Issue - meetings

Stability and Growth Programme

Meeting: 19/07/2023 - Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet (Item 13)

13 Stability and Growth Programme pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To note the report.

 

(2) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Director of Tourism, Culture and Organisational Development, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder, to progress alternative governance arrangements at the Devonshire Park Quarter complex and to conclude the most appropriate option once a full business case is understood, including the approval and implementation of all processes and procedures, negotiation of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation, and

 

(3) To approve a waiver of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to allow the direct selection of an operator at the Devonshire Park Quarter, if that is concluded to be the most appropriate option, for the reasons as set out in the report.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, informing them of the Stability and Growth programme, which replaced the previous Recovery and Stabilisation programme in driving improvement and efficiency within the Council.

 

Visiting member, Councillor Smart, addressed the Cabinet on the item and sought an analysis of the £5.9 million of cumulative revenue savings because of the Recovery and Stabilisation programme. It was clarified that this also included income as part of the figure. He also stated that net service expenditure had increased by 37% from the year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

A major aspect of the report was in relation to the future governance arrangements at the Devonshire Park Quarter (DPQ) complex. This followed the government assurance review, which recommended that the Council become more financially resilient by de-risking itself from future income shocks. Following discussions, it was clarified that the cross-party Devonshire Park Governance Member Board would be kept fully consulted and informed as part of the process. Thanks were conveyed to staff at DPQ for all their work and efforts since the complex was launched.

 

Resolved (Key decision):

 

(1) To note the report.

 

(2) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Director of Tourism, Culture and Organisational Development, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder, to progress alternative governance arrangements at the Devonshire Park Quarter complex and to conclude the most appropriate option once a full business case is understood, including the approval and implementation of all processes and procedures, negotiation of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation, and

 

(3) To approve a waiver of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to allow the direct selection of an operator at the Devonshire Park Quarter, if that is concluded to be the most appropriate option, for the reasons as set out in the report.

 

Reason for decisions:

 

The Stability and Growth programme will continue the work started by Recovery and Stabilisation to drive improvement and efficiency, in line with recommendations made by government in the Assurance Review and the Peer Challenge.