Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To consider whether the Council should stop providing specific elements of the compliance service at Community Buildings, and therefore the community groups (either their staff or volunteers) would take them on.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

(1)  Agreed that the Council will stop providing the monthly property compliance tasks (as detailed in paragraph 8.1) to community groups/ buildings (as detailed in paragraph 8.3).

(2)  Agreed that the Council should continue to fund low value repairs in such a way so that community groups/ buildings do not lose out from changes to the way that the compliance contract is expected to operate from February 2023.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: The decision helps the Council keep under control the cost of providing property compliance contract. It also leads to reduced vehicle travel and associated environmental benefits. It also reflects that the Council will focus its support (and resources) on providing those property compliance services that require specialist knowledge and training.

Audio recording – 52 minutes 50 seconds

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the report entitled ‘Compliance Contract – Community Buildings’ and advised of the following:

·         Across the district there were a number of Council buildings leased out to be used by the community.

·         The Council currently provided maintenance at these sites, and in some cases these were charged back to the user, but the Council was not required to do this.

·         Some tasks required a professional to complete these, but a series of monthly checks had been identified that could be carried out without professional knowledge or equipment.

·         It was proposed that these tasks be removed from the responsibility of the Council, except those areas which required professional support.

·         Training would be provided where required.

Councillor Ruth Brown noted that the community centres were consulted and there were some concerns raised, but following discussions these have been mostly resolved.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

(1)  Agreed that the Council will stop providing the monthly property compliance tasks (as detailed in paragraph 8.1) to community groups/ buildings (as detailed in paragraph 8.3).

(2)  Agreed that the Council should continue to fund low value repairs in such a way so that community groups/ buildings do not lose out from changes to the way that the compliance contract is expected to operate from February 2023.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: The decision helps the Council keep under control the cost of providing property compliance contract. It also leads to reduced vehicle travel and associated environmental benefits. It also reflects that the Council will focus its support (and resources) on providing those property compliance services that require specialist knowledge and training.