Agenda and decisions

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 18 July, 2023 be

agreed as a correct record.

That the contents of the update report be noted.

(i)        That the funding pressures of £2.751m in 2024/25 and £5.082m over the 5-year period covered by the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) be noted.

(ii)       That the approach regarding the development of savings and income generation proposals in the medium-term be agreed.

(iii)      That the continued uncertainty regarding the medium-term impact of local government funding and the Cost-of-Living crisis be noted. Also, it be noted that the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth will be writing to Central Government and Local MP’s to lobby for funding to assist with the additional pressures in respect of the national pay award and temporary accommodation.

(i)            That the progress made to date with the procurement exercise for the Joint Venture Development Delivery Partner redevelopment plans for key town centre sites be noted;

(ii)          That the benefits of the Capital and Centric operating model as set out in Paragraph 2.14-2.21 of this report be noted;

(iii)         That the procurement through a direct award under the Pagabo Development Management Framework of Capital and Centric, be agreed,  to develop plans and development business cases for the York Place and Midway Car Park sites, at a cost not exceeding £256,500;

(iv)         That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships be authorised to progress discussions with third parties for the sale or lease of a portion of the York Place site;

(v)          That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and Portfolio for One Council, People and Partnerships be authorised to undertake the necessary preparatory work for the closure of the Midway Carpark in autumn 2024.

(i)           That the Asset Management Strategy 2023-2028 be approved

(ii)          That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, be given delegated authority to develop a disposal programme and to undertake consultation on the disposal of sites as set out in the Asset Management Strategy 2023-2028.

(iii)         That the Strategy be considered by the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee in September and feedback be provided to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth.

That a new Planning Enforcement Plan for the Borough, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved and adopted..

(i)     That the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the portfolio holders for Community Safety and Wellbeing and Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and One Council, People and Partnerships be delegated authority to enter negotiationsto acquire (purchase or lease independently or with partners) a property for the homeless hub and complete any related property transactions.

(ii)    That the Service Director / Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth be delegated authority  to submit a planning application for any changes required and secure any related permissions in relation to the homeless hub if necessary.

(iii)   That the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth be delegated authority to procure and award contracts necessary for any building alterations necessary for the future use of the homeless hub.

(iv)  That the Service Director in consultation with the portfolio holders for Community Safety and Wellbeing be delegated authority to procure provision for the operation of the homeless hub up to 2025.

(v)   That such updates on the Homeless Hub continue to be received, including proposals for operation beyond the current 2025 funding provision.

(i)            That the multi stranded requirement for a robust, support and accessible service to support staff and maintain their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues be noted.

(ii)          That the Council conduct a procurement exercise to re-tender for a service to provide the service

(iii)         That authorisation to award contract following tender evaluation be delegated to the Chief Executive in conjunction with the Service Director of Strategy, People and Performance

That the contents of the attached report and appendices be noted, and the Council’s service and financial performance for this period continue to be monitored and challenged.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following reports, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.