There were no apologies for absence received.

Councillor Williamson declared a personal interest relating to the item on Venetian Waterways by virtue of being a member of Sea Change and the Preservation Trust.

Councillors Plant, B Coleman and Wainwright declared personal interests item relating to the additional item on St George's Trust by virtue of being representatives and Chairman on that body.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11 September 2018 were confirmed. 

The Committee received and noted the contents within the Forward Plan for the Policy and Resources Committee.

The item that would discuss the Budget would include the numbers of Full Time equivalent (FTE) staff.

The Committee had before them a copy of a report by the Head of Property and Asset Management on the design options for the redevelopment of the Market Place.

Prior to the introduction of the report the Chairman suggested that consideration of the report be deferred to enable further consultations to be held with interested parties.

RESOLVED :

(1) That consideration of the design option for the market redevelopment be deferred for further consultations with the individual market traders and stakeholders.

(2) That Council be recommended to give approval towards Capital Funding of £1.2m to be allocated toward the delivery of the market redevelopment to be financed by borrowing along with the associated revenue budget. This being subject to the identification of external funding.  

The Committee considered the Strategic Director's (KW) report on an update of progress for the Venetian Waterways Project.

The Strategic Director in answering members questions confirmed that :

• the Thatcher had provided training to volunteers
• latest spreadsheet with updated costs would be circulated to members 
• a revised business case was being prepared (after soft market discussions had been held) on the future management of the boating lake/cafe and the gardens
• the monitoring of the spend in the Council's revenue fund was being undertaken as outlined in the financial and conclusion sections of the report
• the condition of the water was to be monitored
• the Heritage Lottery Fund to be asked whether we could use a named partner in respect of works

RESOLVED :

That the progress of the Venetian Waterways Project as contained in the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report by the Strategic Director (NS) on an update on the activities of Equinox Enterprises Limited. It was noted that the governance review was suggesting that a replacement of a Director be introduced.

RESOLVED :

That Equinox Enterprises Limited replace Jane Beck (Head of PRoperty and Asset Management) as a Director and that David Glason (Development Director) is appointed to the Board as a new Director of Equinox Enterprises.

At this point in the meeting Councillors Plant, B Coleman and Wainwright left the meeting and took no part in any further discussions.

Councillor Smith presided over the meeting as Chairman.

St George's Trust

 It was noted that the St George's Trust Working Party had met with representatives of the Trust earlier that day and had considered the latest position of the Trust.

The Committee were requested to consider setting aside a sum of money to assist the Trust. Members raised some concerns about approving additional funding without a report and full details. The Trust would be asked to present a report to a future meeting.

RESOLVED :

That £33,000 be set aside for St George's Theatre Trust to be drawn down as and when required before considering a detailed report on the future business strategy at the Policy and resources Committee in November. 

Prior to the Commencement of the meeting a one minute silence was held in remembrance of Councillor Charles Reynolds.