Decision details

Consider and approve revised stakeholder governance arrangements for the Clay Farm Community Centre.

Matter for Decision

The Clay Farm Centre is currently being constructed in the new housing developments in the south of the city. The governance arrangements for the centre primarily affect Trumpington Ward; however due to the scale of the centre and its multi-agency stakeholder features, it has a wider catchment. Both principal stakeholders (the City and County Councils) together with the Clay Farm Centre Company Limited (the joint venture company - referred to as ‘the JVC’- established by the Councils to manage the centre) now believe the governance structure is more complicated than it needs to be and adds costs through taxation issues. As a result, the stakeholders wish to revise the governance arrangements put in place in 2014.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

       i.          Agreed that the City and County Councils work together to dissolve the JVC and formulate a new Partnering Agreement for the governance of the community centre that replaces the 2014 Collaboration Agreement. 

     ii.          Agreed that this new Partnering Agreement will establish an advisory group to provide community and democratic oversight of the centre management. This will incorporate elected members.

   iii.          Agreed that the detail of recommendations (i) & (ii) is worked through between the City and County Councils and the Directors of the Joint Venture Company. Once agreement is reached, authority to enter into the new arrangement on behalf of the City Council is delegated to a Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Communities, the Chair of Community Services Scrutiny Committee and the Opposition Spokesperson.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Community Services.

The Head of Community Services said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          The City Council had set up various arms length management organisations. It had learnt from each experience and the joint venture company had developed from this.

     ii.          Clay Farm construction work had recommenced after a hiatus.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.