Decision details

Update on progress following report to July Committee

Matter for Decision

The report provided an update on the progress to date and proposals in regard to the recovery programme and followed on the update provided to committee in July 2021

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

 

          Noted the:

 

i)              content of the report and the update on financial support progress

 

ii)             emerging draft strategy and the intention to develop it further with partners and stakeholders before bringing it back to committee

 

iii)           requirement to review the plans for council assets and related activity outlined in section 5.10 to ensure that they align broadly with the vision and principles developed and discussed at committee in January 2021 and also with reviewed partner proposals around wider transport and other related issues

 

Approved the

iv)           in-principle proposals for residual grant funding support and delegated approval of final details, contracting and oversight of implementation and monitoring to the Strategic Director, in consultation with Chair and Spokes.

 

 

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 Strategic Director.  It was noted that the grant funding had only recently been confirmed hence the recommendation to delegate to the Strategic Director in consultation with Executive Councillor, Chair and spokes.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.         Important to focus on the impact the pandemic has had on opportunity for young people.

    ii.         Would like to see what the Council is doing outside of the city centre ie in the local neighbourhood centres?

   iii.         Appendix A (Making Space for People Jan 2021) needs to address the changes to retail ie internet shopping.  How will Appendix 2 (Emerging Draft Strategy) gel with both planned Local Plan and Transport Access to City consultations?

  iv.         Is there a clear listing of the urgent risks (and if not the Council’s whose) and prioritising the actions.

The Strategic Director replied on local neighbourhood centres that the Draft Strategy would address this, the current focus on the city centre was primarily because of the Council’s key assets in that area.

The Executive Councillor stated that the work undertaken by officers during this challenging time had to be recognised.  In answering the points, he explained that the Vision was a draft but believed it was better to present where we currently are, to share with the scrutiny committee and interested stakeholders and residents.  The Executive Councillor agreed that disadvantaged young people must be a priority.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved (i, iii, iv) and by 4-0 (ii) 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.