Lead Member – Councillor Michael Wood – Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise  TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

That the Commercial Strategy for the period 2017 to 2021, attached as appendix A to the report, be approved and adopted.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support, assisted by the Deputy Portfolio Holder, presented the report from the Director of Place and Enterprise on the Council’s first Commercial Strategy to work towards the objective of enabling the authority to become financially sustainable by the 2020/21 financial year. Particular attention was drawn to paragraph 4.4 of the report that detailed the proposed targets to be delivered. 

Members noted the Commercial Assets of the Council as detailed in section 3 of the Strategy document and agreed that the Council’s staff represented a great asset to the authority and should be thanked and valued for their input.

The Leader commented that the document was a working document that was continually evolving; there was a need to invest and make money in future and ensure that the right infrastructure was in place at the right time.  In answer to Members’ concerns on the future of the Council’s housing stock, the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and the Environment stated that there were no current plans to sell off the housing stock but it was only right that all the available options were properly investigated and assessed; the Leader confirmed the merits of consideration of all options.

A Member commented on the emphasis in the document on traded services and he stressed that services of social value were also important and should not be overlooked.  Responding, the Leader commented that the Commercial Strategy was aiming to make the Council more business-like and provided a clear vision for the future delivery of services.  The Chief Executive stressed that the model proposed was very different commercial activity than the former ip&e.

Responding to a Member’s request for a full briefing on the issues within the document, the Leader stated that he always welcomed a discussion with any Member who may seek further information and clarification.

RESOLVED:

That the Commercial Strategy for the period 2017 to 2021, attached as appendix A to the report, be approved and adopted.