Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2021 are attached to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of 1 April 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

No apologies received.

To declare disposable pecuniary, and any other interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

The Joint Chief Executive declared a pecuniary interest to item 6 on the Agenda.

The Chairman announced that as the Council has declared a Climate Change Emergency, recognising the importance of the issue, he would, as the Leader of the Council, appoint himself as a Climate Change Champion and Chairman of the Climate Change Working Group.

None.

The Joint Chief Executive left at 7.04pm.

The Council has agreed to set up a wholly owned Company limited by shares to hold and maintain residential assets procured by the Council.  This report deals with the draft business case and seeks Cabinet’s approval.

RECOMMENDATION

That Cabinet:

A.       Agrees the initial Business Plan attached at Appendix 1. The areas specifically highlighted in yellow in the business plan, are particularly recommend for discussion.

B        Invites the Joint Chief Executive and the Commercial Finance Manager to be the Council’s two employee appointed Directors to the Board of the Hart Housing Property Management Company Ltd.

C        Authorises the Head of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Commercialisation, to appoint a suitable independent lay person who has knowledge and skills in property letting and management to the Board of Directors of the Hart Housing Property Management Company Ltd.

The Council agreed to set up a wholly owned Company limited by shares to hold and maintain residential assets procured by the Council. This report deals with the draft business case and seeks Cabinet’s approval.

Members were informed that the shareholder agreement could take on new residential properties in further regeneration projects.  The Chairman wanted to confirm that we need to underpin our commercialisation strategy to find ways to generate income in ways that are appropriate and transparent.

DECISION

That Cabinet:

A.        Agreed the initial Business Plan attached at Appendix 1.

B         Invited the Joint Chief Executive and the Commercial Finance Manager to be the Council’s two employee appointed Directors to the Board of the Hart Housing Property Management Company Ltd.

C         Authorised the Head of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Commercialisation, to appoint a suitable independent lay person who has knowledge and skills in property letting and management to the Board of Directors of the Hart Housing Property Management Company Ltd.

The Joint Chief Executive returned at 7.14pm.

To consider and amend the Cabinet Work Programme.

The Cabinet Work Programme was considered and amended.

1.   Waste and Resources Strategy progress update will now be done at a Member Briefing later this month.

2.   Initiatives from the Climate Change Working Group will be added following discussions at their next meeting.

3.   A report regarding opportunities around affordable housing in the district will be added.