Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet Shareholder Group meeting held on 1 August 2022.

The minutes of the Cabinet Shareholder Group meeting held on 1 August 2022 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2022.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest from members of the Shareholder Group.

Simon Hendey, Director of Housing and Commercial Development at Wiltshire Council, reported that he was attending the meeting in his capacity as a Director of the Stone Circle Companies.

There were no Leaders announcements.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions may also be asked by members of the Council. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Stuart Figini of Democratic Services stuart.figini@wiltshire.gov.uk 01225 718221 by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 1 November 2022. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

There was no public participation or questions from Councillors.

To receive an update on the Stone Circle Bi-Annual report from the Chair of the Stone Circle Companies.

The Shareholder Group received a presentation from the Director, Stone Circle Housing Company Ltd and Stone Circle Development Company Ltd, Simon Hendey, which provided an update on the Companies Business Plans.

The Director reported that Housing Company purchases were challenging due to ongoing supply shortages which impacted yields, however, flexibility on prices allowed by the 2022/23 Business Case revision allowed for more successful bids to be made. He also commented on historic purchases and opportunities in the current market.

The Group were informed of six projects currently being progressed by the Development Company and the Director provided updates for each project being undertaken. They noted that there had been delays in the planning process which hindered progress on several projects, however, the Director confirmed that the delays and changes in the housing market did not warrant projects being ended prior to completion, sale or tenanted. The Director confirmed that he would provide additional feedback in relation to the reasons for delays.

The Director also reported on the Stone Circle Companies Business Plan for 2023/24 highlighting the Companies plans in relation to finance, shared ownership, and registered provider status. In response to comments raised during the meeting it was noted that the Stone Circle Companies would continue acquiring properties and these could be used to receive nominations of Ukrainian families going forward.    

Resolved:

That the Stone Circle Business Plan update be noted.

To consider a proposal to delegate authority to an officer or Leader to approve the appointment of Chair of the Stone Circle Companies.

The Shareholder Group considered a request to delegate authority to Council officers, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to approve the appointment of the Chair and non-executive directors of the Stone Circle Companies Boards.

Resolved:

That the Shareholder Group delegate to the Director of Legal & Governance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to undertake the reserved matter of appointments of the Chair and non-executive directors to the relevant Boards of the Stone Circle companies, in accordance with recommendation 5 of the September 2021 Governance Review.

Any other items of business, which the Leader agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.