The Assistant Director (Corporate Services) presented the Members of Commercial Services Committee with an update against the Performance Management Framework, as introduced within the council’s Corporate Plan, for Quarter Three 2019-20 (October to December 2019).

The Assistant Director (Corporate Services) highlighted the following:

At Full Council in December 2019, the formation of a Local Authority trading Company (LATCo) was approved. Since then, the company – Rosherville Limited – has been formally incorporated with Companies House.

On 3 February 2020 Cabinet approved the following:

·         The Board membership for Rosherville Limited and the Articles of Association for the Company.

·         The Shareholder Group to act as an advisory group to the Leader in aiding the decision making process. This included the membership of the Shareholder Group along with the Shareholder Agreement and terms of reference for the Shareholder Group.

·         The formation of two subsidiary companies, subject to a complete business case being presented. These relate to the vehicle workshop service and a property development company to aid the Heritage Quarter development project.

On 25 February 2020 Full Council approved £550,000 of funding sources to set up the companies.

In addition, through procurement of new contracts in 2019/20, the Council secured funding in the region of £42,000 to help support the council deliver specific community events. For example, Swale Heating has committed to funding the council fireworks event for the next 10 years. It is anticipated increased activity in this area will enable greater 'social value' returns to support council initiatives.

The Assistant Director (Corporate Services) fielded questions from the Committee and highlighted the following:

·         The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires the Council “to have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with public services contracts; and for connected purposes”.

This means that the Council must consider where added value and benefit, in relation to economic, social and environmental aspects, can be delivered to the Borough above those already delivered as part of the requirements of the specification. Examples include; a company providing funding for an event (e.g. fireworks) and training opportunities / apprenticeships being offered to local residents.

·         A Local Authority Trading Company allows the Council to do anything a commercial entity can do.

The Chair highlighted that the vehicle workshop service and the property development company were the first steps for the Council and further ideas would be considered by the Board in the future.

Resolved that the Corporate Performance Update: Quarter Three 2019-20 be noted.