Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made. 

To consider the Minutes of a previous meeting held on 20 January 2022.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2022 be approved as a correct record. 

There was nothing to update from Cabinet. 

The Committee considered a report on the Commercial Strategy.  The Strategy had been approved by Cabinet in October 2019; the Committee had requested a regular 6 monthly update and this was the first review.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced the report noting that the council’s commercial portfolio contributed an annual sum £400,000 in revenue.  He referred the committee to a number of areas of work in progress as listed including land at Apedale, Chesterton where an application to let the site for a 25 year term had been approved by Cabinet and the recent purchase of York Place as part of the Future High Streets Fund project.

Members asked questions as follows:

·         Was there any concern around the resilience of the approach to hold fewer but better assets to generate better income streams?  In response the committee was advised that the Commercial Strategy also focused on increased diversification of asset/investment base so that risk was spread across various sectors and geographies.

·         Was the reference to investigating sustainable energy solutions for assets did this relate to investing in community energy schemes or setting up our own energy solution?   The committee was advised that work had been undertaken to look at the energy performance of the council’s own assets and repair costs were now built into the Capital Programme.  There was ongoing work to look at energy solutions including options around the council generating its own energy or using sustainable energy solutions.  The council was aiming to be net carbon zero by 2030. 

Resolved: that the update be noted and a further update be made in 6 months’ time. 

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This item includes a supplementary report.

The committee considered an update on the Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2022 – 25.  The Committee noted and welcomed the heightened requirements to deliver Social Value whereby it was important to take into consideration the impact of the procurement processes on the local environment and social wellbeing of the community.  Members were also informed of the importance of sustainable procurement.

Resolved: that the update on the Procurement Strategy be received and noted.

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The Committee considered the financial and performance review report for the third quarter, October - December 2021.

The Committee was informed that 84% of indicators were on target compared to 77% at Quarter 2.

Members requested that information on the number of empty units as a figure rather than a percentage be submitted to the next meeting.

Resolved: that:

(a)  The report be received and noted; and

(b)  The next agenda include an update from Cabinet on the empty units in the town centre including specific figures relating to the numbers of Council owned units that are empty, expressed as numbers rather than percentages. 

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The Committee considered a report on the council’s submission for Rough Sleeper Initiative Funding 2022 – 25.  The report set out services that would be funded should the bid be successful. 

Members asked how the Homeless Hub would operate and were advised that details were yet to be finalised pending the outcome of the funding bid. 

Resolved: that

(a)  The update be received; and

(b)  Further information be submitted to a future meeting on progress with the bid and the services it will fund. 

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The Committee considered the Work Programme.

Resolved: that the Work Programme be received. 

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council

There were no public questions.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

There was no urgent business.