Agenda item

Please refer to the recommendations detailed below.

The Chairman advised that it was proposed that items 6a and 6b be taken together.

Item 6a – Cabinet 23 November 2022 – Minute No 79 – Finance Strategy Update Report

Councillor Philip Broadhead, the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration presented the Finance Strategy Update Report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda. In doing so the Portfolio Holder advised that a proposed amendment to the recommendations had been circulated to all members by email and requested that this be taken as the substantive recommendation.

It is RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(d)        approves the disposal of Non-Strategic Asset Sales as set out in confidential appendix A, subject to achieving the estimated sales value for each lot, with the decision delegated to the Director of Finance in consultation with the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Council as appropriate;

(e)        agrees that, in respect of the properties listed as a), b) and c) in the confidential Appendix A to this report, that the sales of these properties proceed by way of sealed bids to be opened in the presence of the Monitoring Officer and observed by Group Leaders;

(f)          approves the establishment of a cross-party Councillor Working Group to review the Council’s capital disposal strategy for 2023-2024 with an initial item of business to review the current process for capital disposal with a view to strengthening public trust and transparency in the process; and

(g)        approves a pooled budget arrangements in relation to section 117 aftercare as set out in appendix B.

Note – resolutions (a), (b) and (c) were resolved matters by the Cabinet.

A proposition to move the meeting into exempt session was made, this was seconded but fell upon being put to the vote with only 14 members in favour.

Councillor Farquhar requested that his vote against the proposition to move into exempt session be minuted.

The meeting adjourned at 9.07pm and reconvened at 9.26pm.

At the request of the required number of members Council then took a recorded vote collectively on recommendations (d), (e) and (f) which was carried as follows:

For – 37

Against – 29

Abstentions –

Voting on recommendation (g) – Unanimous

Councillor D Mellor declared an interest in this item and left the room for the discussion and voting thereon.

Item 6b – Cabinet 14 December 2022 – Minute No 90 – 2022/23 Budget Monitoring and Financial Strategy Update

Councillor Philip Broadhead, Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration presented the 2022/23 Budget Monitoring and Financial Strategy Update Report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council agree the acceptance of general fund revenue grant for adult social care as set out in paragraph 64.

Voting: Unanimous

Councillor D Mellor declared an interest in this item for transparency purposes and left the room for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillors H Allen, A Filer, M Howell and M White left the meeting at 9.52pm.

Item 6c – Cabinet 14 December 2022 – Minute No 98 – Externalisation of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Councillor B Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places presented the report on the Externalisation of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council agrees: -

(a)            that the future of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, for which it is sole trustee, would be best served by externalisation in the form of the transfer of Sole Trusteeship to a new corporate entity (CLG or CIO) to operate and manage the charity;

(b)           as Sole Trustee of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to make a formal application to the Charity Commission for a change of governance under Section 73 of Charities Act 2011 to replace the Council as sole trustee with a new corporate entity (CLG or CIO) acting as sole trustee and for the modernisation of governance articles;

(c)            to establish a Corporate Entity (CLG or CIO) and appoint a Shadow Board of 5 nominees to oversee the transition to independence, provide continuity and stability and to maintain an on-going supportive maintain an on-going supportive relationship with the new CLG/CIO;

(d)           to negotiate, during the transition phase, future years grant support for the new Trustee, along with the transfer of assets, lease arrangements etc with an expected vesting day of 1 April 2024 at the earliest; and

(e)            To delegate authority to the Director of Finance, Director of Law & Governance and the Chief Operations Officer to determine the best financial model in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Voting: Unanimous