Agenda and minutes

The Executive Director for Finance and Customer Services confirmed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet via the Council’s website and was capable of repeated viewing. The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council. All were asked to keep to the speaking guidelines which were outlined.  Any views expressed by any speaker in the meeting are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of High Peak Borough Council.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ashton be appointed as Chair as Councillor Siddall be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2022 be approved as a correct record.

This item had been withdrawn.

The Leader provided an update around the expression of interest submitted to the government by Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council for the creation of a combined mayoral authority for the whole area.  Discussions had been on-going around district involvement in the process including the passporting of powers to districts, boroughs and parish council level if appropriate.  The bid was now being reviewed and it was anticipated that there may be opportunities around trialling the arrangements as a pilot authority.  Concern was expressed around the size of the proposed combined authority area and what benefits it would bring to the area and details around any consultation arrangements were sought.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

The Committee considered an update on the conduct of online and in-person committee meetings,  It was noted that following the expiration of the regulations allowing authorities to hold remote meeting, that the Council had responded to the Government’s call for evidence and supported the view that Council’s should have the ability to determine if any of their meetings should be held remotely.  This view was supported by the savings accrued as a result of holding meetings remotely, increased attendance by non committee members, and an average of 35 views per meeting via the Council’s YouTube channel. The Council was updating it’s microphone system and this would need to be able to be fully integrated in a webcast system should the council wish to implement this technology.

Members supported the desire to continue to use virtual meetings where possible, although Full Council should remain an ‘in person’ meeting.  The principle of hybrid meetings was supported, subject to appropriate technology and meeting room space being made available.  An update around the Council’s Agile Working arrangements was requested, which would come forward as part of the action plan around access to services.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

It was requested that a meeting of the Select Committee Chair’s be convened to develop the Select Committee’s Work Programmes as set out in the Scrutiny Review.  Arrangements for agenda despatch and reporting deadlines also needed to be reviewed.

Information around strategic asset management issues would be presented in due course, once other critical pieces of work were completed.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the above, the Select Committee Work Programmes be noted,

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee received an update on the Future High Street Fund, which was noted.

The Committee received an update on the Norse Joint Venture and made recommendations to the Executive.