Issue - meetings

To consider an update on the Commercial Governance Review.

To consider any Advance Questions submitted.

Councillor Ellacott, Chair of the Commercial Governance Review Member Task Group, provided a verbal update to the Committee on the work of the group and its forthcoming report to the Committee. It was noted that a full report on the Commercial Governance Review would be considered at the February meeting of the Committee.

It was noted that the task group had been considering the Council’s commercial governance arrangements, and reviewing options for the Council’s approach to future commercial activities. The group was noted to have had a cross-party membership, supported by the Monitoring Officer and other officers, and in consultation with the wider Membership and an independent consultant.

It was noted that the group had considered matters including identifying where the establishment of a commercial body is appropriate, the committee reporting of commercial matters, the nomination of directors to any commercial bodies, and the approach to performance monitoring of such bodies.

It was confirmed that one of the topics considered by the group had been the handling of commercial confidentiality considerations, and ensuring that all Members had appropriate access to information. The importance of ensuring that any commercial partners had awareness of the requirements associated with working with a public sector organisation.

RESOLVED that the update on the progress of the Commercial Governance Review be noted.