Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence of Members who are unable to attend this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Hill and G Turner.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 May 2017.

Approved as a correct record.

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

It was noted that all Agenda Items would be considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

No deputations or petitions were received.

The Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

No questions were asked.

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked.

A report seeking consideration of a number of options that could be implemented for the discretionary business rate relief scheme in respect of this year and subsequent years and seeking approval of the option they propose to adopt.

Officer: Steve Bird 01484-221000

1)    That approval be given to Option 3, as detailed at paragraph 2.11 of the considered report, and that a local West Yorkshire transitional relief scheme be the preferred option for discretionary business rate relief.

2)    That the Service Director (Finance, IT and Transactional Services) be delegated responsibility to conclude the preceptor consultation exercise and, assuming a positive response from the Police consultation exercise, put in place the relevant steps to enable the Council to implement the new business rate relief scheme.

A report seeking confirmation to adopt the Corporate Plan for 2017/18.

Officer: Andy Simcox – 01484-221000

1)    That the Corporate Plan 2017/2018 be endorsed and submitted to the meeting of Council on 11 July 2017 for approval.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to make any consequential amendments following the meeting of Council on 11 July 2017.

A report seeking consideration of the establishment of a West Yorkshire Joint Services Trading Company.

Officer: Debbie Hogg – 01484-221000

1)    That the legal position, as set out at Appendix 1 of the considered report be noted, specifically that the company will be a controlled company for the purposes of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

2)    That it be noted that the Council provides an indemnity to its appointed representative under the terms of the Local Authorities (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order 2004.

3)    That approval be given to the Business Case as attached at Appendix 2 of the considered report which supports the proposal to trade through the establishment of a trading company.

4)    That approval be given to the formation of a Holding Company to be limited by shares wholly owned by the founding members of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee, and to four subsidiary companies for Materials Testing, Calibration Services, Archaeological Services and Business Hive, to be owned by the Holding Company.

5)    That approval be given to the Council being involved as shareholder in West Yorkshire Joint Services Trading Company and its subsidiaries, as detailed within the considered report.

6)    That approval be given to participate as Directors of the company as detailed in the considered report.

7)    That the proposed governance and funding arrangements for the company be as detailed in the considered report.

8)    That approval be given to participation through a shareholders agreement on the terms drafted within the report, and that the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) be authorised to agree final terms and execute the agreement on behalf of the Council which should be on the same basis as the contribution rates payable to West Yorkshire Joint Services.

9)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director (Legal, Governance and Commissioning) to agree terms and enter into an agreement with the other four constituent authorities to indemnify Wakefield Council against any loss incurred as a result of making a working capital loan to West Yorkshire Joint Services HoldCo, on the same basis as the contribution rates payable to West Yorkshire Joint Services.