Issue - meetings

(Report of the Leader of the Council previously considered by the Committee on the 16^th November 2023)

Report of the Leader of the Council to provide the committee with an overview of council performance for the second quarter of the 2023-24 financial year (July to September 2023). It reports the position in relation to progress with strategic projects and updates on the financial position, corporate risk, audit, information governance and complaints. Cabinet considered the report on 30^th November 2023.

The Chair introduced the report that was returning to the committee following on from the meeting on the 16^th November when the committee requested that the report return for endorsement when the Leader of the Council could attend the meeting. It was highlighted that there had now been a change of leadership.

The committee made the following comments/observations and asked the following questions:

1.     What measures had been put in place since the demolition of the Peel café to ensure the situation did not happen again?

The Chief Executive confirmed that moving forward any works in relation to the Future High Street Fund project requiring planning approval would be considered through a full planning committee meeting.

It was also confirmed that a report was due to be presented at the extraordinary council meeting on the 15^th of January 2024 including a presentation of the whole scheme and also to inform on the project’s updates that require council endorsement.

A recommendation was discussed to consider whether any council asset requiring licensing or planning permission should go through a full committee meeting however it was agreed that this matter would be discussed separately to try to resolve this issue.

The committee highlighted the importance of ensuring good governance was in place around decisions in future to ensure that people are fully engaged and informed.