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There was submitted a report by the Director of Development & Housing Services relative to the delivery of Business Gateway services.
The report explained that the Council managed delivery of the Business Gateway contract, due to expire on 30 September 2016, across the wider Renfrewshire area (incorporating East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde). Over the last year, an options appraisal had been carried out to consider the most appropriate delivery model for future Business Gateway services. The report set out the conclusions of the options appraisal and the appendix to the report detailed Business Gateway delivery models across Scotland.
Councillor Glen, seconded by Councillor Hood, moved:
(a) that it be noted that a full options appraisal had taken place;
(b) that it be agreed that the Business Gateway service be delivered separately and in-house by the three local authorities from 1 October 2016;
(c) that the Director of Development & Housing Services be authorised to finalise negotiations with the other two local authorities regarding the final split in budgets, and TUPE issues and to develop an appropriate service level agreement between the three local authorities for the future delivery of the service; and
(d) that further reports on the performance of Renfrewshire’s ongoing Business Gateway service be submitted to this Board.
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig, moved as an amendment that:
(a) Board notes that a full options appraisal has taken place yet the board paper was devoid of detail. No detail was given of financial implications ie. Savings/additional costs. The benefits/disbenefits of the in-house option compared to the existing model and why the existing contract had failed to deliver enhanced outcomes or provide the flexibility that this board paper implies was lacking;
(b) Rejects the proposal to bring the Business Gateway service in-house until all the relevant information was provided to elected members in order to make an informed decision; and
(c) This Board also rejects any attempts by this failing Labour administration to hand over our Business Development/Enterprise activities to the failed Labour administration of Glasgow City Council as noted in the board paper.
On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Andy Doig, Mack, K MacLaren and Nicolson.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Caldwell, Glen, Provost Hall, Councillors Harte, Holmes, Hood, McCartin and J Sharkey.
4 members having voted for the amendment and 8 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED:
(a) That it be noted that a full options appraisal had taken place;
(b) That it be agreed that the Business Gateway service be delivered separately and in-house by the three local authorities from 1 October 2016;
(c) That the Director of Development & Housing Services be authorised to finalise negotiations with the other two local authorities regarding the final split in budgets, and TUPE issues and to develop an appropriate service level agreement between the three local authorities for the future delivery of the service; and
(d) That further reports on the performance of Renfrewshire’s on-going Business Gateway service be submitted to this Board.