Jim Parker: Result of town hall mediation and facilitation? Consternation!

The release says: "Following political upheaval in Torbay over the past months, senior leaders from the Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and Independent groups have been considering new ways of working because of the ‘hung’ 18-18 split between the Conservative and Opposition groups.

"The process, which was suggested by opposition leaders and is being facilitated by an independent third party, is aimed at improving the way an effective council in no overall control can operate. The opposition has made their position clear that the roles and responsibilities, such as chairs of some committees and other positions, should reflect the 50/50 split of the council. While the Cabinet would still only have Conservative councillors, other committees would be led by the opposition."

Cllr Long, now Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said, “The opposition groups will continue to engage positively with the ‘Facilitation’ process to hopefully improve relations with the Conservative Group. However, the Lib Dem and Independent Groups have agreed to formally work together, which reflects our already positive relationship but also formally sets out the 18:18 split on the Council. It also shows that councillors of different groups can work together in a grown-up way.”

The Liberal Democrat and Independent Group have now announced that they have signed an agreement that mirrors that of the 'Partnership Agreement' that was implemented between 2019 and 2023.

The release says and reveals: "The Opposition Partnership Agreement embeds the current informal arrangements and will provide clarity for members, officers, partners, and residents that there is an 18-18 split. The Opposition Partnership will also form a Shadow Cabinet."

It was also confirmed that Cllr Katya Maddison, once a Tory and Prosper Torbay member, has announced that she will be joining the Independent Group. She said: "Over the past year I have worked closely with the Independents and Liberal Democrats, and we agree on many things."

Independent Group Leader, Cllr Darren Cowell, said: “I am delighted that we have formed an official opposition partnership, as it is a continuation of the arrangement we had for four years in administration."

The partnership's shadow cabinet will see portfolio holders who will be announced before the December meeting of the council. Those selected will get special responsibility allowances.

At the December meeting, the new partnership will be tabling a motion to set out revised post holders for committees and other roles that will provide political balance to reflect the 18/18 split. In other words, they want to chair main committees.

But hang on a minute—aren't we going back to the future here? The partnership is a new twist, and so is the shadow cabinet. But isn't the Opposition asking the Tories for most of the same when it comes to chairing committees, etc., which was thrown out months ago? And what about that mediation?

Cllr Cowell says: "That process is still ongoing. It comes to an end this month. We have both made position statements that are very much based on the 50/50 scenario. It is not mediation. It is facilitation. They are facilitating conversations between us.

"I think that our colleagues across the table are as frustrated as we are. I have never known it to be like this. Fractured. I said in the summer we can't go on like this, and that's why we did what we did—with the facilitator.

What we want to avoid is a repeat of the meeting last December, which was the lowest point in Torbay's political history. We have said we are trying to reconcile those differences."

He added: "We have put a marker down. It is a starter for ten. The Conservatives can table an amendment. If it doesn't work, it won't be for the lack of trying.

"I told Chris Lewis (deputy Tory group leader), and he said, 'How am I going to sell that to the group? But they are still the administration and have the cabinet. They have effective control. We just want equity as far as roles and responsibilities are concerned. Some of the positions would come with a special responsibility allowance. But this would just be a third of the cabinet allowance. We are not doing it for the money. This is about making the structure fit for purpose."

As for Cllr Lewis? He was adamant: "We are happy to talk to anybody in the opposition, no matter what party they are in." We offered them positions last time. We are not interested in playing party politics. Our main aim is to deliver for Torbay. That is what we are going to do.

"We are going to leave politics at the front and back doors and just get on with it. Hopefully people can work with us to deliver. Changing committees is not one of our priorities. We just want to get on with it."

Well, that mediation and facilitation have certainly worked. At least 'Only in Torbay' is still alive and kicking, and what a shame that is.