PRESENTATION BY THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - COMMERCIAL
To receive a presentation from the Service Director- Commercial regarding his directorate.
Decision:
The Service Director – Commercial delivered a Power point presentation on his service area.
Minutes:
Audio Recording 1.58.56
The Service Director – Commercial delivered a Power point presentation on his service area.
OVERVIEW:
Task in Finishing Group in 2015: Recommendations from that:-
1 Senior Commercial Manager now in place.
2 Opportunity to have a high level Commercial Board involvement with Councillors, Officers etc., and their Shareholders Sub-Committee which is set-up. Create a Commercial Group of Officers to be involved in commercial opportunities going forward.
3 Pursuing and looking at income generation – this would be the emphasis and to ensure that the rest of the Council also pursue this focus. I do not have a full team as yet.
4 Exploring the possibility of property investments. We have already completed some research previously by Sub-Committee regarding Buy To Let and that demonstrated within this area margins are fairly low. Currently looking at assets we have and to improve on those assets to then generate income through them.
5 Using experts and strategic partners.
6 Commenced considering assets specifically within Harkness Court and Town Lodge and in consultation with our Estates Manager prepared a list of assets and want to work through. Resources lacking at present. Currently looking at Harkness Court aim is to enhance that facility and then to use to let out or to sell.
7 Training programs for Officers and Senior Managers. Senior Commercial Manager working with the Learning Development Team putting together, from Councillors to shop floor, appropriate training. Key that training is specific to the Local Government, as cannot operate the same as the Public Sector we do need to comply with Acts.
8 Scheme to recognise Officers. Best way to progress this action with some sort of incentive, without it being a monetary value incentive.
The following Members asked questions and these were responded by Steve Crowley, Service Director Commercial:-
o Councillor Steve Jarvis
o Councillor Michael Muir
o Councillor Ian Moody
o Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb
o Councillor Jean Green
New Structure:
Two in post. The Commercial Manager was a new role and would be looked at internally. Graded and put out to recruit in January 2019 and to interview in February 2019.
Culture:
Council should adopt this as a whole and works to engage and be involved with informal meetings, intranet page for ideas put forward, good involvement from staff briefing. Commercial Support Officers would attend and engage at the right level and to provide good communication.
The Team would be attending all Service Level Meetings.
Results of Staff Briefing held, improving how we do business and utilise our green space – outdoor cinema, mini Pop concert, Beer Festival, Fitness classes, other departments as well i.e. coffee mornings, ideas box, a couple of months ago.
Solar Energy bigger project of a Solar Farm significant investment and have to near a grid, if too small not a good return. Smaller version of a Solar Energy Farm, as other Councils have completed, but smaller schemes are for social value only.
Contractor discussions on purpose built swimming pool or gym offer, fitness ... view the full minutes text for item 58