Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor M Emmens and M Roe.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time. 

There were no interests declared at this meeting. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 2 August 2021.

RESOLVED– That the Minutes of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 2 August 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Discussion on procurement arrangements within the Authority with the Head of Finance and the Procurement Manager.

The Head of Finance and Resources and Section 151 Officer and the Procurement Team were present at the meeting to discuss the procurement arrangements at NEDDC.

The Committee heard that procurement provided its services to three local authorities (North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, and Gedling Borough Council) and some parish councils.

Members received a presentation which outlined a number of key elements to the procurement service including the general principles of procurement, procurement stages, routes to market, the E-procurement system, and working with officers and suppliers.

The Committee was informed about the social value impact which was used to determine what weight should be given to local businesses, the local economy and provide local employment opportunities.

Members heard how the procurement service supported the Council’s services by assisting them during the process. This included support in identifying a framework, going to open tender, using the online portal, and setting criteria on the scoring methodology. It was stated that contract management was handed over to service managers after the procurement process had finished.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider a verbal update and presentation on progress of this development from the Director of Economic Growth & Development and the Senior Regeneration Officer & Urban Designer.

The Committee welcomed the Senior Urban Regeneration Officer to the meeting to provide an update on emerging proposals for the Dronfield Civic Centre area. 

Members discussed the Dronfield Civic Centre area and the issues that it had faced in recent years, along with issues such as parking, vacant retail units and a general decline in the built environment around the Civic Centre shops.

The Committee was informed that a steering group was meeting next month to decide the next steps.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To discuss management of assets with the Facilities and Contracts Manager.

The Assistant Director of Property Services and the Facilities and Contracts Manager were present at the meeting to discuss the management of assets at North East Derbyshire District Council.

Members received a presentation which informed them of the management of operational assets – testing and repairs; management of operational assets – project update; management of investment portfolio; and management of land assets.

The Committee also discussed the capital works programme, the sale of specific assets, small business units, the Bridge Street Depot, and Council and Rykneld owned offices.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To discuss In House Services with the Director of Operations & Head of Paid Service.

The Committee welcomed the Director of Corporate Resources and Head of Paid Service to discuss In House Services.

Members heard that the Authority outsourced a number of services including occupational health, internal audit, cleaning services, and fitness instructors. There were also a number of joint officers and jointly provided services with Bolsover District Council (BDC) such as Joint Assistant Directors and Streetscene for example. It was explained that there were several examples of these where officers were either employed on BDC contracts or NEDDC contracts, but worked 50/50 across both authorities, with either NEDDC or BDC subsequently charging the other for their services.

The Committee was informed that the Authority looked to sell its services when appropriate as it was a good way of raising income. One example of this was the Joint Procurement Service which also provided its services to Gedling Borough Council and were currently in discussion with Mansfield District Council to provide the same – this in turn generated an income to the Council.

The Committee discussed the recycling service which had recently been brought in house.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider suggestions from Members and select a topic for the Scrutiny Review.

The Committee agreed to defer the selection of the Review topic until the next meeting. The Director of Corporate Resources and Head of Paid Service agreed to inform the Committee of any Review topic suggestions he could think of prior to the next meeting.

To consider the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions.  Please note, the most up-to-date Forward Plan of Executive Decisions can be accessed via the following link:-

https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=1137&RD=0&bcr=1

AGREED – That the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions be noted.

To consider the Work Programme for the Growth Scrutiny Committee 2021/22 and review the proposed workload.

The Committee agreed to continue to monitor assets further at a future meeting.

AGREED – That the Work Programme be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no additional urgent items at this meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee.

The next meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee will be held on Monday, 22 November at 1.00 pm.

The next meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee would take place on Monday 22 November 2021 at 1pm.