To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2019 (SC.23 - SC.25), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 January 2019 (SC.23 - SC.25), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Finance (s151 Officer)

The Director of Finance (s151 Officer) presented a report setting out the Quarter 3 Performance for 2018/19.  The Committee asked a number of questions which were responded to at the meeting and where further information was requested it was agreed that the Committee would be provided with this information separately.

THE DECISION:

That progress made against the Council Plan for Quarter 3 of 2018/19, as detailed within Annex A of the report, be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance (s151 Officer)

The Director of Finance (s151 Officer) presented the quarterly monitoring report on the strategic risks affecting the Council.

To ensure that strategic risks were appropriately measured and that suitable actions were undertaken to mitigate the effect of each risk it had been agreed that the Scrutiny Committee would receive a quarterly monitoring report.

THE DECISION:

That the quarterly report on the strategic and general risks affecting the Council and the actions that are in place to mitigate the impact upon the Council of each risk be noted.

Report of the Chairman

The Chairman of the Committee presented a copy of the draft final report on the Policy Review on Promoting Economic Vitality, including Markets, for consideration by the Committee prior to submission to Cabinet in March 2019.

THE DECISION:

That it be recommended to Cabinet that:-

(1)     the Committee endorses the initiatives in delivering the Council’s key priority ‘Driving Economic Vitality’ as detailed within the Council Plan;

(2)     the Committee supports the continued collaborative working with stakeholders, businesses and traders working towards building more vibrant towns;

(3)     the success of projects identified within the individual Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plans be assessed after six months of their implementation or such other period as appropriate;

(4)     the issues regarding empty shops be monitored and an assessment of the new initiatives to encourage occupation by new traders be provided after six months of their implementation or such other period as appropriate;

(5)     continued communication with market traders and the organisers of farmers markets be undertaken in order to encourage new traders and the reinstatement of the farmers markets within the market towns;

(6)     the opportunities presented by hosting major sporting events and other bespoke events such as festivals and seasonal markets continue to be explored and implemented; and

(7)     continued improvements to communications on the support offered to businesses be explored.