Agenda and minutes

To receive details of any Members appointed to attend the meeting instead of a Member of the Sub-Committee.

None.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

None.

Of the meeting held on 9^th March 2022 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th March 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the Sub-Committee note the progress made by Bereavement Services in enhancing the service provided to customers.

The Committee received a report from the Business Development Manager (Bereavement Services) which summarised actions taken to develop the service since his appointment in February 2020. There was an opportunity for Sub-Committee Members to ask questions and comment on the presentation.

Sub-Committee Members welcomed the report and acknowledged the progress made, including working with various volunteer groups on specific tasks, the full review of fees and charges in 2020/21, keeping the key charges competitive with other local crematoria, developing and improving relationships with funeral directors and improving the public experience and also the environmental impact.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee note the progress made by Bereavement Services in enhancing the service provided to customers.

That the Sub-Committee note the report of ARK consultancy on options for Council-Led Housing Development and the potential for a Housing Development Company as an appropriate vehicle for progressing these option.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the possibility of establishing a Housing Development Company. The Corporate Director – Homes and Communities presented the report and summarised the findings of a report produced by ARK, a housing specialist organisation.

Their advice at this stage was that the Council should not progress with developing a special purpose vehicle for direct housing production, or entering a long-term joint venture with a private developer or registered provider. The main reasons for this finding related to the limited scope for development within Worcester due to space constraint and the lack of land within the Council’s ownership that could be offered as a contribution to offset the Council’s costs in setting up either venture.

Furthermore, both options would likely require the Council to recruit additional and specialist resources at a time when the medium-term financial plan sets out the requirement to make significant annual savings.

Sub-Committee Members discussed the findings and in conclusion accepted the advice from ARK not to proceed to set up a Housing Development Company at this stage, however the Council should continue to consider an appropriate vehicle as part of the development of a Housing Enabling Strategy.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee note the report of ARK consultancy on options for Council-Led Housing Development and the potential for a Housing Development Company as an appropriate vehicle for progressing these options.

That the Sub-Committee note the Council’s annual and quarter 4 performance for 2021/22.

The Committee considered the annual and quarter 4 performance report. The Corporate Director – Finance and Resources presented the report and commented on the progress with regard to each of the Income Generation projects. The Head of Finance commented on the Key Performance Indicators - End of Year 2021/22

Officers responded to questions from Members on detailed aspects of the report.

The Corporate Director advised that a revised Commercial Strategy will be presented to the Committee in the Autumn.

There was a discussion about the future focus of this Sub-Committee. Members concluded that this should include the strategic direction for income generation, income management and identifying opportunities for maximising revenue.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee note the Council’s annual and quarter 4 performance for 2021/22.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

The Chair agreed to consider this matter as an item of additional business.

Councillor Mackay proposed that the Sub-Committee should consider the possibility of the Council developing its own car parking app as an alternative to Ringo. Other Sub-Committee Members agreed that there was merit in looking at this and requested Officers to present a report at a future meeting.

The Sub-Committee are invited to pass the following resolution:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act.

Of the meeting held on 9^th March 2022 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th March 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.