(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Maia Whitelegg)
The Head of Cultural Services submitted a report that gave consideration to a Cultural Services – Trust (Not for Profit Distributing Organisation).
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment, were set out in the report as follows:
In summary, the basic options were:
Option 1: Not to consider the setting up of a Cultural Services NPDO/Trust, or
Option 2: To support the principle, and take it forward as part of the 2008/09 budget and planning process. In support of this, officers would focus on planning the project.
The context for undertaking an appraisal of a Cultural Services NPDO/Trust took into account factors such as the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the Government’s Agenda of Improved and Innovative Service Delivery Models and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). An outline risk assessment of the Trust Option was also included in section 2.2 of the report. If Members choose to take this option forward, then the project planning work to be undertaken would expand on this, and also take account of the latest information arising in terms of the Council’s financial forecasts, and its planned objectives.
The decision as to whether Officers should investigate and evaluate a Not for Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO/Trust) option for the whole of Cultural Services was for Cabinet to determine initially, subject to the budget and planning process. However, should Members choose not to take forward that option, consideration would still need to be given to ensure value for money was being achieved under current arrangements, addressing the Audit Commission’s agenda of continual improvement, and responding to the need to evaluate alternative delivery models.
The preferred officer option was for Cabinet to support the principle of establishing a Not for Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO/Trust) for Cultural Services, on the basis as outlined in the report, for consideration as part of the 2008/09 budget process and that Officers progress work on planning such a project.
It was moved by Councillor Jon Barry: -
“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”
However, it was noted that there was no seconder to the proposition and, therefore, the proposition was deemed to have fallen.
It was then moved by Councillor Eileen Blamire and seconded by Councillor June Ashworth: -
“That Cabinet does not support the principle of establishing a Not for Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO/Trust) for Cultural Services.”
Members then voted as follows:
Resolved:
(7 Members voted in favour (Councillors Ashworth, Blamire, Bryning, Gilbert, Johnson, Kerr and Mace) and 1 Member voted against (Councillor Barry))
(1) That Cabinet does not support the principle of establishing a Not for Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO/Trust) for Cultural Services.
Officers responsible for effecting the decision:
Corporate Director (Regeneration).
Head of Cultural Services.
Reason for making the decision:
The decision does not commit Cabinet to establishing a Cultural Services NPDO/Trust in view of the potential financial risks at this time given the City Council’s budget position.