Issue - meetings

The Action Sheet arising from the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 2^nd December, 2020 was submitted, whereupon:

Destination Management Plan

A Member expressed concern that the Blaenau Gwent Guide had been printed and circulated prior to it being considered by Members.

Another Member asked when the Destination Management Plan would be resubmitted to Scrutiny for consideration, and the Chair undertook to investigate.

Forward Work Programme (Use of Consultants in relation to the Regeneration portfolio – cost of consultants

and the benefits / outcomes of using external

consultants over the last 2 years)

A Member referred to the report scheduled for submission on the 10^th February, 2021 regarding the cost of consultancy fees over the last 2 years, and said this should be extended further to include consultancy fees over the last 5 years.

Another Member agreed and said this would provide a more comprehensive overview.

A Member said the reason for requesting this information was in response to figures reported to Council covering the last 2 years.  He said Officers had done a lot of work to compile the information and extending this further would only put added pressure on Officers.

A discussion ensued when the Head of Regeneration & Development said Officers had already done the work based on a 2 year period.  The information had been put together and the report was currently going through relevant process prior to submission to Committee on the 10^th February, 2021.  The Officer said extending this to cover the last 5 years would involve a significant amount of additional work.

A Member said he did not understand why an extension had been requested when 2 years had been agreed by the Scrutiny Committee, and the work had already been done by Officers.

Another Member agreed and said the Committee should continue with the 2 year period, particularly in light of the Officer’s comment.  However, following consideration of the report, if any additional information was required then a further report could be requested at that time.

The Chair said taking into account the Officer’s comments the Committee would continue with the report covering the last 2 years. 

Forward Work Programme (Tech Valley progress and spend)

The Head of Regeneration & Development reported that the special meeting may be a joint meeting with Welsh Government as they were responsible for managing many of the projects.

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