Agenda item

Members considered the reports within the District Executive agenda for 7 June 2018 and made comments as detailed below. Responses to all comments and questions were provided at the Scrutiny Committee meeting by the Leader, relevant officer, or Portfolio Holder.

Review of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) (Agenda item 6)

·           Page 5 – Scrutiny noted that use of the RIPA powers to date by the Council had been limited, and queried if there was a reason for this.

·           Scrutiny were content that the recommendations go forward.

Establishing Special Purpose Vehicles for SSDC Investments (Agenda item 7)

·           When a Special Purpose Vehicle is established, members asked how they would be able to find out information about the activity of that vehicle. For example agendas and minutes of Board meetings or AGMs etc.

·           Page 42 Risk Matrix - regarding the left matrix showing the profile before officer recommendations – Scrutiny felt the positioning of Financial and Reputational risk was too high and may be conveying the wrong message.

·           Members acknowledged the responses and information provided by the Director (Commercial Services & Income Generation). Scrutiny suggested that the report did not clearly indicate that the process only applied if an investment or project was time limited, but read as if it was a general procedure. It was suggested that additional wording be added to clarify this and also a slight change to wording of recommendation 7a.

·           Scrutiny acknowledged setting up of SPVs was a big step for the authority, but also a necessary one. However it was felt there needed to be some improvement to the process described in the report, and to make clear that a formal proposal will be required to set up an SPV.

·           It was also suggested that the advantages and risks of proceeding with an individual SPV also be clearly identified, together with possible mitigation measures for any identified risks.

Commercial Strategy and Investments Progress Report (Agenda item 8)

·           Members thanked officers for the detailed report and appendix.

·           Para 30 – Scrutiny felt the use of appointed agents was a constructive way forward.

CONFIDENTIAL – Exclusion of the Press and Public (for discussion of confidential appendix – Agenda item 8)

In accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the Committee resolved that the press and public be excluded from the following items in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, i.e. “Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

·           Members made several comments in confidential session regarding information within the confidential appendix.

District Executive Forward Plan (Agenda item 9)

·           Members noted an item on the Local Plan review was scheduled for October, and asked if members would have an opportunity to input into the process before that date.

·           It was asked if there would be a report in due course regarding the Somerset County Council proposal to explore the option of a unitary authority for Somerset.