Public Issues
To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of public questions is mid-day on Thursday 29 August 2024 [mid-day 3 clear working days before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day on Tuesday 3 September 2024 [mid-day the working day before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 20 August 2024 [10 working days before the meeting].
Decision:
Cabinet was advised that there had been no statements or petitions submitted from members of the public on this occasion but that one question had been received in relation to Agenda Item 10 (Progress update on the ‘Best Value Notice’.
Public Question received from John Sprackling
The Association is concerned about the short life of BCP Future Places Ltd. Please can the Council say what the costs of setting up and closing down the Company were, what benefits were achieved and what has the Council learned from the exercise.
Response by the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places, Councillor Millie Earl
To remind members of the public, Cabinet received a report 27th September 2023 which explained The future of Future Places regeneration and development.pdf (bcpcouncil.gov.uk).
In Jan 24 Audit & Governance Committee and Cabinet received the following reports relating to improved governance arrangements for council owned companies:
A&G: Council Owned Companies Shareholder Governance Review.pdf (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Cabinet: Council-Owned Companies - Shareholder Governance Review.pdf (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
At Full Council in February 2024, a Council officer, Mr Chris Shephard, was asked to oversee the closure of Future Places Ltd. On July 25, 2024, the FuturePlaces Ltd board decided to close the company, having undertaken the necessary work, and this process is currently underway with Companies House with an application submitted.
The total net cost of establishing and closing BCP FuturePlaces Ltd amounted to £5.3 million. In addition, the Council incurred further expenses of £546,000 for work procured from the company, along with some minor legal and financial administration costs.
The benefits are that significant technical surveys were undertaken on several sites and that multidisciplinary approach continues to be valid and relevant information to inform the delivery strategies for the sites.
In terms of lessons learned:
1. The work Future Places undertook was preparatory in relation to the sites they were focused on, not delivery.
2. Much of the learning has been incorporated by transferring the people into the Investment and Development directorate, where we continue to benefit from their experience and expertise
Minutes:
Cabinet was advised that there had been no statements or petitions submitted from members of the public on this occasion but that one question had been received in relation to Agenda Item 10 (Progress update on the ‘Best Value Notice’).
Public Question received from John Sprackling
The Association is concerned about the short life of BCP Future Places Ltd. Please can the Council say what the costs of setting up and closing down the Company were, what benefits were achieved and what has the Council learned from the exercise.
Response by the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places, Councillor Millie Earl
To remind members of the public, Cabinet received a report 27th September 2023 which explained The future of Future Places regeneration and development.pdf (bcpcouncil.gov.uk).
In Jan 24 Audit & Governance Committee and Cabinet received the following reports relating to improved governance arrangements for council owned companies:
A&G: Council Owned Companies Shareholder Governance Review.pdf (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Cabinet: Council-Owned Companies - Shareholder Governance Review.pdf (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
At Full Council in February 2024, a Council officer, Mr Chris Shephard, was asked to oversee the closure of Future Places Ltd. On July 25, 2024, the FuturePlaces Ltd board decided to close the company, having undertaken the necessary work, and this process is currently underway with Companies House with an application submitted.
The total net cost of establishing and closing BCP FuturePlaces Ltd amounted to £5.3 million. In addition, the Council incurred further expenses of £546,000 for work procured from the company, along with some minor legal and financial administration costs.
The benefits are that significant technical surveys were undertaken on several sites and that multidisciplinary approach continues to be valid and relevant information to inform the delivery strategies for the sites.
In terms of lessons learned:
1. The work Future Places undertook was preparatory in relation to the sites they were focused on, not delivery.
2. Much of the learning has been incorporated by transferring the people into the Investment and Development directorate, where we continue to benefit from their experience and expertise