Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for this meeting of the Development Sub-Committee.

To seek nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee and make recommendations to Council for these appointments.

It was proposed by Councillor Beecher, seconded by Councillor Rutherford and resolved that Councillor Williams be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Beecher, seconded by Councillor Rutherford and resolved that Councillor Williams be nominated as Chair of the Development Sub-Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2023/24.

It was proposed by Councillor Burrell, seconded by Councillor Williams and resolved that Councillor Beatty be nominated as Vice-Chair of the Development Sub-Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2023/24.

The appointments would be considered at Council on 13 July 2024.

To receive any apologies for non-attendance and details of Member substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gibson, Councillor Islam, Councillor Nichols and Councillor Sexton.

Councillor Dunn attended as substitute for Councillor Gibson, Councillor Bateson attended as substitute for Councillor Nichols, and Councillor Rutherford attended as substitute for Councillor Sexton.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2023 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillors Beatty, Beecher, Burrell, Howkins and Williams advised the Committee that they were members of the Planning Committee and therefore would not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

The Chair, or his nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were none.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues were received.

There were none.

To consider any urgent action that have arisen since last meeting.

Committee were informed of an urgent action at Thames Tower.

The Committee noted the Forward Plan for Development Sub-Committee business.

The Committee noted the forward plan.

To consider the frequency of Development Sub-Committee meetings.

The Committee discussed the frequency of the Development Sub-Committee meetings.

The Committee resolved to agree that the next meeting would be held on Monday 31 July 2023 and subsequent meetings would take place once a month starting from 4 September 2023.

To consider the Terms of Reference for the Development Sub-Committee.

The Committee discussed the Terms of Reference for the Development Sub-Committee.

To note the proposed actions to address the recommendations in the Public Interest Report.

The Committee received a report from the Group Head – Assets on the proposed action plan to address the recommendations of the Public Interest Report.

The Group Head – Assets advised the Committee that it had been agreed with members of the Audit Committee that an action plan would be presented to that Committee in July 2023. The Action plan was presented to members of the Development Sub-Committee first for further feedback. The Committee were advised that the action plan would work alongside the proposed Asset Management Strategy. The Group Head – Assets requested that three or four members of Development Sub-Committee were nominated to provide further feedback on the Asset Management Strategy. These members would be agreed at the next Development Sub-Committee on 31 July 2023.

The Committee advised that they wanted members to have involvement in the final version of the document. The Chair advised the Committee that the Financial Reporting Working Group would be working with Finance and Assets in order to make reports more accessible to members.

The Committee queried who was on the Financial Reporting Working Group and were advised that at present it was Councillors Boughtflower, Islam, Nichols, and Williams.

The Committee resolved to amend the recommendation in the report.

The Committee resolved to note the proposed actions to address the recommendations in the Public Interest Report and to ask the Group Head – Assets to further refine the proposed actions in consultation with the Financial Reporting Working Group.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, seconded by Councillor Beecher and resolved that the public and press be excluded during the remainder of the agenda items, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms

To consider a report on Local Authority Housing Fund Residential Acquisitions.

The Committee received a report from the Group Head – Assets on the acquisition of further properties from the Local Authority Housing Fund.

The Committee resolved to agree to the recommendations set out in the report.

To receive a verbal update from the Asset Manager on the Tender Report (attached).

The Committee received a verbal update from the Asset Management Consultant on the separation works for 2^nd Floor, Charter Building and 3 Roundwood Avenue.

The Committee noted the updates.

To receive a verbal update from the Asset Management Contractor.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Development Management Consultant on the Oast House.

The Committee noted the update.

To consider an urgent item on Thames Tower

The Deputy Leader has authorised the addition of this item for the following reason:

“Due to an urgent decision being needed, this item has been added as it would not be appropriate to delay consideration until the next meeting of the Development Sub-Committee.”

The Committee received a report from the Principal Asset Manager, on a tenant at Thames Tower.

The Committee resolved to agree to the recommendation as set out in the report.