Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of the public were present.

To consider the creation of a Skills and Growth Company.

1.    Approval be given to the detailed business case for the implementation of a council owned Skills & Growth company.

2.    That a Skills and Growth company be created with the necessary governance arrangements, and arrangements made with other Council owned and controlled companies.

3.    That delegated authority be given to relevant Service Managers and Officers to undertake all necessary and consequential action arising from the above recommendations including, but not limited to, entering into any necessary contracts, consultation, loans, leases, licences, pension admission agreements  and guarantees.

At its meeting on 21 July 2015 Cabinet approved a service review and options appraisal to deliver an integrated skills & growth vehicle. It gave delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Assets, in consultation with other relevant Portfolio Holders, the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Operating Officer, to implement the outcome of the review. 

The service review has been completed and resulted in the preparation of a detailed business case for change which was approved by the Portfolio Holder on 1 Sept 2015. However the council wishes to further review its requirements for Workforce Development and thus the Workforce Development has been de-scoped while a more detailed review of need and provision is completed. There remains an aspiration to deliver apprenticeship, leaderships and talent services commercially from the skills and growth ASDV. Therefore, should an opportunity arise from the review of Workforce Development, aspects of the service may be brought into scope at a later date, but are excluded for the purpose of this business case.

In accordance with the delegation from Cabinet the revised business case reflecting these changes was now considered.  The proposal would bring forward investment, create employment opportunities for all and attract and grow business creating high quality employment.  The services to be delivered by the company were expected to be those currently delivered by the Major Projects Team, Business Engagement and Inward Investment plus Rural Enterprise, and 14+Skills and Lifelong Learning.  The financial arrangements were further explained and it was anticipated they would be finalised by the end of January 2017.

RESOLVED

1.    That approval be given to the detailed business case for the implementation of a Council owned Skills & Growth company.

2.    That a Skills and Growth company be created with the necessary governance arrangements, and arrangements made with other Council owned and controlled companies.

3.    That delegated authority be given to relevant Service Managers and Officers to undertake all necessary and consequential action arising from the above recommendations including, but not limited to, entering into any necessary contracts, consultation, loans, leases, licences, pension admission agreements and guarantees.

To consider the installation of electric vehicle charging units.

That approval be given to grant Engenie fifteen year contracted out full repairing and insuring leases (FRI) and sub-lease in relation to the three electric Vehicle charging point sites on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity. 

It was reported that Cheshire East Council had Secured Government grant funding for the provision of six Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP’s) within the Borough.  The grant funding covered 75% of the costs of procurement, installation and maintenance of the units.

ABB Ltd was appointed via the Council’s procurement process to provide and install the units.  As part of this contract the Council required ABB to provide 25% of the funding and the Electric Vehicle Charging Units had, therefore, been provided at zero cost to Cheshire East.

In order to secure this funding, ABB partnered with an operator of EVCP (Engenie Ltd) and they required an assurance from the Council that they would be able to operate the units for a reasonable tenure to secure a return on their investment.  As such, Cheshire East Regulatory Services are seeking consent to allow Cheshire East Council to grant fifteen year leases and a sub-lease to Engenie, to allow them to operate six EVCP’s on three of Cheshire East’s Car Parks.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to grant Engenie fifteen year contracted out full repairing and insuring leases (FRI) and sub-lease in relation to the three electric Vehicle charging point sites on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity.