Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor which advised that a decision of Cabinet in relation to the above item (Minute 76 refers) had received a call in requisition signed by five members of the Committee.  The report set out the reason for the call in, together with a different decision put forward by the five Members concerned on the requisition note.

The Director of Housing and Inclusion attended the meeting and provided further clarification on points raised, referring to details as set down in the report of the Borough Solicitor.

In discussion Members made reference to;

·         If the decision should have been taken at Full Council,

·         Potential costs to the Council before a final decision at Full Council,

·         Use of Grant money to set up the shadow board,

·         Discussion around the governance arrangements for the shadow board.

It was moved by Councillor Westley and seconded by Councillor Whittington;

”That the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion be considered at Council on 25 April 2018, to include the establishment of the Shadow Board, associated staffing costs and the proposed governance arrangements.”

Upon being up to a recorded vote, 4 Members voted for the motion:

Councillors: Ashcroft, Moon, Westley and Whittington.

 9 Members voted against the Motion:

Councillors: Bullock, Davis, Delaney, Hudson, McKenna, Evans, Pendleton, Savage and Wynn.

Whereupon the Chairman declared the motion lost.

RESOLVED:   

That, as a consequence of the discussion on this item and the undertakings made it was determined that the Committee does not wish to ask for a different decision to the one agreed by the Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting on 28 February 2018.   

(Relevant Portfolio Holders: Councillors J Forshaw and I Moran)

Councillor Forshaw introduced the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion which sought authority for further preparation for the formation of a Development Company in order to drive forward the commercial ambitions of the Council.

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

RESOLVED  (A)    That the Development Objectives set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved.

                        (B)    That the formation of a single Development Company (Option 2 at paragraph 4.2 of the report) be endorsed as the best approach to delivering the Development Objectives set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

(C)    That the indicative implementation plan to establish a proposed Development Company set out in Appendix 5 to the report be endorsed.

                        (D)    That the Director of Housing and Inclusion in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders be authorised to put in place arrangements to form a Development Company in shadow format as identified at paragraph 7.8 of the report.

(E)    That a further report be presented to Council to consider finalising the establishment of the Development Company including  presentation of a full business case and proposals for appointment of Directors to the Company.