Jim Parker: Unity key in this golden moment

Playing musical chairs can be a dangerous thing - especially when the future of the Bay is at stake.
One of the main attributes that has persuaded the government and private sector partners to plough millions of pounds into the English Riviera has been its togetherness and unity.
The money, across different funding pots and partnerships, last stood at a mind-blowing £200 million and will pay for major regeneration projects to transform the Bay, creating jobs, new homes and a healthier, happier and more prosperous resort to live, work in and visit.
Private, public and community sectors have been brought together with the Torbay Story and the Torbay Place Leadership Board and there has been cross-party support and no political shenanigans that once made the Bay look like a basket case to the outside world.
Long may that positive joined up thinking and togetherness continue..
The Conservatives were elected in as the majority party at the Town Hall in the May elections. But that political balance was thrown in the air just a few weeks ago when newly-elected councillors Katiya Maddison and Patrick Joyce decided to leave the Tory group and form their own Torbay Prosper 'party'. The Tories had their own people in as chairs of the main committees after their election victory. But now with their overall control gone, the Liberal Democrats, Independents and Prosper want those appointments rescinded at the next council meeting so they can chair committees like planning, licensing and harbours themselves. The fear is potential schemes may face a choppier route through to a green light if this goes ahead.
Tory group leader Dave Thomas has written to Lib Dem, Independent and Prosper leaders Steve Darling, Darren Cowell and Katiya Maddison offering them all seats in the cabinet if they will drop their committee take-over plan. He says: “The political balance has changed. We are in a minority and now they want to reverse the agm decision with the chairs of committees. They want to chair planning, licensing, harbours and overview and scrutiny and they want a place on the fire authority. It's a bit of a grab. They say they want to work together. This does not feel like working together.”
He wrote to them saying 'we are in unprecedented times'. “If they wanted, they could take control of the council and the cabinet as well. They did not wish to do that,” said Cllr Thomas.
“They want to control things through the council and committees. I am saying that is not the best way forward for Torbay.”
He added: “We have been extremely fortunate that since I became leader the government funding is now £105m. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
“Some of the money we have is time sensitive and has to be spent by the end of March, 2025.”
He said the danger is some projects may get held up in committees where people of different political parties will have different views. He said: “Planning is an integral part of the system. If we cannot get things through planning we cannot deliver.”
Likening the situation to the government's U-turn on the HS2 rail project, Cllr Thomas warned: “The money can go as quickly as it came.”
He added: “That would be devastating for Torbay. We are on the edge of a precipice. We can either bring changes to our towns and communities and make a difference for Torbay or we can jump off that cliff and lose everything. I am not prepared to risk that.”
He revealed: “I have asked the leaders to put politics to one side and let's work together. We would like them to remove the council motion. They can have overview and scrutiny and a place on the fire authority. We are running the same course. The conference in Leeds, which led to a private sector partner, was set up by the coalition,” said Cllr Thomas
“We need to provide stability and we need to ensure to the market that we can deliver for Torbay. I have written to all three group leaders that if they want a place in the cabinet all three of them can be there.
“They can be part of the power to deliver for Torbay, our residents and communities as one, large co-operative. This has never been offered or done before. We have to leave politics at the front door over the next three years.”
But it looks as if his plea will fall on deaf ears.
Cllr Cowell said their proposal was based on proportionality and reflected the number of seats held by the different parties and groups. He described it as 'more equitable'.
He said: “It is not just about the chairs. We are quite happy for them to continue with their six cabinet members. Planning, licensing and harbours are non-political committees. We want to establish a fresher way of working. We want to see early engagement on big ticket items like housing. When it comes to full council everybody is on board. We want to find a way of turning down the political dial. There is so much we agree on. We want to demonstrate that Torbay is not going back to being a basket case. It is to recognise that not one organisation holds the power. If the leaders accepted the cabinet seats they would always be in the minority. I do not see that there is a basis for concern with the chairs. I am hoping that we can work together. We are on the precipice of delivering some of the most important projects in Torbay for generations. We need to get them over the line and make sure there is trust and understanding between all 36 councillors. It is about drawing the line on politics and working for Torbay.”
Cllr Darling would only say: “I would sooner have a conversation with Dave Thomas. I want to make sure that we are doing our best for Torbay.”
And that is the most important aspect in all this. Doing the best for Torbay. Nothing must get in the way of this golden moment in our history. Sing from the same hymn sheet and not have to worry about musical chairs.