Issue - meetings

To consider and agree the terms of reference for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee, and to agree to make changes to the terms of reference for the Development Sub-Committee.

Councillor Chandler joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams at 19:09.

Following a referral from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 17 July 2023, the Development Sub-Committee considered the terms of reference for a new proposed Commercial Asset Sub-Committee and proposed changes to the terms of reference for the Development Sub-Committee. The original report suggested splitting the Development Sub-Committee’s remit so that commercial assets could be dealt with under a separate sub-committee.

The Sub-Committee suggested the following amendments to the terms of reference for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee: that the reference of acquisitions relating to regeneration be refined.

The Sub-Committee suggested the following amendments to the terms of reference for the Non-Commercial Development Sub-Committee: that the reference to membership reflect the same membership for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee, and that clarity should be provided around the term ‘non-commercial’.

The Sub-Committee suggested that there should be some clarity as to mixed-use developments, and the Group Head – Assets recommended that this would sit best in the developing Asset Management Strategy.

The Committee resolved to agree

1.    The terms of reference for the new Commercial Assets Sub-Committee with the amendments discussed

2.    The changes to the terms of reference for the Development Sub-Committee with the amendments discussed

3.    To note that any Constitutional changes required as a result of the recommendations in the report will be considered by the Standards Committee on 4^th October 2023.

Committee is asked to consider and approve the creation of a Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.

Councillor Nichols entered the Chamber at 20:16

The Committee considered a report that sought approval for the creation of a new Commercial Assets Sub-Committee with associated Terms of Reference and the changes to the Terms of Reference for the existing Development Sub-Committee.

The Committee agreed in principle to the creation of a Commercial Assets Sub-Committee but wanted to look at its Terms of Reference again and alongside this look at the revisions needed to the Terms of Reference for the Development Sub-Committee. A focus group would be set up that would consist of members and officers to look at both Terms of Reference and report back to this Committee with their recommendations. If additional professional advice was needed, the Committee agreed to undertake a procurement exercise to employ an external consultant.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Create a Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

2.    Delegate authority to the Development Sub-Committee to revisit the Terms of Reference for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee and to revise its own Terms of Reference and to take any professional advice as required; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to consider any constitutional changes that are required.