Agenda item

(a)  That the business case set out in Appendix A, and indicative programme for the first 12 months be approved.

(b)  That the Service Lead Governance, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Housing and Leader of the Council, be authorised to seek the incorporation of the Trading Partnership and to complete all necessary procedures for this purpose.

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Governance and Service Lead Neighbourhoods, following consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance & Housing, to confirm the governance arrangements and complete and agree the Articles of Association and Shareholder Agreement.

(d)  That the TP continuously report back to RMI Strategic Management Board which consists of Contract Administrator (Neighbourhood Service Lead), Strategic Director, Place & Development, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance & Housing and OPSL.

(e)  That the Section 151 officer sanction any financial support including the use of retained 1-4-1 RTB receipts or pump priming investment by HRA or GF to facilitate Trading Partnership start up so as to deliver work programmes.

(f)  That the Cabinet receive an update on the progress of establishing the Trading Partnership at the meeting to be held on 18^th June 2018.

The Director of Place & Development introduced a follow up report to that considered by the Cabinet on 18^th September 2017 on the business case and structure of a trading partnership with Osborne Property Services Ltd (OPSL). 

The Cabinet agreed to note the business case at Appendix A to the report during Part I of the agenda without disclosing any of the exempt information.

The arrangement would provide a mechanism to develop affordable, modular housing units, initially at seven small sites across Slough.  It would also make available a home improvement, repairs and maintenance incentive offer to private landlords to help prevent homelessness as well as other home improvement and repairs services.  The decisions would enable the partnership to be established and set the work programme for the next twelve months.

The Cabinet welcomed the potential opportunities of the trading partnership, approved the recommendations and requested that an update on progress be received at the meeting in June 2018.

Resolved –

(a)  That the business case set out in Appendix A, and indicative programme for the first 12 months be approved.

(b)  That the Service Lead Governance, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Housing and Leader of the Council, be authorised to seek the incorporation of the Trading Partnership and to complete all necessary procedures for this purpose.

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Governance and Service Lead Neighbourhoods, following consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance & Housing, to confirm the governance arrangements and complete and agree the Articles of Association and Shareholder Agreement.

(d)  That the TP continuously report back to RMI Strategic Management Board which consists of Contract Administrator (Neighbourhood Service Lead), Strategic Director, Place & Development, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance & Housing and OPSL.

(e)  That the Section 151 officer sanction any financial support including the use of retained 1-4-1 RTB receipts or pump priming investment by HRA or GF to facilitate Trading Partnership start up so as to deliver work programmes.

(f)  That the Cabinet receive an update on the progress of establishing the Trading Partnership at the meeting to be held on 18^th June 2018.

(Councillor Pantelic left the meeting)