(a)          Decision(s)

(1)  That approval be given to AVE’s draft Business Plan for 2017/2018 (as set out in the confidential section of the Cabinet report) and that progress against key performance measures be reviewed in six months time.

(2)  That in conjunction with the above report, and at the conclusion of the finalisation/audit of AVE’s accounts, a commentary be submitted that would enable Cabinet to compare the performance made with the 2016/17 Business Plan against the key performance indicators for that financial year.

(b)          Reason(s) for Decision(s)

The Members’ Agreement requires AVE to prepare a Business Plan before the end of the accounting year and circulate this for approval by the Council and Akeman.

 (c)       Alternative Options Considered

Not to approve the Plan.  However this would constrain AVE in pursuing its objectives of generating investment and delivering income from the Commercial portfolio.  Cabinet wished to have the opportunity to review both progress on the 2017/18 Plan and progress made against the key performance indicators contained within the 2016/17 Plan.

(d)       Relevant Scrutiny Committee

Economy and Business Development.  That Committee received a report at its meeting held on 5 December, 2016 and had, based upon the information available, recommended approval of the 2017/2018 Business Plan.  The Chairman of the Committee attended the Cabinet meeting and elaborated upon the Committee’s deliberations.  Representatives form the AVE Board attended both the Scrutiny Committee meeting and the Cabinet meeting and were tested rigorously on the assumptions made in the draft 2017/18 Plan.

(e)        Conflicts of Interest / Dispensation(s)

None.