Agenda item

The action sheet arising from the Joint Scrutiny (Budget Monitoring) Committee held on 23^rd February, 2021; whereupon:-

Review of the Industrial Units

A Member raised concerns around the continued deficit reported for this area and that the same issues were continually raised. The Member noted that there was always a ‘proposed’ review to look at leases and encourage occupancy. The Member was of the opinion that the Authority should maintain relationships with occupiers to ensure units are up to standard and ready to be leased. It would also be beneficial if the industrial estates are attractive to potential customers.

The Member stated that if employment was to be created and sustained within Blaenau Gwent, the Authority’s industrial units needed investment to ensure they are fit for purpose.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services advised that the Authority had a high occupancy rates of industrial units. The Regeneration Scrutiny Committee had also considered a programme of works which had initially focused on the Roseheyworth Industrial Estate which due to the poor condition of the units had been left unoccupied, however, these units were now fully occupied. Therefore, the Corporate Director felt that where investment work was being undertaken it had shown benefits.

The Corporate Director added that over the last year the Authority had looked after existing businesses in Blaenau Gwent which was right and proper during the uncertain times of the pandemic.

The Corporate Director further reported that a vacant post had been filled within the Team for an officer to deal with units. There was 180 units across Blaenau Gwent and the Team was working their way through these units as they became vacant or with current leaseholders.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services confirmed that there had only been one review and an action plan had been developed. The Corporate Director concurred with frustrations that progress had been slow in the past year, however vacancies were low and occupancies were high in units. It was important that Blaenau Gwent’s industrial units continue to receive investment in order to attract tenants and all these objectives were included in the action plan.

The Book Fund

A Member reiterated the question raised at the last Joint Scrutiny Committee meeting in relation to the £50,000 spend on books in 2019/20 which had increased this year. There was approximately £82,000 ring-fenced for the book fund and the Member asked where the remaining money had been spent.

The Member noted that a report was to be considered by the Education and Learning Scrutiny Committee prior to a briefing note being provided, however, the Member felt that the report should also be presented to the Joint Scrutiny Committee for information following the request made.

The Corporate Director Education advised that a report had been presented to the Education and Learning Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Welsh Public Library Standard. A briefing note would now be drafted for Joint Scrutiny Members which detailed the historical spend and proposals going forward.

Councillor W. Hodgins joined the meeting at this juncture.

A further discussion ensued around the book fund spend and it was agreed that a briefing note would be presented which detailed the level of spend against the book fund and expectations from the Council’s perspective.

The Member raised concerns around a briefing note being presented to the Joint Scrutiny and felt that this could not be scrutinised in the same way as a report. The Scrutiny Officer confirmed that a briefing note could be considered by the Joint Scrutiny, however a report would need to be presented to the Education and Learning Scrutiny Committee.

It was thereupon AGREED that a briefing note be presented to the next Joint Scrutiny Committee.

Further concerns were raised around requests for reports to be presented to a Joint Scrutiny Committee if issues were raised by Members as it was advised that not all Members had sight of reports being presented to other Scrutiny Committees and therefore could not challenge or scrutinise the information.

The Scrutiny Officer advised that all Members had access to all Scrutiny Committee agendas and their concerns could be taken forward by their colleagues who sit on the respective Committee.

The Committee, subject to the foregoing, AGREED that the Action Sheet be noted.