Agenda and minutes

Strategic (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee - Thursday, 12th September, 2019 6.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room

Contact: Christine Lewis 

Items
No. Item

8.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Checkland, Tapper and S. Wilcox

9.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest

10.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting were signed as a correct record.

11.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Minutes:

It was noted that the Revenues and Benefits Fundamental Review item had been moved to be considered at the November meeting.  It was reported more accurate figures had been obtained and preliminary findings were showing that the service was running well with a leading collection rate.  It had also found that the IT infrastructure was ok however more efficiencies could be realised.  It was asked if the service could be offered to other Local Authorities and it was reported that it would be part of the review.

 

The Committee also noted that there would be a special meeting in October to consider the Strategic Plan.

 

RESOLVED:  That the work programme be noted.

 

 

12.

Commercial Property Acquisition

Minutes:

Prior to the consideration of the Commercial Property Acquisition, the Committee discussed the Property Investment Strategy (PIS).  It was asked what the progress of the PIS had been to date and it was reported that it was approved in 2017 with the delivery process adopted in 2018.  It was also reported that although in place, no properties had met the criteria until now.  Following this, it was asked if it was felt whether this suggested that the target set in the PIS was unrealistic and it was noted that it was a fair observation and the MTFS could be amended if this became the case.

 

It was then asked if the current level of gross and net yield as approved in the PIS was now too ambitious and it was reported that it could be considered the case however as a property had been found, it suggested that that the Strategy was still satisfactory.  When asked, it was also confirmed that the matrix used to test the viability was appropriate for Lichfield’s needs.

 

It was suggested that the PIS could benefit from a review to investigate whether and changes were required to reflect the current climate.

 

It was noted by the Committee that a report on confidentiality and access to information would be considered by the Audit and Member Standards Committee.

 

 

 

13.

Exclusion of Press and Public

RESOLVED: “That as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, which would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972”

 

IN PRIVATE

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That, as publicity would be prejudicial to public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business which would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

 

                                                IN PRIVATE

 

14.

Commercial Property Acquisition

Minutes:

This item was confidential and considered in private.