Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Chair, Councillor John Walker, welcomed Mark Lester, Director of Commercial Services and Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader and Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), to the meeting.

Victoria Willett, Service Lead - Transformation and Partnerships, presented the report which provided contextual information with regards to the overall Directorate summary, the budget position and the key performance summary and key project update for 2019/20.

The recent senior management restructure has changed some of the services within the Directorate.  The functions that make up the Commercial Services directorate are:

• Accommodation – operational management of the Council’s housing units, including Cotswold Supported Housing and Primrose Gardens Extra Care Scheme.

• Market Walk and Town Centre – management of Market Walk shopping centre, Chorley Markets, town centre car parks and borough wide CCTV monitoring services.

• Property and Facilities – the asset management and maintenance of all council owned buildings and assets.

Members noted that there have been difficulties in recruiting to some specialised posts, but these have now been appointed to. 

There is an overspend across the Directorate, but Councillor Bradley noted that this reflected the nature of the Directorate in delivering projects and taking investment opportunities as they arise. 

Some performance indicators are not within the Council’s control, such as those relating to the European Regional Development Fund.  It is also not possible to measure Cotswold Supported Housing in the usual way due to the nature of the service. 

In the key projects update the “Deliver the Housing Company” will be become “develop the business plan for the wholly owned

Company”. 

The Directorate is not in scope for phase one of Shared Services, but officers are proactively working closely with colleagues at South Ribble.  This includes the potential to share an agency surveyor and sharing knowledge on IDOX software which is used by both authorities. 

There is a shortage of developed land for businesses to occupy.  Developers make more money from housing land and the council face difficulties when developers are successful in changing the use of land from business to housing.  There are not many brownfield sites in Chorley.  The Leader, Councillor Bradley, expressed his wish to incentivise businesses to move to Chorley from Manchester and Liverpool.  This would have the added benefit of reducing commuting distances in line with the council’s green aspirations.  This is a complex issue. 

Members queried the current position regarding the Shady Lane and Alker Lane sites.  It is hoped that full planning permission will be submitted in the summer.  The Shady Lane site is more difficult. 

Councillor Bradley explained there are projects in the pipeline, including at Tatton and within the town centre.  There are things that the council can do to have a positive influence in the town centre. 

Decision – That the report be noted.