Minutes:
Alan Harris and Kevin White from Montagu Evans then presented to the Board.
Alan Harris presented to the board on the issues facing Town Centres. He noted the excitement around this area following the High Streets Fund, discussing the challenges of the digital economy, generation Z and decline in retail facing town centre. Alan spoke about creating a sense of place and developing a high street plan.
Kevin White then presented to the board on ‘Commercial Investment - Investing for Income’. Kevin outlined the background in council commercial activity, including the increase in commercial spending over 4 years by councils. He then spoke to the board about how governance is key in spending decisions and how to balance the risk of such investments.