The residents of Torbay voted in a referendum to decide whether or not Torbay should have an elected mayor.  This resulted in a ‘yes’ vote and Nick Bye became Torbay’s first elected mayor on 20 October 2005. Gordon Oliver succeeded Nick Bye as Torbay's mayor in the mayoral election held on 6 May 2011.

Mayor Oliver is responsible for most of the Council’s major decisions.  He can make most decisions as long as they are within the budget and policy framework that is set by the Council (which includes the Mayor and all 36 councillors).  Mayor Oliver makes most of his decisions at public meetings of the Council.  The Executive includes up to 9 councillors chosen by the Mayor and they help and advise the Mayor.

Major decisions that Mayor Gordon is going to make are set out in a ‘Forward Plan’.

The current members of the Executive can be viewed on the Councillors' Details page.