New Forest Borough Council
Councillors:
48
Wards:
27
Committees:
15
Meetings (2025):
72
Meetings (2024):
78
Meeting
Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel - New Forest
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 19th November 2020
9:30 AM
Thursday, 19th November 2020
9:30 AM
End:
Thursday, 19th November 2020
1:30 PM
Thursday, 19th November 2020
1:30 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Thursday, 19th November 2020
12:00 AM
Thursday, 19th November 2020
12:00 AM
Finished:
Thursday, 19th November 2020
12:00 AM
Thursday, 19th November 2020
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
19 Nov 2020
19 Nov 2020
Location:
Skype Meeting - Online
Skype Meeting - Online
Meeting Attendees
Chairman
Cllr Alexis McEvoy, BSc (Hons)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Fran Carpenter
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Sandra Delemare
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Mahmoud Kangarani
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Martyn Levitt
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cllr Beverley Thorne
Present, as expected
Officer
Service Manager - ICT
Rob Beere
In attendance
Officer
Strategic Director of Corporate Resources & Transformation, Section 151 Officer
Alan Bethune
In attendance
In Attendance
Cllr Michael Harris
In attendance
Officer
Democratic Services Officer
Andy Rogers
In attendance
Officer
Executive Head of Partnership and Operations
Manjit Sandhu
In attendance
Officer
Executive Head of Planning Regeneration and Economy
Claire Upton-Brown
In attendance
Agenda
0
Apologies
Minutes
1
Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2020 as a correct record.
Minutes
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2020 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2020 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
2
Declarations of Interest
To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Minutes
No declarations of interest were made by any member in connection with any agenda item.
3
Public Participation
To note any issues raised during the public participation period.
Minutes
No issues were raised during the public participation period.
4
Review of Progress at the Centre For Social Innovation CIC Business Centre, Everton
To receive an update on progress, following the Cabinet - funded grant in 2018 to the Centre for Social Innovation Community Interest Company (CIC) Business Centre, located on the Otter Nurseries site at Everton. Mr Sherry, Founder and CEO of the Centre, will attend to give a verbal update.
Attachments:
- Document Funding of C4SI Business Centre Everton 11 Nov 2020
- Document Addendum - Centre for Social Innovation Community Interest Company (CIC) Business Centre 11 Nov 2020
Minutes
The Panel received an update on progress following the Cabinet approved grant in 2018 to the Centre for Social Innovation Community Interest Company business centre located on the Otter nurseries site at Everton.
Mr Sherry, founder and CEO of the Centre attended to give a verbal update. As well as the officer’s report, Mr Sherry had submitted a written progress update for the Panel.
Mr Sherry complimented the Council for their quick response in helping businesses during Covid, which he knew was appreciated through his business contacts.
He explained that ‘49’, was the Centre for Social Innovation, which was a business - led open innovation centre, focussed on innovation and business needs and how innovation, research and development can be commercialised into the market.
This was a private / public partnership launched December 2019. He explained that a number of factors came into play at that time, including Brexit, a change of LEP.
The grant funding was confirmed as £75k from HCC and match funding of £75k from NFDC (though had been misstated in the report).
Until February 2020, 20+ startup and early stage businesses had been at the unit, with a deal in the pipeline for 100% occupancy. Since lockdown, co-working businesses had gradually left. No conferences had been run. There was still demand at offices but no demand for co-working space. 8 businesses remained at the offices and NHS was occupying part of the premises. Job growth had suffered at Covid.
Mr Sherry summarised progress against the following NFDC expected outcomes which had been set out against the seed funding:
· Skills and Talent Incubator - Working with Brockenhurst College, and a number of local organisations such as Solent LEP, a training association, and Solent Apprenticeship Hub, and NFBP.
· Resource and Facilities – Recruited a Director of Innovation
· Marketing – Employed a local provider, to do brand and website development and digital campaigning.
The overall funding of £150k had been spent as follows:
· £50k on Marketing
· £36k on Innovation Director
· £10k Refurbishments
· £20k Business Manager employment
· £34k Mr Sherry’s own consultant’s fees
Mr Sherry summarised the impact of Covid. It was hoped that the future outlook would improve. The ground floor of the premises had been given over to the NHS.
Overall, the centre needed £400k over the next 2 years to further develop the R&D; capability, sought from both private and public sources. Mr Sherry emphasised that this was a regional investment strategy with public and private investors with a focus on startups.
Whilst 49 had used public funding to launch the initiative, and in addition, Mr Sherry and his business partner had invested their own capital into the organisation. Some further public funding would be required to fulfil Government aspirations.
In answer to a question, Mr Sherry reported that no new apprenticeships had been created, as this depended on being able to create an academy. 26 jobs had indirectly been created as a result of involvement with the centre.
Mr Sherry was asked about the Green Tech businesses at 49. Mr Sherry felt there were opportunities as a result of Covid and green was at the heart of what they did.
Mr Sherry also summarised his interest in social entrepreneurship and social investment.
Mr Sherry was asked how he could repay the £220k investment from the ME3 LEP. In answer he intended to cut overheads and grow revenue wherever possible. He had not been able to draw funds. There were some potential private investments expected to restart in January.
Some members felt that the information given lacked future projections or detail on whether targets had been met, and very little quantitative information on future plans, or comparisons with the performance of other similar centres. They also noted that only 26 jobs had been indirectly created, albeit over a 3 year target of 100, adjusted to allow for Covid. They felt that no further funds should be forwarded without further information.
Mr Sherry offered to provide further information and pointed to Covid and its impacts. He had no information on different operators which had different models.
The Chairman acknowledged that although the pandemic had an impact on outcomes, the results were still disappointing given a full year had elapsed before the pandemic and no apprenticeships or startups had been created.
Officers would take the information into consideration for future reference.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
Mr Sherry, founder and CEO of the Centre attended to give a verbal update. As well as the officer’s report, Mr Sherry had submitted a written progress update for the Panel.
Mr Sherry complimented the Council for their quick response in helping businesses during Covid, which he knew was appreciated through his business contacts.
He explained that ‘49’, was the Centre for Social Innovation, which was a business - led open innovation centre, focussed on innovation and business needs and how innovation, research and development can be commercialised into the market.
This was a private / public partnership launched December 2019. He explained that a number of factors came into play at that time, including Brexit, a change of LEP.
The grant funding was confirmed as £75k from HCC and match funding of £75k from NFDC (though had been misstated in the report).
Until February 2020, 20+ startup and early stage businesses had been at the unit, with a deal in the pipeline for 100% occupancy. Since lockdown, co-working businesses had gradually left. No conferences had been run. There was still demand at offices but no demand for co-working space. 8 businesses remained at the offices and NHS was occupying part of the premises. Job growth had suffered at Covid.
Mr Sherry summarised progress against the following NFDC expected outcomes which had been set out against the seed funding:
· Skills and Talent Incubator - Working with Brockenhurst College, and a number of local organisations such as Solent LEP, a training association, and Solent Apprenticeship Hub, and NFBP.
· Resource and Facilities – Recruited a Director of Innovation
· Marketing – Employed a local provider, to do brand and website development and digital campaigning.
The overall funding of £150k had been spent as follows:
· £50k on Marketing
· £36k on Innovation Director
· £10k Refurbishments
· £20k Business Manager employment
· £34k Mr Sherry’s own consultant’s fees
Mr Sherry summarised the impact of Covid. It was hoped that the future outlook would improve. The ground floor of the premises had been given over to the NHS.
Overall, the centre needed £400k over the next 2 years to further develop the R&D; capability, sought from both private and public sources. Mr Sherry emphasised that this was a regional investment strategy with public and private investors with a focus on startups.
Whilst 49 had used public funding to launch the initiative, and in addition, Mr Sherry and his business partner had invested their own capital into the organisation. Some further public funding would be required to fulfil Government aspirations.
In answer to a question, Mr Sherry reported that no new apprenticeships had been created, as this depended on being able to create an academy. 26 jobs had indirectly been created as a result of involvement with the centre.
Mr Sherry was asked about the Green Tech businesses at 49. Mr Sherry felt there were opportunities as a result of Covid and green was at the heart of what they did.
Mr Sherry also summarised his interest in social entrepreneurship and social investment.
Mr Sherry was asked how he could repay the £220k investment from the ME3 LEP. In answer he intended to cut overheads and grow revenue wherever possible. He had not been able to draw funds. There were some potential private investments expected to restart in January.
Some members felt that the information given lacked future projections or detail on whether targets had been met, and very little quantitative information on future plans, or comparisons with the performance of other similar centres. They also noted that only 26 jobs had been indirectly created, albeit over a 3 year target of 100, adjusted to allow for Covid. They felt that no further funds should be forwarded without further information.
Mr Sherry offered to provide further information and pointed to Covid and its impacts. He had no information on different operators which had different models.
The Chairman acknowledged that although the pandemic had an impact on outcomes, the results were still disappointing given a full year had elapsed before the pandemic and no apprenticeships or startups had been created.
Officers would take the information into consideration for future reference.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
5
New Forest Financial Support Overview
To receive a report on the financial support schemes that have been made available to the Council during the 2020/21 financial year.
Attachments:
- Document New Forest Financial Support Overview 11 Nov 2020
- Document Appendices 11 Nov 2020
Minutes
The Panel received a report on the financial support schemes that had been made available to the Council during the 2020/21 financial year to date. These included:
· Support to the Council with new expenditure pressures and income losses suffered during the pandemic (£6.8m)
· For the Council to administer financial support to businesses situated within the district (£92m)
· For the Council to administer financial support to New Forest residents impacted by the pandemic (£1.1m)
· Other funding
Details were also given on the High Street fund and the Discretionary Grant Fund, the latter fund of £3.6m would run to 2022.
Members thanked the team for their speedy and efficient way in which the various grants had been administered.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
· Support to the Council with new expenditure pressures and income losses suffered during the pandemic (£6.8m)
· For the Council to administer financial support to businesses situated within the district (£92m)
· For the Council to administer financial support to New Forest residents impacted by the pandemic (£1.1m)
· Other funding
Details were also given on the High Street fund and the Discretionary Grant Fund, the latter fund of £3.6m would run to 2022.
Members thanked the team for their speedy and efficient way in which the various grants had been administered.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
6
ICT Strategy & Budget Update
To receive an update on the ICT Strategy & Budget.
Attachments:
- Document ICT Strategy Update Report 11 Nov 2020
Minutes
The Panel received a progress update on the ICT strategy for 2018 to 2022.
Details were given on:
· Progress with the website
· Telephony system
· Smarter Working VPN
· Skype / 365
· Teams for Conferencing
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Panel support the ICT Strategy and Budget Update detailed in this report which includes:
- an additional spend of £21,000 on Resilience & Security
- an estimated additional spend of £100,000 for Microsoft Teams implementation
- an estimated underspend of £147,000 for Applications.
(b) That the Panel support the changes as outlined in 10.1, and the rephasing of the budget as demonstrated in Table 2 (at 8.3), being reflected in Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
Details were given on:
· Progress with the website
· Telephony system
· Smarter Working VPN
· Skype / 365
· Teams for Conferencing
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Panel support the ICT Strategy and Budget Update detailed in this report which includes:
- an additional spend of £21,000 on Resilience & Security
- an estimated additional spend of £100,000 for Microsoft Teams implementation
- an estimated underspend of £147,000 for Applications.
(b) That the Panel support the changes as outlined in 10.1, and the rephasing of the budget as demonstrated in Table 2 (at 8.3), being reflected in Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
7
Portfolio Holders' Updates
To receive an oral update from the Portfolio Holders for Corporate Affairs, Finance, Corporate Services & Improvement and Local Economic Development, Property & Innovation on developments within their Portfolio areas.
Minutes
The Panel received an update from the portfolio holders on developments in their areas.
Cllr Rickman paid tribute to officers and Cabinet members for their efforts during the pandemic. Details of internal and external meetings were given including with HIOWLA. NFDC compared well with other authorities and were in a good financial position due to prudent management. He supported the Kickstart scheme and working with the Business partnership.
Cllr Heron explained that the budget and MTFP had been adjusted in response to the lockdowns with particular regard to the impact on revenue. Commercial investment projects were continuing but the situation was changing.
Cllr Rickman paid tribute to officers and Cabinet members for their efforts during the pandemic. Details of internal and external meetings were given including with HIOWLA. NFDC compared well with other authorities and were in a good financial position due to prudent management. He supported the Kickstart scheme and working with the Business partnership.
Cllr Heron explained that the budget and MTFP had been adjusted in response to the lockdowns with particular regard to the impact on revenue. Commercial investment projects were continuing but the situation was changing.
8
Work Programme
(a) To consider the Panel’s future Work Programme, including any reviews of previous work undertaken; and
(b) To receive any updates on Task and Finish Group work.
(b) To receive any updates on Task and Finish Group work.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 11 Nov 2020
Minutes
The Panel reviewed its work programme the chairman reported that she would be attending the next meeting of the employee forum on 11th of December to discuss progression of a staff efficiency survey, and would report back.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in