Issue - meetings

FCC Social Enterprise Update Report

Meeting: 14/11/2023 - Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 41)

41 FCC Social Enterprise Update Report pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That  the draft response to the Audit Wales report ‘A missed opportunity’ – Social Enterprises be supported; and

 

(b)       That the draft Social Enterprise Action Plan be supported.

 

Minutes:

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager presented the report to provide an update on social enterprise activity, achievements and future priorities.  He provided background information and advised that Audit Wales had recently completed a review of support for the social enterprise sector by Welsh local authorities. The report presented a proposed response to the Audit Wales report

recommendations; a self-assessment exercise undertaken by the Council using

the Audit Wales template; and a revised Social Enterprise Action Plan which

reflected any areas identified for improvement.  The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager reported on the main considerations as detailed in the report.

 

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager responded to the questions raised by Councillor Mike Peers concerning the post of the specialist social enterprise business advisor, the areas of improvement identified through self-assessment as summarised on page 33-52 of the report, and the role of sponsorship officers to promote the work of social enterprise.  The Social Enterprise Development Officer gave a brief overview of how the Stakeholder Group operated.

 

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager responded to the questions raised by Councillor Dan Rose regarding investment in social enterprises and explained that the Council did not generally invest funds directly in social enterprises.

 

Councillor Paul Johnson referred to page 60 of the report, and gave an update on progress on item 4.1 - Review procurement strategy to enable social enterprises to compete for contracts with the Local Authority in line with new guidelines as they are developed and released.

 

Councillor David Coggins-Cogan moved the recommendations in the report and this was seconded by Councillor Mike Peers.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That  the draft response to the Audit Wales report ‘A missed opportunity’ – Social Enterprises be supported; and

 

(b)       That the draft Social Enterprise Action Plan be supported.