Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There was no urgent business.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

The following items contain exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the ground that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Resolved

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the ground that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Officers from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council will give a presentation to review the current status and an opportunity for committee to ask questions

Resolved

(1)  That the contents of the presentation by the Officers of the Solihull Partnership be noted.

The Head of Corporate Property Services and the Assistant Director of Finance, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, gave a verbal update on the Solihull Partnership.

The Commercial Director for Cherwell District Council (CDC) and the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) Head of Corporate Property Services acknowledged thaterrors had been made at both SMBC and CDC but the project was now running smoothly due to recent effort from both SMBC and CDC. The early stages of the project had been hindered by high staff turnover in key positions and a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities.

The Commercial Director clarified that the roles and responsibilities of both CDC and SMBC had been defined, that the contract was now in place and that permanent staff had filled the key positions that had previously been vacant or only filled on a temporary basis.

Resolved

(1)       That the verbal update be noted.

(The Head of Corporate Property Services and the Assistant Director of Finance, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, left the meeting at the conclusion of this item).

The Commercial Director will provide a verbal update to the Committee

Resolved

(1)  That the verbal update be noted.

The Commercial Director gave a verbal update on the Solihull Partnership.

In response to Members’ questions, the Commercial Director informed the Committee that more resources had been put into the project. It was acknowledged   that the scope of the initial project had been too ambitious and was now more realistic.

The Committee was advised that the Properties and Facilities Manager and her team were now all in post and would provide the continuity that had been lacking in personnel between Cherwell District Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Members requested that they continue to receive regular updates on the progress of capital projects held by the Solihull Partnership.

Resolved

(1)          That the verbal update be noted.

The Committee to resolve to re-admit the Press and Public.

Resolved

That the press and public be readmitted.

** Please note that the appendix to this report are to follow as they are currently being reviewed and finalised by the Commercial Director. **

Report of the Chief Finance Officer

Purpose of Report

This report provides an update to the Council’s Revenue and Capital position for the first nine months of the financial year 2016-17 and projections for the full year as requested at the meeting of this Committee on 28 February 2017.

Recommendations

 1.1        To review the update to the projected revenue and capital position at the end of December 2016, which provides additional information relating to significant revenue variances and slippage against the capital programme, and make any comments to Executive.

Resolved

(1)  That the additional information to the projected revenue and capital position at the end of December 2016 relating to significant revenue variances and slippages against the capital programme on the projected revenue and capital position  be noted and no comments be referred to Executive.

The Chief Finance Officer submitted a report which provided an update on queries raised by Members regarding overspend within Regeneration and Housing and slippage in capital projects at their 28 February meeting when the Committee had considered a report on the Council’s Revenue and Capital position for the first nine months of the financial year 2016-17 and projections for the full year.

In response to Members’ questions, the Chief Finance Officer explained that the unanticipated closure of British Home Stores at Castle Quay and the costly nature of agency staffing had been responsible for some of the slippages.

Members were assured that the number of agency staff was reducing as the Property and Investment Services Team was now fully established with permanent staff members.

The Committee was advised that town centre initiatives were being discussed and it was believed that Castle Quay phase II would improve the town centre’s prospects.

Resolved

(1)          That the additional information to the projected revenue and capital position at the end of December 2016 relating to significant revenue variances and slippages against the capital programme on the projected revenue and capital position  be noted and no comments be referred to Executive.