Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor David Tutt

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress made with the Recovery and Reset Programme.

(2) To agree the service and organisational change proposals set out at paragraph 4.1 of the report.

(3) To formally approve acceptance of the Culture Recovery Fund grant of £1.871m from the Arts Council.

(4) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Services, to oversee delivery of the agreed plan for spend in accordance with the Culture Recovery Fund aims and objectives, and for the Chief Finance Officer to update the budget accordingly.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, updating them on progress of the Recovery and Reset Programme.

Visiting members, Councillors Shore and Smart addressed the Cabinet on this item. The Cabinet welcomed Councillor Shore to her first meeting and thanked her for her contribution.

The Council faced a significant budget shortfall over the next four years because of the Covid-19 pandemic. To meet the budget shortfall in both 21/22 and 22/23, Cabinet were being asked to endorse some initial service and organisational changes which required early implementation, detailed at section 4 of the report. A full set of proposals would be presented to the next meeting of Cabinet in July. The Head of Business Planning and Performance confirmed that an equality and fairness analysis, taking into account the views of the Equality and Fairness Stakeholder Group had been received and considered by Cabinet when making their decision.

Officers were commended for their work in securing a grant of £1.87 million from the Culture Recovery Fund. The grant would be used to support the reopening and provision of key cultural services, which were critical in supporting the borough’s tourism economy. Work was progressing on spending the grant by the end of June deadline.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To note the progress made with the Recovery and Reset Programme.

(2) To agree the service and organisational change proposals set out at paragraph 4.1 of the report.

(3) To formally approve acceptance of the Culture Recovery Fund grant of £1.871m from the Arts Council.

(4) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Services, to oversee delivery of the agreed plan for spend in accordance with the Culture Recovery Fund aims and objectives, and for the Chief Finance Officer to update the budget accordingly.

Reason for decisions:

The Recovery and Reset Programme provides a structured and accountable approach for delivering the level of significant organisational change needed to respond to current and future challenges.