Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Ann Isherwood and it was confirmed that Councillor Joanne Beecham was attending as her substitute.

Councillor Joanne Beecham declared an other disclosable interest in all of the items on the agenda as she hired the Palace Theatre, which was managed by Rubicon Leisure Limited, from time to time.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Shareholders Committee that was held on 1^st October 2020 be approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure Limited presented a report which detailed proposals to extend the closure of Forge Mill Needle Museum until 30^th April 2021.

Members were advised that the museum had previously been closed in November 2020, with the agreement of the Shareholders Committee.  The museum closed in December and January in most years, with a view to reopening in February.  However, following the announcement of the third national lockdown, Rubicon Leisure Limited had concluded that it would not be possible to reopen the venue that month.  Instead, It was suggested that an opening date of 1^st May 2021 would be more realistic, particularly as the museum had been unable to reopen safely in the summer of 2020 when previous lockdown restrictions had been eased.

There would be the potential for Rubicon Leisure Limited to secure a small level of financial savings as a consequence of extending the closure of Forge Mill Needle Museum.  Staff would remain on furlough and there would be a need to continue to undertake compliance checks, in accordance with health and safety requirements, but this would be less costly than opening the museum at this time.

RESOLVED that

1)        due to the operational and financial constraints of re-opening the Museum in February 2021, the Shareholder Committee agree as a variation to the Service Specification, that from 1st February 2021 and up until the 30th April 2021 the Museum remains closed and re-opens on the 1st May 2021 subject to Government Advice on the re-opening of Museums; and

2)        the legal changes to the operating contract are delegated to the Head of Legal, Democratic and Property Services and the Executive Director of Finance and Resources to implement.

“That, under S.100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matter(s) on the grounds that it/they involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs (to be specified) of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act”.

These paragraphs are as follows:

Subject to the “public interest” test, information relating to:

·         Para 3 – financial or business affairs;

·         Para 4 – labour relations matters;

Under S100 A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 of the said act, as amended.

Minute Item No. 23 – Business Continuity Report

Minute Item No. 24 – Quarter 2 Performance Monitoring Report

Minute Item No. 25 – Quarter 2 Budget Monitoring Report

Minute Item No. 26 – Rubicon Board – Director

Minute Item No. 27 – Rubicon – Future Operating Model

The Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure Limited presented a report focusing on business continuity arrangements.

(During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information.  It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).

The Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure Limited presented the Quarter 2 Performance Monitoring Report for Members’ consideration.

Members were advised that the report had been considered and approved by the Rubicon Board in September 2020.  Due to the timing of meetings of the Shareholders Committee it had not been possible to present the report for Members’ consideration until January 2021.  However, to ensure that the report could be presented in a more timely manner in future, extra meeting dates had been identified for the Shareholders Committee which would follow meetings of the Board.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

(During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information.  It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).

The Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure Limited presented the Quarter 2 Budget Monitoring Report for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

(During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information.  It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).

The Head of Legal, Democratic and Property Services presented a report in respect of membership of the Rubicon Board.

(During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information.  It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to any consultations or negotiations, including contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matters arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority).

The Committee considered a report focusing on the future operating model for Rubicon Leisure Limited.

(During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information.  It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).