Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer as contained on pages 293 to 301 of the Book of Reports.  The report had previously been presented to Cabinet on 14 September 2021, which sought authority to instruct Local Partnerships to undertake an independent review of Tawd Valley Developments Limited as outlined in the scope set out in paragraph 6.3 of the report.

The Chief Operating Officer outlined the report which sought Members comments in respect of steps to progress the independent review in order to present a report with their findings to Council at the earliest opportunity, which she explained is likely to be in December.

The following discussion, comments and suggestions were raised:

• That Members meet at the earliest opportunity with the Local Partnership review team, with the option of meeting in their Groups
• That it would be best practice for a 'single point of contact' to be made between the Local Partnership and Council, who will have responsibility of ensuring that they are provided with all the appropriate paperwork.
• To receive information on how Brexit and Covid have impacted on the current Business Plan.
• To have view of the full five years of the Business Plan.
• Financial contribution – WLBC pay one third of review
• There is no value in the comparison with other Councils, unless it looks at those performing well and also those who are closing their companies down e.g. Croydon, to learn from their experience.
• Concerns were raised about whether the review would focus too heavily on Governance at the expense of the financial performance and projections of the Development Company. 

(The Legal and Democratic Services Manager informed the Committee that she would email details of similar reviews undertaken by Local Partnership at other authorities).

RESOLVED: That the following agreed comment of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Chief Operating Officer and relevant Portfolio Holder for their consideration.

"That Members receive the updated and current financial position on the approved Business Plan at the time the report goes to Council'.  

(Note: Councillor D Westley asked for it to be recorded that he had asked for a copy of the original Grant Application provided by Central Government to assist in establishing Tawd Valley Developments Limited, and the terms upon which the Grant was agreed.  He advised that he was informed that neither of the documents can be found).

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, which  sought authority to instruct Local Partnerships to undertake an independent review of Tawd Valley Developments Limited as outlined in the scope set out in paragraph 6.3 of the report.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details set out in the report before it and the reasons contained therein

RESOLVED:   A.   That authority is granted to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to take all necessary steps to progress the independent review as outlined in the scope detailed in paragraph 6.3 of the report and present their findings to Council at the earliest opportunity.

                          B.   That a maximum investment of £10,000 to undertake the review be approved.

                          C.   That the Chief Operating Officer be given delegated authority in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to consider any agreed comments from Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

                          D.   That Call In is not appropriate for this item as the Report is being submitted to a special meeting of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the 23rd September 2021