Agenda and minutes

Councillor Longford  -  personal

Malcolm Townroe

Councillor Webster declared an other registerable interest in items 5 and 7 (minutes 13 and 15) as a Board member of Creative Quarter.

This did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion on those items.

Last meeting held on 18 May 2021 (for confirmation)

The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2021 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

For noting / discussion

The work plan was noted without discussion.

Presentation by Tamily Cookson, Interim CEO

This item does not contain any decisions that are eligible for call-in.

The Committee received a presentation by Tamily Cookson, Interim CEO, Creative Quarter (CQ).

During discussion, and in response to questions, Ms Cookson gave the following additional information:

i.  one of the main positive effects from the CQ is as a result of ‘clustering’ (operating from within a smaller, localised area in the City), such as at Sneinton Market, with investment from not just local sources but also international;

ii.  the EDRF agreement states that a unit cannot operate purely as retail, there must also be manufacturing, so occupiers have to have a workshop to make their products on-site;

iii.  the units are used as an ‘incubator’ for occupiers to expand their business, moving on to other retail outlets within the city once they have outgrown the unit;

iv.  CQ supports businesses wanting to move and, during the pandemic, have assisted with them moving to an online retail offer. Hopefully, once ‘normality’ returns, the businesses will be looking to source premises on the high street as well;

v.  the predicted £12m GVA boost by 2023 will need to be re-assessed as it did not take account of the pandemic;

vi.  CQ is not just ‘arts and crafts’, as shown by having Board representatives from companies such as Bio-City, ex Boots, Capital One, technology companies and award-winning public space artist Wolfgang Buttress.

Resolved to record the thanks of the Committee to Ms Cookson for her informative presentation and attendance.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information

The Committee agreed to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, as the sensitive nature of the business affairs under consideration could, if made public, prejudice the ability of the companies concerned to operate effectively in a competitive market.

Presentation by Tamily Cookson, Interim CEO

This item does not contain any decisions that are eligible for call-in.

The Committee received a presentation by Tamily Cookson, Interim CEO, Creative Quarter.

Resolved to record the thanks of the Committee to Ms Cookson for her informative presentation and attendance.

Report of Interim Corporate Director for Finance and Resources

This item does not contain any decisions that are eligible for call-in.

Ian Edward, Strategic Advisor for Companies, presented the report, updating the Committee on the latest position in respect of Council owned companies.

Resolved to note the update.

Reason for recommendation

To ensure the sub-committee understands the current financial position of the group of companies of Nottingham City Council and any risks highlighted in the report for action.

Other options considered

None.

Last meeting held on 18 May 2021 (for confirmation)

The Committee agreed the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2021 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.