Agenda and minutes

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

Councillor Sizeland declared an ‘other’ interest in agenda item 8, “Disposal Policy for Land and Property including land related transactions”

None

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Jo Taylor in the list of those in attendance, the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2025 be approved as a correct record.

A meeting of the Select Committee Programming Group is to be held shortly to agree the future Select Committee Work Programmes. An Asset Management Working Group will be convened in due course.  It was suggested that a future meetings of Economy & Growth Select Committee could be held in the new Glossop Market Hall to be preceded by a tour of the site.  A tour of the Revitalising Buxton site in Buxton was also requested.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the above, the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

The Committee considered a new Communications Strategy which will guide the Council’s communications work and activities over the next three years.  As set out in the Strategy, there is also an Action Plan 2025-26 sitting alongside the new Communications Strategy, which captures key ‘one-off’ and new actions that the Communications Team will lead on and help deliver over the course of the next year.  Action Plans for subsequent years will be submitted to the Committee in due course.

Reference was made to the planned introduction of a members’ newsletter, following previous consultation undertaken, and positive feedback to a similar initiative introduced during the pandemic.  A residents’ newsletter is also to be produced. The need to communicate effectively with residents around key issues was also discussed, including so called `transactional` communications including public notices advising of the closure of facilities, where often insufficient details are provided i.e. when the works will be completed

Discussion ensued around work on-going to assess the implications of LGR, particularly in terms of the council’s systems and partnership working going forward. 

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the Council’s new Communications Strategy for 2025-2028 and Communications Action Plan 2025-2026.

The Committee considered the outcomes from the Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review which took place on the 5 November 2024.  The next steps in the process are for the managerial and political leadership to reflect on the findings and suggestions in order to determine how the organisation intends to take things forward, particularly in the light of Devolution and LGR, and there will be a further report in July.

Reference was made to efforts being made to increase community participation in scrutiny, including joint scrutiny with SMDC, greater participation from Parish Councils in the Parish Forum and the appointment of tenant representatives to the Housing Board.  Consideration is also being given to the introduction of webcasting for some meetings where possible.  Suggestions for effective communication and consultation with residents around projects such as LGR, Revitalising Buxton and leisure services were discussed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the findings from the Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review report be noted; and

2.    That a further report be made in July on progress and next steps against the recommendations.

The Committee considered an update to the Disposal Policy for Land and Property including land related transactions that was last approved on 30 July 2018.  A full review of the policy has been undertaken, with no material changes, although a new section has been added to recognise that LGR is likely to have an impact on the Council’s decisions around asset disposals.

Discussion was held regarding Community Asset Transfers which is included within the policy.  The need to undertake due diligence, including the existence of robust and deliverable business plans was discussed together with the impact of LGR on the management of assets.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the disposal policy for land and property as attached at Appendix A to the report.

None

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 the consideration of the following item 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 exempt minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2025 be approved as a correct record.