Agenda and minutes

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

Councillor Hall declared an ‘other’ interest in agenda item 13 Lease of land at Serpentine Depot, Burlington Road, Buxton (reason: Director of the CI Company : Serpentine Community Farm)

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2019 be approved as a correct record, subject to the deletion of Councillor Lomax from the list of those present and the recording of his apology for absence.

The Committee considered the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 30 June (1^st Quarter 2019/20).

Specific reference was made to the £800,000 efficiency savings made for 2019/20 against a target of £714,000, and a breakdown of where those savings had been achieved was provided.  An explanation for the shortfall in the business rates collection rate was also given, with it being noted that an adjustment would be made through the collection fund. 

Regarding procurement, there are a number of significant ‘high level’ areas of activity including CCTV maintenance contract and HRA capital works.  The potential for electricity to be sourced from suppliers who buy from renewable generators was discussed, to which members were advised that a new procurement strategy was to be agreed and that currently, the energy contract included 48% renewables.

RESOLVED:

That the First Quarter 2019/20 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at paragraph 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

The Committee considered the Corporate Plan to cover the period 2019 to 2023.  The plan sets out the Council’s vision, aims and objectives and provides clear direction for the delivery of services and the achievement of positive outcomes for residents.

The plan includes 20 key objectives across four aims and also includes a set of political visions.  It was suggested that a Performance Review Working Group be established to examine performance and ensure priorities and targets for the performance regime match the plan.  Quarterly reports would be made to Corporate Select Committee as well as an annual report to Council in October to enable performance and the plan to be reviewed. 

A number of comments were made, including:

·         risk assessment (para 6.8), include reference to extreme weather events which could impact on the council’s performance

·         development of the corporate plan / empirical evidence (para 8.1) – include environmental factors and / climate change

·         jobs and businesses (para 9.7) encourage innovative business start ups and enterprises

·         protect and improve the environment (para 9.7) – suggest remove reference to car parking and add to last bullet point reduce CO2 emissions and other impacts on the natural environment

·         priority outcomes (para 11.1) – protect and improve the environment – amend last bullet point to ‘through planning and delivering an effective response to climate change’ or ‘through delivering a plan’

·         amend wording of the vision to include reference to ‘protect and invest’

·         disappointed that financial resilience / competence has not been included

·         refer to residents and businesses

·         Performance Framework workshop to look at the outcome of the consultation process

·         Welcome communication with Derbyshire and Greater Manchester to extend fares scheme, and work with businesses and organisations to encourage people to use public transport

·         Re-chargeable points for cars in car parks

·         New procurement strategy – ensure that local businesses are aware of tendering opportunities

·         Diversity policies – query how celebrate

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the above amendments, the Executive be requested to:

1.         recommend that Council approves the Council’s vision, aims, objectives, influencing objectives and priorities;

2.         adopt a process of internal and external consultation and engagement as set out in the report;

3.         Support the establishment of a working group to agree a new performance framework.

The Committee considered the revised Data Protection Policy which had been updated in light of recent legislative changes.  It was added that a privacy notice for councillors and short guide had been drafted which would be published towards the end of October.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the Council’s revised Data Protection Policy.

A meeting of the Council Tax Working Group would be held on 26 November 2019.

It was requested that the work previously undertaken in respect of the impact of the closure of Buxton Court be circulated to members in advance of the meeting of Corporate Select Committee on 25 November, where representatives of the court service would be in attendance.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committees’ Work Programmes be noted.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as set out in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2019 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered an update on the scheme to renovate the Glossop Town Hall Roof and the results of further survey work on the condition of the Market Hall and Municipal Buildings and the required works to resolve the issues identified, and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered a lease and agreement to lease of the land and buildings at Serpentine Depot to Serpentine Community Farm and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered an agreement between High Peak Borough Council and Buxton Golf Club to surrender the existing golf club lease and a simultaneous re-grant of a revised area with amended terms and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered the disposal of land at Granby Road and made recommendations to the Executive.