay a stronger voice in determining its own future rather than having development imposed upon us in an unplanned way.

[00:43:13]This plan seeks to strike the right balance, delivering muchneeded homes and economic growth while protecting the landscapes, coastline, and communities that define Torby's character.

[00:43:26]Chris goes on to say he would like to thank officers, members of the working party, stakeholders, and residents who have contributed their time and expertise throughout this process. And so this evening we have the opportunity to continue that work, move forward together and I commend this report to the cabinet and ask colleagues to support the recommendation to proceed to regulation 19 consultation.

[00:43:55]I invite councelor Billings to second.

[00:44:00]Thank you chair.

[00:44:03]You'll recall uh Mr. chairman as many other colleagues will. But one of the things that I was very clear on back in 2023 when I stood for election was I wanted to put the decision taking on planning back in the hands of local people and local counselors.

[00:44:22]Why did I want to do that? I wanted to do it because to me it felt wrong that on large applications it was almost a given that because of our council's absence of a 5-year land supply that a large developer would win an appeal against a refusal that was taken at a local level.

[00:44:45]That for example has been played out within the Chester and Gampton ward on the Copythornne Road application. It's been played out within the Brixham parish in relation to the St. Mary's old dairy application. Both refused uh on a cross party basis by count elected counselors sitting on the local planning committee. Both allowed through by a government planning inspector primarily because our council had failed to deliver a 5-year land supply.

[00:45:14]To me, that isn't democracy. That's a system that needs to be fixed. Mr. Chairman, you spoke about the fact that the government's standard methodology is over 900. When we started the local plan process, this precise number, as I understand it from officers, was 949.

[00:45:35]As paragraph 2.3 of the report sets out, the standard methodology now is 970.

[00:45:42]In other words, because we have a high target set by government and because we are underdelivering against that high target set by government, it's be the target itself each each period it's recalculated is getting further and further away. Now again, that sounds something that needs to be addressed.

[00:46:04]That's the background as to why we're here. It's the reason why we must work on a cross party collaborative basis to get through a new local plan. And what is the opportunity with that new local plan? The opportunity is for us to allocate sites that can deliver the development we need that can bring forward the type of housing that our area requires that can deliver sustainable development by matching that with sites that can then come forward for employment. That is what I am proud that on a collaborative cross party basis members of the local plan working party have been able to do. Yes, Mr. Chairman, the quantum of development is lower than the government's standard method. But were we to build out at a rate of the government standard method within 14 years we would have built on everything.

[00:47:02]So that would include the entirety of the national landscape stroke area of outstanding natural beauty. It would have mean we would have built on the entirety of the Berry Head Special Area of Conservation. It would have meant we would have built on every children's play park, every football pitch, cricket field, every parcel of farmland within the area. That to me doesn't sound like sustainable development. What we have before us is something I would suggest is sustainable development though. It embodies the no stone un no stone unturned approach that the local plan working party has gone through looking to find every possible deliverable site.

[00:47:42]It also embodies the council's own approach of using its own money to seek to bring forward sites. So through the hotels to homes the accommodation repurposing project that we talked about and heard two further schemes are coming forward this meeting. This local plan finds and put forwards other sites and policies to enable that to come forward.

[00:48:05]So not only do we bring back control of decision making to a local level, but we also deliver more of the housing we need the social social rent housing for local people. To me, Mr. Chairman, that is entirely in line with what government's aspirations are when they talk about having a step change in the delivery of housing. To me, simply allocating sites isn't what they want. They want things actually being built. And that's why getting this plan over the line is so important.

[00:48:39]Is the plan perfect? No.

[00:48:42]I don't think any plan could ever be perfect. And we should recognize that we're not in the pursuit of the perfect.

[00:48:49]We're in the pursuit of the good, the very good. There will always be bits in a plan that's brought forward on a collaborative basis that individual councilors might like to tweak, but that's not what consensus means. What we have here is something that the local plan working party was able to on a cross party basis agree on. It's embodied the constraints of the national landscape. It's embodied the constraints of the special area of conservation.

[00:49:17]It's embodied the constraints both in the uh supply of fresh water to homes, the quantum we need and also the drainage of waste water and foul water to the infrastructure required and also uh road network and transport. I am very pleased to second this and would encourage all members to do so um because we really have tried hard to put forward all the available sites and I look forward to receiving the feedback from our local community regulation 19 stage uh if other members support it.

[00:49:52]Mr. Chairman, thank you.

[00:49:55]>> Thank you very much indeed.

[00:49:58]Okay, I've already got an indication from councelor Long that he wishes to speak. So uh let me invite councelor long in the debate.

[00:50:08]>> Thank you very much Mr. Chairman. Uh and you'll be pleased to hear that uh as we are discussing this on Thursday at full council that I will be making my main comments then. Um, as I said at overview and scrutiny, um, I echoed the concerns of the talk neighborhood forum who spoke at that meeting. Um, including that they have not had any representation at the working party, uh, when another neighborhood forum did effectively have representation.

[00:50:36]Um, I also share their concern that development has um, effectively been pushed in the draft local plan from the southern end of Torbay uh, to the northern end. Uh, and to quote one of the councilors from St. Mary Church, this draft local plan feels no different from predatory development. Um, I note that Minister Penny Cook is still in place after the recent uh change of government and is still in his position and it'll be interesting to see if he uh intervenes. He may not necessarily recognize the no stone unturn claim.

[00:51:12]I have also been concerned about the political nature of the working party.

[00:51:16]um members of this cabinet saying the working party was collaborative does not make it so. Uh and I'll have more to say about that tomorrow. Um and I will leave it there, Mr. Chairman.

[00:51:28]Thank you.

[00:51:30]>> Thank you very much indeed. I can see uh councelor Cowell's hand is raised.

[00:51:36]>> Thank you, chair. And um as a member of the working party um I am very mindful that we are actually talking about a local plan and 95% of all the conversations are around housing understandably so but I think in over 320 pages of this local plan document it's important that we recognize that if we don't get it over the line and submitted in time for the end of December, we will be in a position that we are going to have to go back to square one using the government's new model of local plan development.

[00:52:18]That will leave Tobay exposed during that period of time for predatory development. Um, notwithstanding the fact that the private sector isn't even delivering on its approved and designated sites, who knows what may change in the next 3 years.

[00:52:39]We know that that's slow delivery and I think the way we are talking about a stepped increase in delivery of housing will allow for the private sector to make a contribution. but also equally as important this local authority to to deliver the much neededed social homes that we've talked about earlier this evening.

[00:53:02]I know as councelor Long has alluded talking neighborhood forum are very disappointed that they've not had direct representation on the working party.

[00:53:13]They have value valuable experience in working on the talking neighborhood plan working on its refresh and making regular positive contributions to planning committee in support or opposition.

[00:53:26]So I will like council long make further comments on Thursday but we need to get go to regulation 19 um in the hope that we don't have intervention for the minister which will delay the delivery of our local plan particularly with the backdrop of local government reorganization.

[00:53:47]Thank you chair.

[00:53:49]>> Thank you very much indeed. before I come back into the cabinet. Um, oh, sorry, councelor Long. Is that okay, that's my I just saw your microphone on.

[00:54:00]Um, thank you. So before I bring it back to the cabinet, there has been mention of uh the the minister and uh their view and you'll be aware that uh there was a letter wrote to myself and I responded back to that uh to explain exactly where we were what we were done and where we are. Um there was a meeting today uh with that said minister uh and I'd just like to invite Alan Dembi to provide some feedback from that meeting.

[00:54:34]Thank you chair. The meeting was with officials rather than with the minister himself but we've had it confirmed for us that they do not anticipate that there'll be any further intervention in our local plan which will be allowed to proceed through to examination assuming it passes through cabinet and council.

[00:54:49]So very positive news. There are some challenges which they they've raised and where we would expect to be challenged at inspection but from here we're able to proceed without the threat of any further intervention.

[00:55:03]Thank you very much indeed. Let's uh come back to the cabinet. Uh any further comments before I invite uh myself or councelor Billings to sum up? Councelor Billings.

[00:55:19]Uh thank you chairman. Um I I would just um in relation to some of the comments that have been uh coming forward, I would just refer people in terms of the representations of forums to the disclosure of interest that was made at the start of this item. I I think um uh there are as far as I was aware two active forums. Uh uh uh although in fairness to say one of them is active is a is a is a is a slight uh overstatement. I think the last meeting of the uh uh Broadsands uh Chen and Gampton neighborhood forum was actually prior to the election. So I think to attribute them with having uh excess involvement in the local plan process would maybe be uh overstepping the mark.

[00:56:04]I'm sure councelor Cal could uh um sort of refresh our memory as to when the to last to neighborhood forums meeting was.

[00:56:10]They've they've been much more diligent in having regular meetings. Um, I think the the key bit, Mr. Chairman, that that that that we've got here is this is a local plan where it work the the proposed plan document works hand inhand with our council's own use of money to bring forward much needed development. That's a really strong point that's coming forward. the much needed social housing that we've talked about delivering earlier in the meeting is is handin glove with this new local plan and we wouldn't get the same uh high rate of delivery going forwards without getting this local plan through and I think it's that point that I'm sure officers will have relayed on behalf of all of this council when they met the minister's um uh colleagues and advisers um as council The cow has highlighted the plan though is much more than housing. It is the whole spectrum of development. It's areas uh for people for recreation. It's areas for people uh young people to play. It's important uh area for job creation. It's that full spectrum of things. As much as housing often uh dominates the discussion, we've got before us a very clear recommendation that uh at paragraph uh 3 uh 3.1, 3.2, 2 and 3.3 that we now put the local plan forward for regulation 19 uh a consultation that we give delegated authority to the director of pride in place in consultation with the cabinet member for pride uh for place development and economic growth and that in discussions with neighboring authorities our council's position is that tob's unmet housing need should be addressed at a sub regional level through the spatial development strategy on that basis Mr. Chairman, I'm very proud uh to sum up on that basis and we put this to the vote chair.

[00:58:12]>> Thank you very much indeed. Just one clarification point uh and that that is the cabinet uh decision tonight recommends this to council uh and that'll be coming to council on Thursday. So let's move to the vote. All those in favor please indicate.

[00:58:31]>> Unanimous chair.

[00:58:33]>> Thank you very much indeed. So, as I say, debate on that at council on Thursday. Move on to item nine, which is the Tobe destination management plan review. Councelor Jackie Thomas.

[00:58:49]Thank you, chair. So, I'm pleased to present the refresh destination management plan and ask cabinet to approve it for public consultation.

[00:59:00]This is about much more than tourism.

[00:59:03]It's about making Torbay an even better place to live, work, invest, and visit.

[00:59:11]A strong visitor economy supports local jobs, businesses, our town centers, and community pride.

[00:59:21]There are three simple reasons why this plan matters. So firstly, tourism is changing. Visitors want different experiences.

[00:59:32]competition is stronger and we need to adapt. This plan focuses on attracting higher value visitors, encouraging longer stays and building stronger year round economy.

[00:59:48]Secondly, this is a partnership plan. So success won't come from the council working alone. It brings businesses, partners and the council together with everyone playing their part to help to bay succeed.

[01:00:07]And finally, it gives us a clear direction for the next 10 years. It focuses on improving the visitor experience, investing in skills, supporting sustainability, and making sure to bay remains one of the country's leading coastal destinations.

[01:00:30]It is it is important to stress that we are not being asked to approve the destination management plan this evening. What we are being asked to approve is a six-w week public consultation.

[01:00:47]This consultation will give residents, businesses, partners and other stakeholders the opportunity to have their say. Their feedback will then be carefully considered and the final plan will come back to cabinet for us to consider before any decision is made on its adoption. I therefore commend this report and recommendations to cabinet.

[01:01:19]>> Thank you very much indeed councelor.

[01:01:21]Invite councelor by to second this. Well thank you Mr. chairman and I'm absolutely delighted to second the recommendation that this plan goes out to consultation and I want to say thank you indeed for all those who are in involved in the preparation of the destination destination marketing plan management plan to the stage we are at now and all all the good work that's going on to promote to bay as the premier resort and absolutely delighted indeed that the tourism bid got the vote of confidence. It's it's up and running for another term. They do so much work to promote the area and I think there's huge huge opportunities. Interesting to read through this report. We still have 34 of a million staying visitors each year. In fairness, I hadn't appreciated that the number was still as great as that. Obviously, we'd like more. We'd like them to stay longer and we'd like them to spend more money, but they they are 3/4 of a million is not to be sneezed at. This year in particular, there seem to be more visitors from from my sort of anecdotal out and about chatting to people and seeing people, more visitors from abroad. And I think that's very welcome to have high spending um foreign and perhaps continental visitors. That's excellent.

[01:02:44]There's two big opportunities that I think are worth shouting about and maybe this plan can be refined. I think number one is local government reorganization. We've become part of a much larger area geographically a larger area with for example our national trust properties falling within the boundaries of the new tobay and south devon authority. I think be wonderful that we'll have Colton Fish Acre, Greenway, I believe also Compton Castle. I'm not 100% sure on the boundaries in that particular part, but I think Compton Castle and almost certainly uh Bradley Manor. So, we're going to have a quartet of National Trust properties that we can market as part of our heritage and cultural offer. And we're going to have the coastline extending beyond Maiden Kum to Sheldon and Tinmouth. And we're going to have the coastline extending beyond Brixham and Shark to Kingswear.

[01:03:44]So great great opportunities through having a larger geographic area and climate change. I mean there's not a lot to celebrate about climate change but certainly it is making the Mediterranean and other hot spots quite literally hot spots too hot I would think for families and many others. So a huge opportunity I think for Tor Bay sometimes to be a place to welcome people for whom the Mediterranean is is getting a bit much.

[01:04:13]say that that in fact was a part of the mayoral vision um raisetra that climate change would make this a comparatively more attractive place for people to visit who might previously have been tempted further south so lots to look forward to lots to celebrate this now goes out to consultation let's make Torbay the premier coastal international resort thank you Mr. Thank you very much indeed. Uh any comments or any debate? Councelor Long.

[01:04:50]>> Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I'm not sure that councelor B should count his national trust chickens just yet given that uh Devon County are likely to go to a judicial review. Uh, and I'm not sure that some of those places that he mentions feel um equally happy about coming in with to Bay if I see the uh comments particularly at Spotted Maldon um um who are definitely not happy to come and and be with us. So maybe just watch this space and uh uh I don't suppose those places will be grateful for a conservative administration here who caused it by going in with Labour Plymouth and Labour Exat. But I digress. Um I look forward to um uh this item coming to overview and scrutiny um as part of the consultation. I look forward to the other comments from over uh from consultation as well. Um, I'm intrigued again that council by mentioned the word premier so much because when I read it, and I'm probably wrong, but I only found the word premier once. And if there are further references to the word premier, they are probably well hidden. And and when I found it, it mentioned to as being a premier resort rather than the premier resort. So, uh, that does suggest a rather lack of ambition uh, compared to what councelor B was saying.

[01:06:07]Um, I also felt there was a slight confusion over branding. Um the report says that English Riviera is still the brand but then the report wanders off on quite a long spiel talking about linking up with the Torbway story etc. So that doesn't smack of a um clear brand to me. But those my comments for now and uh I look forward to uh uh a further detailed discussion of overview and scrutiny.

[01:06:35]Thank you.

[01:06:38]Thank you very much. Anybody anything else from anybody else?

[01:06:43]Okay, let's come back to cabinet. Uh, councelor Billings. I was just going to say, Mr. Chairman, it's always very flattering when you get credited for something you haven't done. as uh as councelor Longs just indulged us with, um I I don't seem to uh be able to square my recollection of the uh local government reorganization process with that that we we're just credited with, but uh but but but credit where it's due clearly. Um uh I think the the more important thing is that there's clearly with any reorganization, any change process, there's a need for clear communication about what the what the benefits can uh acrue. uh to people through that that's the same as whether that it's a it's a job reorganization as much as it is a local government reorganization and I'm sure when when people see the uh performance that we've delivered in various bits of uh the way that we are now running services in Tor Bay I just highlight the speed for example at which we fix potholes compared to maybe some of our neighbors uh and the quality of the way that uh we are in say uh some of our specific service functions uh and equally also the costs in council tax. Uh I think maybe uh some of that discussion that uh my my friend um referred to uh might be tempered and actually uh might have a different view on but as I started saying it's it's always very uh flattering when one credits uh one with something we didn't do. And uh and as I say I think our administration indeed full council actually put forward a different scheme uh for local government reorganization. We just got to make this one the government's decided on work.

[01:08:22]Now Mr. chairman, haven't we?

[01:08:24]>> Thank you very much indeed. I will refrain from uh being drawn on the local government reorganization point this evening. Uh there'll be plenty of time to talk about uh all of that over the coming weeks. I think it is worth just respond just before I pass back to councelor Jackie Thomas. I think it is worth responding to the Torbas story um and and recognizing that that is a place a place branded um product um that has actually done amazing piece of work for Tor Bay. Uh if you uh if I just go back to my time at UK Reef uh when we went to UK Reef three years ago um with the Torbas story looking for a partner looking for somebody to uh get involved with us and we came away with Wilmont Dixon and Milligan who have stood at our side for the last three years. Um that was down to the Torb story. It is about recognizing place uh as opposed to the uh wider tourism uh offer. Um so let me go back to councelor Thomas and uh let's hope I haven't stolen stolen your thunder.

[01:09:52]>> Thank you councelor Thomas. who actually did just [laughter] take some of my lines from uh from some of the notes that I'd made um from uh some of the uh comments from councelor Long. So, he talks about the lack of ambition. I'd say that we have a very large ambition here in uh Tor Bay. You know, I think that's proven over the last few weeks with our beaches full, our cafes vibrant and talky and Paintton and Brixham are all buzzing. Um, so yeah, I think it's uh it's so sad when we talk our area down. I think it's fantastic to talk our area up and we have something very special here in Tor Bay and uh you know I uh I think we should uh carry on supporting that. Um, so yeah, I was going to bring up about um the that we are more of a Torb Place brand rather than just using the English Riviera, but Councelor Thomas has already stolen my line on that. So I uh happy to go to the vote. Thank you.

[01:10:58]>> May I make a personal explanation, please? Uh councelor Thomas. Yes, of course. Um I was arguing that we should be talking more about Torb being the premier result. So I felt I was talking the tobay up not down. Thank you. Thank you for your clarification. Okay, let's move to the vote then. All those in favor please indicate.

[01:11:17]>> You know chair.

[01:11:19]>> Thank you. We move on to item 10 which is the hackne carriage tariff increase and I invite councelor tra.

[01:11:29]>> Thank you chair.

[01:11:32]The local government act 1976 allows the council to set the maximum level of charges to be levered by all hackne carriages operating under its control.

[01:11:42]The council does not have powers to set fairs for journeys in private vehicles.

[01:11:47]The tariff was last increased in October 2024 following a request from Toray licensed taxi association to increase the tariff. officers have held meeting with them to talk to United Licensed Driver Association and other Hatley carriage representatives to agree this proposal.

[01:12:08]The table of fairs or the tariff should be set to enable sustainable income for drivers, future investment in vehicles and to clearly set rates to minimize the opportunity for overcharging or confusion. I therefore recommend that members accept the proposed amendments to the tariff as detailed in the report so that officers can carry out the public consultation as set out in the prescribed process under section 65 of the local government act 1976.

[01:12:38]Thank you chair.

[01:12:40]>> Thank you very much indeed and move across to councelor Billings to second.

[01:12:45]>> Um thank you chair. I'm quite happy to second this item. I I think it's really sad when we have to increase fees and charges on any item, but clearly uh it's necessary to do so when uh costs have uh risen. And as the report sets out um particularly at paragraph 1.7 in the two bullets on the uh overleaf page uh that uh through uh to the 12 months to April 2026 uh the CPI rose by 2.8% 8% uh and and uh for the year prior uh it was um uh sorry down slightly uh from the 12 months to March it was 3.3 um now that's a that's a 12 month period but as councelor transfer has identified um the fees and charges last went up in October 2024 which is clearly considerably more than than 12 months ago. Um and when one looks at the overall rise uh as set out at paragraph 4.2 of 4.6% for tariff one and 3.8% tariff 2, it appears to me what we've got is um rises that are below inflation when measures on a CPI basis. Um now clearly uh fuel costs on a standalone basis will have gone up uh in excess of that at various points. And so whilst recognizing yes it's sad that we have to increase costs at any point I think those that set out in the report before us appear reasonable again as councelor Tranta has set out um uh those um that are uh uh not hackne carriages uh are not covered by this and the competitive market mechanism would clearly be one which um it would be unlikely that the drivers themselves would be suggesting uh this as a level if it priced them out of the market. So on that basis, I think this is something that we as an authority need to do to ensure that we have a a reliable taxi service for our residents. Um so on that basis, I'd be delighted to second chap. Thank you very much indeed. And before I open debate, there's just probably two areas that I need to clarify. Uh so the options that cabinet can consider are there in 3.1 and you'll see them marked out as option one, option two, and option three. what we have uh what uh council chanter has just proposed there is option one which is the one that has basically come forward from the industry. The other options are effectively for cabinet to reject the uh uh proposal outright or for us to amend the proposal that's been offered. But we are moving with option one which effectively uh is the one from the industry that we're going out with consultation on. I think it's important to emphasize that point. And the second point um which is absolutely worth uh talking about is the callin callin procedure on this particular item. So um if I just read for you uh an extract from the report and then I'll go into more detail if necessary. Um so at 1.6 six. Um, so we will be going out for consultation and if no objections to the variation of the tariff are received or if all objections are withdrawn, the revised tariff will come into operation on the date of the expiration of the consultation period. which means that this doesn't come back unlike other consultation items. Therefore, call in is available from now for the next two weeks. Uh and it won't uh and if there are no objections, it doesn't return to cabinet. Therefore, I just wanted to ensure that members uh from outside the cabinet are fully aware of the process involved. So, if you have concerns and you want to call it in, the time to call it in is in the next two weeks because once it goes out to consultation, if there are no objections or if all objections are withdrawn, the revised tariff will immediately come into operation. I think that is worth clarification for everybody in the room.

[01:17:26]A little bit different to what normally happens, but that is the legislation that sits under section 65 of the Local Government Act 1976, which is a piece of uh a piece of law that we don't uh very often kind of involve with. Okay, so that's the technicals out of the way. Uh allows us to move into any debate. Uh are there any comments, questions?

[01:17:53]Councelor Cowell, >> you chair. Um just very briefly, I mean obviously this is going out to consultation, but I do notice on page 530 in the table and this actually is also a nod to the complexity of harmonization of local government. Teen Bridg's uh current rate is £726.

[01:18:15]South Hams is £780 and Tor Bay will be one of the highest in Devon at £8.70.

[01:18:23]Now I know fuel that costs vary across the region. Um in fact they vary from filling station to filling station and I also did make the comment at a previous briefing about the number of EVs. So it'll be interesting to see what actually comes through from the consultation about the number of electric vehicles that are used for for taxis um currently in to pay. So thank you chair.

[01:18:49]Thank you very much indeed. Uh and uh local government reorganization um at some point further down the line will probably bring together harmonization across all of the areas. Although uh I am aware that potentially there is another proposal uh regarding taxi licensing uh that is still in the uh ether which could take taxi licensing into uh a uh combined county authority area or into a mayoral strategic authority zone. Uh so there there some of the conversations that I'm aware of that are coming down the line, but clearly tonight we can only deal with the legislation that's currently in place and I thank you for your for your input. Is there any further input council long?

[01:19:46]Sorry, Mr. Chair, you're dragging me down a rabbit hole, but um surely this wouldn't be another bit of uh uh council activity that would be going upwards to the combined authority rather than coming downwards from government.

[01:19:59]uh something you need to discuss with government directly uh but potentially. Okay. Um any other comments that relate to the report? No.

[01:20:10]In which case, let's move to councelor Trant.

[01:20:16]>> I think everybody's covered everything.

[01:20:18]Thank you, chair.

[01:20:19]>> Thank you. Move to the vote then. All those in favor, please indicate.

[01:20:23]>> Unanimous chair.

[01:20:25]>> Thank you. That brings us on to the final item this evening which is the Terrairma English Riviera Geop Park review. Uh and this is the cabinet's response to the report that was uh submitted back to cabinet from the overview and scrutiny board councelor Jackie Thomas.

[01:20:47]Thank you chair. So this report comes to cabinet following consideration by the overview and scrutiny board. The board looked in detail at the terrairma review and made one recommendation to us. Their recommendation is that we review the the UNESCO English Riviera Geo Park signs to make sure they are up to date, fit for purpose, and that we report back on progress.

[01:21:18]I am pleased that cabinet is able to support that recommendation.

[01:21:24]Good signage is an important way of raising awareness of our UNESCO geopark, helping both residents and visitors better understand this internationally important designation.

[01:21:39]Our response is a measured one. We have asked officers to review the current signage, look at options for improvement and consider the practicalities, costs and the wider context of local government reorganization before bringing proposals forward that ensures we make sensible, well-informed decisions while continuing to support the geo park and its importance to to bay.

[01:22:11]So I therefore move the recommendations to cabinet. Thank you.

[01:22:16]>> Thank you very much indeed. Councelor Thyman, I understand you wish to second.

[01:22:20]Yes, I I'm very happy to second this. It it seems to me that um a a simple request and a a very simple action and um the important thing is to see what comes out of that investigation and to see how we move forward. So happy to second this this tonight.

[01:22:41]>> Thank you very much indeed. Sir, any comments? Councelor Long, just as the chair of Ovian Scrutiny, I just wanted to share that it was a very positive uh meeting and uh um Nick Pow is obviously always a um a star turn um and uh um we'll probably be talking more about street signs tomorrow uh Thursday even. Thank you.

[01:23:05]Thank you very much indeed. Always good to finish on a positive note, isn't it?

[01:23:09]Um, so let's uh can't see any further hands. So we come back to the cabinet.

[01:23:16]Any further comments? Councelor Thomas, anything to sum up with?

[01:23:21]>> No, nothing further to add. Thanks, Chair.

[01:23:23]>> Thank you very much indeed. So we'll move to the vote. All those in favor, please indicate.

[01:23:28]>> Unanous chair.

[01:23:29]>> Thank you very much indeed. And at uh oh I don't know where are we? Let's have a look. 1853 this meeting is closed. Thank you. Have a pleasant evening.