That all items be web-cast.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gibson.

Councillor Butler substituted for Councillor Gibson.

Councillors Burton, Collins, Garland, Hotson, Ring and Vizzard attended as Visiting Members with interests in Item 8 on the agenda, ‘The Council as a Business?’ Review.

There were no disclosures.

It was agreed that all items be taken in public as proposed.

The Committee discussed minute 59, ‘The Council as a Business?’ Survey Results, on page 7 of the agenda.  Concerns were raised on the wording of the minutes which could be perceived as suggesting that the entire review focus had shifted from examining how savings and income could be generated in a more innovate manner to developing a ‘business-like’ culture.  It was agreed that wording should be altered slightly to ensure the minute reflected the Committee’s true intentions.

It was resolved:

a)  That the first line of the second paragraph of minute 59 should be changed to read ‘the Committee discussed the review topic and considered if a focus’ from ‘the Committee discussed the review topic and considered if the focus’; and

b)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2011 be agreed as a correct record of the meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.

Interviews with:

·  John Taylor, Chair of the Regeneration and Economic Development Local Strategic Partnership Sub Group;

·  Victoria Wallace, Chief Executive Leeds Castle;

·  Elaine Collins, Marden Business Forum and the Network of Rural Business Forums;

·  Terry Collins, Marden Business Forum and the Network of Rural Business Forums;

·  Darren Hoadley, Director of Scarab Sweepers;

·  Jan Renwick, Retired Director of Inprint Ltd;

·  Councillor Chris Garland, Leader of the Council / Managing Director of Attia Financial Bookkeeping; and

·  Councillor David Burton, Managing Director of Burtons Medical Equipment Ltd.

The Chairman welcomed John Taylor, Chair of the Economic Development and Regeneration Local Strategic Partnership Sub Group, Victoria Wallace, Chief Executive at Leeds Castle, Elaine Collins from the Marden Business Forum and the Network of Rural Business Forums, Councillor Chris Garland, Leader of the Council and Managing Director of Atia Financial Bookkeeping and Councillor David Burton, Managing Director of Burtons Medical Equipment Ltd.

The debate began with by questioning how the Council was regarded as a Business and the consideration that there was a difference between entrepreneurial spirit and a business like approach. Members agreeing with the panel of witnesses that they were two very different concepts and that how you run a business was ‘business-like’. The Committee felt that Councils were being actively encouraged to run their organisations like businesses but felt they should not be in direct competition with local private businesses.

Councillor Burton spoke of the difference between business like and entrepreneurial.  He referenced a Machiavellian definition used by the Leader of the Council which defined an entrepreneur as someone who knew the difference between opportunity and profit and charged for it.

He felt Car Parking was an area that as an entrepreneur it would be easy to make a profit from but for the council it would be at odds with its role which was more about social engineering than exploiting its assets for profit. Councillor Burton described his own experiences from a business perspective where he had experienced the public sector competing with the private sector.  He spoke of the manner in which the public sector had undercut the private sector by offering a premium service that was not costed to include the overheads such as in house finance departments and rental costs.  This led to the misconception that they were making a profit, when in fact they were operating at a loss. 

Mr Taylor provided a similar example to the Committee where the public sector had taken over the running of patient transport only to find out six months later that it was no longer financial viable.  The original provider refused to come back as their trust had been broken.  Mr Taylor emphasised that trust was paramount in business. Mrs Collins suggested good practices in this area such as the approach taken by the private sector with IT providers. She told the Committee that this was a service that was market tested annually and could be taken back fairly through a tendering process at any stage.

It was felt that Maidstone Borough Council had been entrepreneurial in the past with the development of Fremlin’s Walk in the Town Centre and in hosting the Radio 1 Big Weekend which were two large projects brought to fruition by the authority. Ms Wallace stated that the Council were already acting in an entrepreneurial manner in running the Leisure Centre, the Hazlitt Theatre and various events.  She made particular reference to Proms in the Park which was a free event. It was felt that by not charging for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

The Committee discussed the Forward Plan in relation to their future work programme. Members focused on the Parish Services Scheme ‘To consider the outcome of the concurrent functions review and agree the new Parish Services Scheme.’  Councillor Gooch declared an interest in this item as Chairman of Barming Parish and Councillor English as KALC secretary.  Members felt that the issue was ‘budgetary’ and that the Committee’s second meeting in November should be considered for this item.

The Committee discussed the localisation of Council Tax benefit consultation and asked that a copy be circulated to Members as soon as it was available.

The Community Halls Audit was also discussed as an item on the future work programme.  It was suggested that the lead officer at Kent County Council also be included as a witness.

The Scrutiny Officer asked Members to provide her with dates for a visit to the Prison’s Print facility.

It was resolved:

a)  That the Parish Services Scheme should be scheduled to come to the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29 November 2011;

b)  A copy of the Council’s response to the consultation on Council Tax Benefit should be circulated via email to the Committee by the Scrutiny Officer;

c)  The Committee should provide the Scrutiny Officer with their availability for a visit to the Prison’s Print Unit; and

d)  The Community Halls Audit Officer at Kent County Council should be sought as a witness for a future Meeting.

6.31 p.m. to 8.37 p.m.