Decision details

To consider establishing a trading company to take advantage of the opportunity identified to facilitate joint venture arrangements with potential private sector partners to commercialise existing services. 

  i.  Delegate to the Corporate Director (Services) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Partnerships and Shared Services authorisation to exercise the Council’s powers granted under s.95 of the Local Government Act 2003 and/or sections 1 and 4 of the Localism Act 2011 to trade on commercial terms with other parties including Public, Private and third sector organisations through the establishment of a Local Authority Trading Hold Company together with associated or subsidiary companies where appropriate and prudent.

  ii.  Delegate to the Corporate Director (Services) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Partnerships and Shared Services the conclusion of the Articles of Association and Shareholders/Members Agreement(s) for final approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.

  iii.  Appoint the Executive Councillor for Strategic Partnerships and Shared Services to be a Non-Executive Director and the Chairman of the company and that the Leader be authorised to nominate another member to be on the board as Non-Executive Director.

  iv.  That the Cabinet on behalf of Huntingdonshire District Council agree to purchase one ordinary share for the sum of £100K in the new general trading company.

  v.  Approve a pan Council commercial operating policy (The Commercial Model) and a commercial business development team to be used as the sole methodology for evaluating all commercial activity, new propositions and trading with external organisations.

  vi.  Delegate to the Corporate Director (Delivery), in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Partnerships and Shared Services, the procurement of a partner to provide CCTV technology and maintenance services through a call-off framework.

  vii.  Delegate to the Corporate Director (Delivery), in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Partnerships and Shared Services, the sourcing of a partner to jointly deliver CCTV as a commercial joint venture company (CCTVCo) to other organisations outside any existing shared services arrangements the Council may have.

 viii.  Authorise the granting of indemnities against the potential personal liability for non-fraudulent acts or omissions undertaken in the course of their duties for such elected members of officers as were appointed by the Council to serve as Directors of the Local Authority Trading Company or CCTV pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of s265 of the Public Health Act 1875 and the Local Authorities (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order 2004.

  ix.  Approve the outline Business Case, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the submitted report.

To set up a ‘head’ or holding company to allow the Council flexibility to explore other commercial delivery vehicles as associated or subsidiary companies.

None considered.

That the Council invest £100K in one share – to be used to establish the company and to cover any external advice as required on branding, insurance, legal and financial matters of taxation. In addition it will be used to evaluate the viability of proposals for a new Commercial CCTV.