Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Welton, Adlington-Stringer, Emmens, Fletcher, T Lacey, and Windley.

At 15:00, the Committee was not quorate and as such the Chair used the option within their gift to adjourn the meeting for 5 minutes to give Members time to attend the meeting.

At 15:04, Councillor Christine Gare entered the meeting and the meeting commenced.

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. 

There were no interests declared at the meeting.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Business Scrutiny Committee held on 16 February 2026.  

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Business Scrutiny Committee held on 16 February 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Council Plan Targets Performance Update. 

Amar Bashir, Improvement Officer/Richard Shaw, Improvement Officer

The Improvement Officer presented a report setting out progress on the strategies underpinning the Council Plan objective ‘A great place to work’ for the period ending 31 March 2026.

Members were updated on progress under the following objective sub-categories in Appendix 1 of the report:

1)       Community with growing commutable employment opportunities.

2)       Community with a diverse range of commutable employment that match the skills of residents.

Members picked up on the Jobs on Wheels programme, which gives advice to the public on job seeking and applications. The Assistant Director of Regeneration & Programmes gave further details to Members on the progress of the programme and Members noted the successes and appreciated the ingenuity.

RESOLVED - That progress against the Council Plan “A great place to work” objective was noted.

To receive an update on progress made against the Growth Strategy.

Steve Lee, Assistant Director of Regeneration & Programmes

Members received an update from the Assistant Director of Regeneration & Programmes on progress made on the Growth Strategy.

The presentation provided details on:

• Housing and Strategic Development Sites
• Sustainable Infrastructure and Accessibility
• Business Growth, Skills, Innovation and Investment
• Town Centre Development 
• The Visitor Economy

The Council’s Growth Strategy was cross departmental, including issues such as planning and housing, in reflection of housing being a key driver of the national Growth Agenda. With the updated requirements from Central Government particularly with the new National Planning Policy Framework, the Council is undertaking work to publish a new Local Plan which will aim to deliver sites for affordable, market and specialist housing but balance must be found with sites for employment. Members were updated on the funding change from the locally-managed UKSPF to the Local Growth Fund overseen by EMCCA and how that impacts the funding that the Council is able to acquire. Members were informed that the Derbyshire Accelerator Service which has received positive feedback in providing advice, training and networking to East Midlands businesses, has been extended until the new EMCCA-wide service is procured. Members also heard how the Regeneration team has seen big success with the Warm Homes Local Grant Scheme, securing competitive funding when compared to other Local Authorities.

Members received an update on the Clay Cross Town Centre Regeneration and were shown pictures of the works progressing in Clay Cross as part of the scheme. The Assistant Director of Regeneration & Programmes presented the structure for the Regeneration & Programme Department, as part of the restructuring the Council will no longer have a dedicated Tourism and Events Officer, however, this work would continue and be split among other senior and operational officers as required. The Chair expressed an appreciation that this work would continue as it was an achievement of the Committee to bring it in-house.

Members were also presented with ways that the Council is assisting businesses where possible including linking local businesses and local suppliers as well as demonstrating what the Council expects from businesses on standards, documentation, and compliance requirements to meet the criteria and expectations of the Council’s tendering process.

The Chair raised concerns on the efficacy of Business Scrutiny Committee and encouraged the Committee to be bold and think outside for the box when it comes to innovative ways and recommendations to support local businesses. Members expressed frustrations on the powers afforded to the Council by Central Government and how little control over changes that directly affect local business. The Senior Scrutiny Officer offered to meet with The Assistant Director of Regeneration & Programmes in order to bring back to Business Scrutiny, the details of what changes are possible and within the remit of the Council.

RESOLVED - That progress against the Growth Strategy was noted.

To inform Committee of recent and forthcoming Cabinet business.

A digest of Cabinet decisions taken since May 2025.  This information is published by Cabinet meeting on the Council’s website.  Cabinet Agendas, Decisions and Minutes can be viewed at: Cabinet

The Forward Plan of Executive decisions.

Plans

These plans are updated to include new business.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented a digest of Cabinet decisions taken since the last Committee meeting in February 2026. The digest set out key information for each decision.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented Members with the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions for the period up to 28 May 2026.

RESOLVED – That the update was noted.

To contribute to major Policies being considered by the Council.   

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed members that there was no Policy Developments.

To consider the Committee’s Work Programme, and to also consider and contribute to potential changes in the operating environment which may include legislation, regulation and key projects being undertaken by the Council, for example, that could form potential topic items for the Work Programme in the future. 

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented the Work Programme 2025/26 for the Committee and advised that the Programme for the year had come to an end, and now the focus would be on the Work Programme for 2025/26.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer explained that the Committee’s next meeting would include agreement of a new Work Programme.

The Chair suggested that, for the new Work Programme, the Committee look at what the Council can do to assist businesses with business rates by looking at terms and conditions.

The Chair also suggested that Carole Wood, from Derbyshire County Council be invited to a meeting of Business Scrutiny Committee, to present to Members an update about digital connectivity.

RESOLVED – That the Work Programme 2025/26 be agreed as complete.

To discuss the Annual Report with Committee Members.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer updated Members on the progress of the Annual Scrutiny Report and asked Members if there were specific items they wanted to flag to bring to them to the attention of the Senior Scrutiny Officer.

The Chair wanted to highlight the lobbying efforts of the District Council to the County Council in regards to digital connectivity.

RESOLVED – The update on the Annual Scrutiny Report – 2025/26 be noted.

To reflect on what the Committee had done to help the Council achieve the goal of making the District a Great Place for our Community.

The Chair asked Members to reflect on if the work of the Committee at the meeting had added value to the Council Plan objectives.

The Chair reflected the frustrations from earlier in the meeting about limited ability for the Council to have powers to have an impact. Members agreed that it felt like on many issues, they lacked the powers to assist businesses as much of the power to do so sat with Central Government.

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 Business Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for July 2026, and will be confirmed once the Committee Scheduled has been agreed.

The next meeting of the Business Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to take place 20 July 2026 at 15:00 provided the schedule of meetings is approved at the Annual General meeting.