Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Innovation Lead.

Councillors considered a report of the Innovation Lead, which presented the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Articles of Association for the shareholder committee. The Head of Growth and Economic Regeneration highlighted the key points within the articles and noted that a more detailed set of articles would be developed and approved by the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth.

The shareholder committee considered the Articles of Association and points were discussed in the following areas:

·       In response to a question, it was noted that meetings of the shareholder committee would be held on a quarterly basis with frequent dialogue taking place between council officers and the company, once the company was established. This would form part of the council’s wider approach to economic development

·       The timescales for setting up the company were considered, and it was noted that an interim vision or business plan document could potentially be considered around Spring 2026. In the meantime, the company objects provided a direction of travel

·       The potential for differing objectives between the council and company was flagged and the Executive Director - Place noted that the company would be encouraged to bring early drafts of documents forward to the shareholder committee, to allow for a collaborative approach

·       It was confirmed that David Happy had been appointed as Chair of the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Company Board and that in addition, an offer had been made for the position of Managing Director of the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd. The Chair and Managing Director would join future meetings of the shareholder committee.

The shareholder committee received the Articles of Association.