Issue - meetings

(a)To approve a loan to SLM of the sum set out in the exempt from publication Appendix B to this report, to support the cost of SLM’s payroll costs for furloughed staff for April 2020 only.

(b)To approve funding for a further loan of £16,171 in April, £12,391 in May and £10,578 in June 2020 (subject to a monthly review of Government instructions) to support the cost of a core team of staff carrying out essential maintenance of East Herts leisure centres.

Councillor Haysey reminded Members that this item included information at appendices B and C which was exempt from publication.

The Monitoring Officer advised that if Members wished to discuss those papers, the meeting would move to part 2, and exclude the press and public by means of stopping the livestream of the meeting. 

Councillor Williamson presented a report requesting that the decision of the Chief Executive taken on 16 April 2020, to approve an emergency loan to the leisure contractor, Sport and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), be noted.  The decision had been taken under delegated authority, to enable an expedited response, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.  The first part of the loan had already been repaid in full, and repayment terms were set out in relation to the further funding to support the cost of a core team of staff carrying out essential maintenance of the East Herts leisure centres.

Councillor Williamson proposed a motion that the recommendation in the report be supported.  Councillor Cutting seconded the motion. 

The motion, being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, was declared CARRIED.  

RESOLVED – that the decision of the Chief Executive, taken under delegated authority, be noted, to (A) approve a loan to SLM of the sum set out in the exempt from publication Appendix B to this report, to support the cost of SLM’s payroll costs for furloughed staff for April 2020 only; and

(B) to approve funding for a further loan of £16,171 in April, £12,391 in May and £10,578 in June 2020 (subject to a monthly review of Government instructions) to support the cost of a core team of staff carrying out essential maintenance of East Herts leisure centres.