Jim Parker: The last thing we need right now is that 'Only in Torbay' moment

It was to reflect the crazy and sometimes damaging shenanigans happening in that political playground.
There was no need to go looking for stories or headlines in those days. Those in power at the Town Hall created them for you no matter what colour coat they were wearing - blue, gold, red or pink and purple.
I can go back to the days when the Liberal Democrats were in charge and dished up one cock-up after another, including banning the cross from the crematorium and awarding themselves big councillor allowances increases, which sealed their fate at the election polls and paved the way for the coming of an elected mayor system. Then we have the Tories and their renowned in-fighting which ultimately led to the mayoral system being ditched. Only in Torbay.
But in the past few years the Bay has got over that 'basket case' reputation and worked really hard TOGETHER on trying to secure a new future for the Bay.
The green shoots were there several years ago with the then Conservative administration and the Torbay Together partnership which brought the public, private and community sectors together with one united voice which was above politics. That unity had a lot to do with almost £35m of town centres regeneration funding for Torquay and Paignton after a delegation visit to then Growth Minister Jake Berry.
The same theme and ethos was carried on and developed when a Lib Dem/Independent partnership took control at the Town Hall. Time and energy was spent on making sure Torbay was put on the map, with Torbay Together now the Torbay Place Leadership Board and a focus on the English Riviera as a 'place' and its Torbay Story telling investors locally, nationally and internationally why we are a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.
The biggest showcase and platform for that was the UKREiiF investment and infrastructure conference in Leeds when Torbay sold itself to worldwide investors. By this time the Tories were back in charge - nobody was more surprised than them in May - but the journey towards that new journey stayed on track. It is no coincidence that we now have a private investor willing to put £100m into local regeneration projects. Many more millions are being invested in the Bay by central government - as we speak a team of Whitehall officials are in town talking to key business and community figures about a Levelling Up partnership potentially worth another £20m.
People, investors, government like how we are working together ....
I just hope that the decision by two Conservative-elected councillors to suddenly jump ship and quit the what was ruling Tory group doesn't rock the HMS Torbay boat and steer us off course.
Katya Maddison (Shiphay) and Patrick Joyce (Wellswood) announced their decision last week, saying they felt they could serve people who voted for them just a few months ago better from outside the Tory group.
The Conservatives had an overall majority before the so-called rebels left the group. Now the Tories have 17 councillors, the Lib Dems 15, with two Independents, meaning the ‘Prosper Torbay’ group comprising Cllrs Maddison and Joyce now holds the balance of power.
They have their reasons and they should be respected, although I'm not sure what those who voted for them in May will make of it all.
My biggest concern is that we may lose that togetherness and stability with overall Town Hall control up in the air around every corner of the council chamber when debating and deciding some major, game-changing projects.
Gladly I am being assured that is not the case. The two rebels recognise the bigger picture at stake and so do other party leaders who could quite easily form partnerships/coalitions to put the Tories firmly on the back benches.
Lib Dem leader Steve Darling said he had messaged Cllrs Maddison and Joyce. "I was wishing them well and sharing their concerns which seem to be centred around putting the community first and highlighting issues around affordable housing which is close to my heart."
He added: "We need to make sure that we hold the administration to account with town centres but the most important thing that we need is stability. The last thing we want is chaos in the council.
"We have laid some firm foundations that has been able to be built on. The main thing is that we are moving ahead. When the partnership with the new developer came up at cabinet only a few weeks ago all members spoke positively about that.
"This is beyond politics. We need to put community interests first."
He is willing to have a 'deep and meaningful conversation' with the two councillors when the time is right adding: "We need to understand where they are coming from and see if their priorities align with ours."
And a future partnership? "That may be part of the conversation going forward but we cannot indulge ourselves in shotgun weddings. What Torbay needs now is stability," said Cllr Darling
Likewise views from Independent and former council deputy leader Darren Cowell.
He said: "We are not talking about forming a partnership. Whether that does emerge as an outcome it is early days."
He added: "It is about identifying what their motives are for leaving and if their priorities align but at the same time considering the bigger picture in the Bay and the town centres and driving an agenda for affordable social housing. The decision to appoint a private developer partner was unanimous in the council which demonstrates there is a bigger picture and bigger prize here."
Cllr Maddison declined to talk to me over the phone and Cllr Joyce has not been contactable. As I say, they must have their reasons and good luck to them. I am sure they appreciate that Torbay is at one of the most crucial stages in its recent history. And I don't say that as a true Blue, golden Lib Dem or member of the Monster Raving Loony Party. I say it as a resident with a passion for Torbay. Let's not have a Only in Torbay moment. Let's stick with Now is the Time!