Decision details

Arising from a report of the Scrutiny Committee Working Group (Reviewing the Cost of Efficiencies), the Scrutiny Committee had recommended that:

a)        Areas of land for sale should be promoted by Members at Parish Council Meetings.

b)        A pricing structure for services that could be sold, for example to town and parish councils, local charities and small businesses be put together and actively promoted.

c)        Assets such as the Town Halls (Tiverton and Crediton) to be used to maximise income, either by sale, rent or by joint development as they are assets that could generate income. 

d)        Conditions of service to be reviewed to consider amending terms and conditions regarding sickness benefits for new employees.

e)        Management information to show long and short term sickness figures.

f)         That staff be incentivised to put forward business ideas and suggestions that could be taken forward to generate income and that some form of reward scheme be put in place.

g)        That the authority becomes less risk adverse and encourage new ventures.

h)        That the Scrutiny Committee undertake a review on the effect of price rises on the Leisure Service, based on appendix 1 of the report.

Consideration was given to each of the recommendations in order:

a)     It was felt that the promotion of areas of land for sale should be promoted by professionals so that Members could continue to be approached by local people and that Members could identify parcels of land rather than promote.  It was also felt that the Capital Strategy and Asset Management Group (CSAG) had a robust procedure in place.

RESOLVED that the recommendation (a) not be supported.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

b)     Concern was raised about the effect on small businesses in the local area if in-house services were to be sold, however working in partnership with other local businesses may be the way forward.  It was felt that further research was required and therefore it was:

RESOLVED that a pricing structure for services that could be sold, for example to Town and Parish councils, local charities and small business be researched and that a feasibility report be submitted to the Economy Policy Development Group.

(Proposed by  Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr N V Davey)

c)            It was generally felt that this was already taking place but that the buildings should not be specified, it was therefore:

RESOLVED that: buildings and other assets be used to maximise income, either by sale, rent or by joint development as they were assets that could generate income.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Note: Cllr N V Davey declared a personal interest as a Member of Tiverton Town Council.

d)            It was generally felt that this was an operational issue and therefore it was:

RESOLVED that the recommendation be NOTED and referred to the Chief Executive for consideration.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

e)            With regard to management information to show long and short term sickness figures, it was

RESOLVED that the recommendation be NOTED as the issue had already been addressed.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

f)             It was felt that this scheme had been used in the past and therefore it was :

RESOLVED that this be referred to the Chief Executive for him to deal with accordingly.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

g)            It was felt that that new ventures should be encouraged but that risk assessments must take place, it was therefore:

RESOLVED that the Local Authority encourage new ventures and seeks new business opportunities.

(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Mrs M E Squires)

h)           It was agreed that a review on the effect of price rises within the leisure service was already taking place and therefore it was:

RESOLVED that this matter continue to be reviewed by the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.