Agenda item

That the proposed Terms of Reference for the Commercial Sub-Committee attached as Appendix A be agreed.

The Interim Director of Regeneration introduced a report that sought approval for the Terms of Reference for the new Commercial Sub-Committee which the Cabinet had agreed to establish in June 2019.

The purpose of the Sub-Committee would be to maximise existing and future commercial and business development opportunities for the Council.  It would strengthen the governance arrangements and improve the transparency of the area in scope which included, but was not limited to, Slough Urban Renewal, the Strategic Acquisition Board, the Council’s housing companies and proposed Environmental Services Trading Company.  The scale of regeneration and commercial projects in the next 5-10 years was significant and it was considered that the Sub-Committee would have an important role in agreeing a Commercial Strategy and Action Plan to bring together the various activities.  The Cabinet was assured that the new arrangements would not dilute the ambitious programme in place but would assist the Council in generating income and supporting front line services.

The proposed Terms of Reference were set out fully in Appendix A to the report and it was proposed that the first meeting be held on 1^st October 2019.  The Sub-Committee would be composed of the Leader and a further three Lead Members with relevant portfolios to be appointed annually.  In 2019/20 this would be the Lead Members for Governance & Customer Services, Transport & Environmental Services and Housing & Community Safety.

The Cabinet welcomed the establishment of the Sub-Committee and agreed that it would help the Council adopt best practice in managing commercial activities and balancing the risks.  The Terms of Reference were approved.

Resolved –  That the proposed Terms of Reference for the Commercial Sub-Committee attached as Appendix A be agreed.

(Councillor Pantelic left the meeting)