Agenda item

Agenda item

Commercialisation Scrutiny Panel - Update

A report to enable the Commission to consider the implementation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet following its consideration of the report of the Commercialisation Scrutiny Panel and what, if any, further action may be required. To follow.

Minutes:

A report to enable the Commission to consider the implementation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet following its consideration of the report of the Commercialisation Scrutiny Panel and what, if any, further action may be required, was submitted (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Strategic Director for Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure assisted with the consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

 

      i.        The ‘Options for Change’ referred to in the report was the process of identifying potential ways for the council to generate income or to make savings for SLT to formally consider.

 

    ii.        The tenancy agreements in place as part of the council’s commercialisation strategy had not been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and there had been no issues with rent payments. The Council had carefully considered risks and had analysed the financial health of tenants in advance of the agreements.

 

   iii.        The tenancy agreements in place were long term and the Council was prepared for any unbudgeted occurrences relating to tenancy issues. The Council would ensure that properties were not vacant for extended periods of time.

 

   iv.        It was not possible for the Council to utilise properties within the Housing Revenue Account to generate income as this was governed by the Secretary of State.

 

    v.         It was acknowledged that the report was informative and thorough, and the actions taken in response to the recommendations outlined were praised.  

 

   vi.        In response to recommendation 16 regarding street cleaning services, it was highlighted that the current process of outsourcing the service was a lower cost option than undertaking the service internally.

 

  vii.        The funding for the Careers and Enterprise Hub which had recently opened in the town centre had been received as part of the Loughborough Town Deal. The property was a Charnwood Borough Council asset and occupation costs were being met by Loughborough College.

 

 viii.        Officers regularly compared service fees and charges to those of neighbouring authorities and figures were generally consistent. Any changes to current service fees and charges arrangements would involve Cabinet making a policy decision.

 

   ix.        The criteria outlined in the report had been used to increase revenue in existing services where possible.

 

    x.        The Council had utilised external experts in order to ensure robust due diligence had been undertaken.

 

   xi.        It was highlighted that a scrutiny panel on car parking charges had been completed at the Council a number of years ago. It was suggested that the recommendations and findings of this scrutiny panel be identified and reviewed. It was stated that SLT were in the process of car parks in the Borough and had provided a number of options to Cabinet for consideration.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Commission considered the information provided in respect of the implementation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet following its consideration of the report of the Commercialisation Scrutiny Panel and agreed with the progress suggested within the report.

 

2.    That the Democratic Services Manager identifies the recommendations and findings of the car parking charges scrutiny panel for the Scrutiny Commission to review.

 

Reasons

 

1.    To enable the Commission to be satisfied that decisions taken following scrutiny recommendations are being implemented satisfactorily, take or recommend any further action that is necessary and ensure the effectiveness of the scrutiny function.

 

2.    To provide the Scrutiny Commission  with information on previous work cpmpleted to establish potential income generation or savings relating to car parking.

Supporting documents: