Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor P Wright.

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 9 May 2022.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 9 May 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

To receive an update on progress made with the Investment Plan due to be submitted as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Karl Apps, Assistant Director Economic Development and Regeneration, and Steve Lee, Assistant Director Transformation and Communication.  

Committee received an update on progress made with the Investment Plan due to be submitted as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Assistant Director of Transformation & Communication explained that the Council had commissioned a consultancy firm to support the process. 

Members discussed the aspects of the Plan that the Council would have to undertake itself. The Assistant Director of Transformation & Communication explained that commissioning would have to be undertaken by the Council.

Members requested a costed breakdown of what would happen with the fund, particularly in terms of how Section 106 money was used. The Assistant Director of Transformation & Communication explained that it was difficult to break down beyond thematic allocations at this stage because the Shared Prosperity Fund would simply be an amount given by the Government to then be allocated via a mixture of commissioning, competitive bidding rounds and direct allocations over the next two and a half years.  S106 funds had been included to provide an idea of spending totals.

Members were concerned that match funding for certain communities was mentioned in the plan. The Assistant Director of Transformation & Communication explained that match funding was generally expected in schemes like this.

Members discussed including assistance for specific areas within the plan. The Assistant Director of Transformation & Communication explained that the plan had not yet reached the point of identifying individual areas.

There were concerns that a consultancy firm would be employed to assist with the plan consultation, development and writing process. The Assistant Director of Transformation & Communication explained that in recognition of the tight timescale and workload required, the Government had issued a ringfenced resource to all Councils to allow them to engage third parties to support this work. 

RESOLVED - That the Committee notes the update.

Briefing on Scrutiny –

·     Scene Setting

·     The Terms of Reference for the Committee

·     How the Committee operates, ways of working – discussion.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer explained to Members the current remit of the Growth Scrutiny Committee, including the terms of reference of the Committee and how the Committee operated. 

Members agreed that the Committee’s focus should be on Council policies, strategies and issues that affect all areas of the District.

To agree the topic for the Committee’s Scrutiny Review.

Members agreed to extend and expand last year’s Spotlight Review on Business Engagement into the new Municipal Year.

RESOLVED - That the Committee undertakes a Scrutiny Review of Business Engagement. 

To consider items for the draft Work Programme for the year and any suggested items for inclusion.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed Members that in addition to the information contained within the Work Programme, the Director – Growth & Assets had agreed to discuss the Tourism Review with the Committee at the meeting on 19 September 2022, and the Assistant Director – Economic Development, Regeneration, and Housing Delivery had agreed to discuss Clay Cross Town Board and Levelling Up with the Committee at the meeting on 31 October.

Members discussed adding the Rural Economy onto the Work Programme. The Senior Scrutiny Officer advised that a Business Sector Analysis of the District would be presented to the Committee at the meeting on 31 October 22.

RESOLVED - That the Committee agrees the work programme for the 2022-23 municipal year. 

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

The Committee considered the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions.

RESOLVED - That the Committee noted the information. 

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

None. 

The next meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 September 2022 at 10.00 am.

The next meeting of Growth Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on 19 September 2022.

Following concerns raised on the suitability of the meeting day, the Chair would ask officers to look into the possibility of moving it back to Monday’s. Officers advised that it was originally moved to avoid clashes with other meetings, and due to the working patterns of officers, but would view the schedule of meetings to assess availability.

Members unanimously agreed not to have the plastic Covid screens up for the next Growth Scrutiny Committee meeting.