Agenda and minutes

Councillor Sajid Mohammed – unwell

Councillor Rosemary Healy- personal reason

Malcolm Townroe

None.

Last meeting held on 03 October 2022 (for confirmation)

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2022 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair

Report of Corporate Director of Finance and Resources

Tom Straw, Senior Accountant (Capital Programmes), presented the report detailing the 2021/22 Outturn for Harvey Hadden and Highfield Trust detailing any variances from2020/21, and confirming that the Bridge Estate audit has been completed. The following information was highlighted:

(a)  rental activity on the Highfields site has increased by £67,000 following the reductions in 2020-21 due to Covid, for comparison pre-Covid rental income for 2019/20 was £100k;

(b)  support service costs on the Highfields site have increased by £59,000 due to heritage lottery grant conditions stating that the trust has had to incur additional annual maintenance costs;

(c)  premises costs at the Harvey Hadden site have largely increased due to annual water charges increasing by  around £4k. There has also been an increase in Third Party Payments, including car park lining, track repairs and cleaning;

(d)  the Bridge Estate external audit has been completed. There has been no change in the accounts from the version presented at the October’s committee;

(e)  income for 2022-23 at the Harvey Hadden site has improved on 2021-22 and is looking to return to pre-Covid levels.

Resolved to

(1)  note the outturn (pending independent review) for Harvey Hadden and Highfield Trusts 2021/22;

(2)  delegate authority to the Chair of the Trust and Charities Committee to sign the accounts following completion of the Independent Examiners Review;

(3)  note the Bridge Estate signed accounts and the letter of representation, following completion of the external audit

Director of Economic Development and Property

Bevis Mackie, Acting Head of Commercial Property Investment Portfolio, presented the report, which detailed key property events that had taken place, or were proposed, for the Bridge Estate Charity since the last meeting. A more detailed update was given during exempt item 8, minute 28.

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 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 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 outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

03 October 2022 (for confirmation)

The Committee agreed the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2022 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Further to item 17, minute 25 above, Mr Mackie gave a more detailed update in respect of the property portfolio, including the condition of the properties, potential new/re-geared leases, financial details and the latest rent arrears position.