Minute 69 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 5 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 69 of Cabinet held on 16th June 2020, which had been called-in for Scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Adults and Communities) proposing improved governance arrangements and decision making for the Beecroft Trust (“the Trust”).

The Cabinet Member for Business, Culture & Tourism undertook to provide written responses to the questions on the following matters:

(a)  a breakdown of external funding which the Council has received to-date in respect of the scheme to convert the Station Road property into artist studios;

(b)  whether the funding in (a) would have to be repaid if the scheme did not proceed; and

(c)  details of any further external funding that had been sought for the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Tourism confirmed (subject to the proviso that it was procedurally possible to do so)  that the Place Scrutiny Committee should be able to scrutinise any recommendation to Council made by the General Purposes Committee before  a decision was taken by Council as trustee of the Beecroft Trust. This would enable the Council to have the benefit of the Scrutiny Committee’s views on relevant trust issues, as well as the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee, when reaching a decision as trustee.

Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

Note: This is a Council Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Robinson

Report of Executive Director (Adults and Communities)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Adults and Communities) proposing improved governance arrangements and decision making for the Beecroft Trust (“the Trust”).

Recommended:

Other Options

1.The Trustee can consider whether the Trust can be wound up. This is not recommended as it is extremely unlikely to be in the Trust’s best interests. 

2. The Trustee could continue the status quo. This is not recommended as the Former Gallery is subject to further deterioration and diminution and this is unlikely to be in the Trust’s best interest.

Reasons for Recommendations

To progress improved governance arrangements

Note: This is a Council Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Robinson

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Adults and Communities) proposing improved governance arrangements and decision making for the Beecroft Trust (“the Trust”).

Recommended:

Reasons for Recommendations

To progress improved governance arrangements

Note: This is a Council Function

*Called-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Robinson