Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies received from Councillors N Huscroft, J Kirwin, C Johnson & C Grey.

To be notified of the appointment of any substitute members.

Councillor L Bones attended as substitute for Councillor D Lilly.

Councillor J Johnson attended as substitute for Councillor J Bartoli.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 28 January 2025 were agreed and signed by the chair.

For the sub-committee to note the progress made and provide their views on developing the bid for National Lottery Heritage fund grant towards the transformation of Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum.

The Committee was presented with an update on the Segedunum National Lottery Heritage Funding bid. The report provided an update on the progress made in developing the bid for National Lottery Heritage Fund grant towards the transformation of Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum.

The Committee raised a question in regards to the presence of the site, noting that it can be hard to find. Additionally, if the borders of the site could be made more attractive. It was confirmed that the feedback would be taken to the architects to review the concepts for stage 1 and stage 2 of the transformation.

The Committee raised a question in relation to the bath house on the site and whether the presence of this and other underused parts of the site could be incorporated into the main site. It was confirmed that this would need extra consideration due to the budget challenges to do this and that the focus needed to be on the priorities.

The Committee raised a question in relation to the volume of artefacts on display within the museum and if there was an appetite to share items between local museums. It was confirmed that North East Museums manage other museums and there was the option to share items.

The Committee raised a question in relation to the educational support offering from Segedunum, especially around Emperor Hadrian. Linked to this would education packs be available for schools. It was confirmed that education is key to the transformation, especially with the works on the bath house leading to more available space. Additionally, resource packs focusing on the Roman heritage of the area would be desirable.

The Committee raised a question in relation to the museum also exploring the ship building history of the area. It was confirmed that the plan was for this to be integral to Segedunum after the transformation was completed.

The Committee raised a question in relation to the funding plan and whether the relocation of the car park was already funded, or did this rely on the grant being approved. It was confirmed that the works already completed (new ventilation plant, new roof, new emergency lighting system and new lift) had been completed via funding already secured. Also, the demolition of the old business centre was completed via existing funding. In regards to the new car park, this would need to be completed via securing funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A further question was asked if there was a risk in demolishing the buildings when funds to complete the planned works hadn’t been secured. It was confirmed that the demolished buildings were already a risk from Anti Social Behaviour, so the decision was taken to remove the buildings. If the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund was unsuccessful, then other options would be looked at, with the option to complete in more smaller stages.

The Committee raised a question in relation to the presence and lack of mystery at the existing site. It was felt that improvements  ...  view the full minutes text for item TS63/24

To receive a verbal update regarding the proposed approach to scrutiny and work planning for the Thriving sub-committee for the 2025-26 municipal year.

The Committee received a verbal update regarding the proposed approach to scrutiny and work planning for the Thriving sub-committee for the 2025-26 municipal year.

The Committee discussed that the following areas could form the basis of the work plan:-

·       Apprenticeships

·       The Authority to purchase and contract goods/services locally

·       Post 16 education attainment

·       Adult education funding

·       Number of residents not in work

Additionally it was agreed that additional items can always be added to the work plan.

The Committee raised a question in relation to questions asked at previous meetings and needing to wait for responses as the relevant officer wasn’t in attendance. It was confirmed that the committee is able to ask officers to attend in order for questions to be answered. If questions arising from published reports are known in advance by the committee then relevant officers would be asked to attend.

To receive a verbal update regarding the a recent enquiry regarding Adult Skills Fund allocations.

The Committee was presented with a report by Mark Barrett on the Adult Skills Fund – Allocation update. The Committee was informed that 75% of the budget had been awarded to grant funded providers, 25% of this was via procurement and primarily to independent training providers.

The Committee raised a question in regards to the enrolment numbers and whether a different approach had been taken?

It was confirmed that numbers had increased year on year post COVID. Better marketing had been implemented alongside working closer with partners and making better use of Work Well hubs. It was confirmed that there was an expectation to achieve 100% of the annual allocated budget.

The Committee raised a question in regards to the breakdown of numbers by wards, and taking Camperdown as an example, how does the Authority ensure that more rural areas are not missing out? It was confirmed that delivery is carried out at locations across the Borough and a variety of spaces were utilised within each ward to ensure a spread of coverage. Taking Camperdown as the example, space at the White Swan centre was used alongside a Work Well hub being present.

The Committee raised a question in regards to enrolment success and whether courses are completed or if there was a large number of drop outs mid-course? It was confirmed that the Authority achieves an achievement rate of 91%, against an aim of 90%. This result was over the national average.

Officers who attended the recent meeting of the Task and Finish Group on Derelict Properties will update the Committee on its progress.

The Committee was presented with a verbal update on the Derelict Properties Task and Finish group by John Sparkes. The Committee was informed that two meetings had taken place so far. Initially some specific cases were reviewed in order to discuss the different individual challenges each presented.

The Committee was informed that there were 3 broad categories of powers the Authority can look at to address :

1.       Planning Powers (when the property affects the Amenity of the area)

2.     Building Control (when the property is deemed to be dangerous)

3.     Environmental Health (when the property deemed to be a risk to the occupiers or immediate neighbours)

The Committee was informed that these cases are often complex to oversea. There is the need to balance the rights of owners versus the rights of neighbours. Additionally there could be safeguarding concerns, involving multiple agencies, or there could be problems tracing owners of such properties.

The committee was informed that court action was seen as a last resort and there was a preference for early intervention. This could involve better area management on a more local level.

The Committee was informed that there was a desire for a single director within the Authority to take ownership for these types of properties.

The committee was also informed that a lack of information for members can be an issue and so there was a desire for a member briefing to cover the subject, alongside a flow chart/process map to explain how such properties are managed by the Authority. Additionally, it was explained that there was a desire to create a register of known properties for the different categories explained.

24 Jun 2025 at 18.00

The next meeting will be held at 6:00pm 24 June 2025 in Chamber 0.01 at Quadrant.