Issue - meetings

(i)        to approve the international trade and European partnership travel priorities for 2019-20 (sections 3.7, 3.8 and 3.11.4) provided the cost of such travel does not exceed the budget envelopes set out in this report;

(ii)       to approve travel to two key World Energy Cities Partnership events (being the Annual General Meeting and the Working Group Meeting) in the financial years 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 subject to the annual budget setting cycle;

(iii)      to delegate authority to the Chief Officer - City Growth (as the budget holder) to authorise only necessary and appropriate travel and associated expenditure to fulfil the agreed plans for 2019-20, provided the cost of such travel is reasonable and does not exceed the budget envelopes set out in the report. All travel will be booked in accordance with the Council’s policies on travel; and

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to submit an annual service update to the City Growth and Resources Committee on all international travel outlining the economic benefits achieved.

With reference to article 9 of the minute of the previous meeting of 7 February 2019, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – City Growth which sought approval for international trade and European partnership priorities for 2019-20 and for associated travel expenditure.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve the international trade and European partnership travel priorities for 2019-20 (sections 3.7, 3.8 and 3.11.4) provided the cost of such travel does not exceed the budget envelopes set out in this report;

(b)      approve travel to two key World Energy Cities Partnership events (being the Annual General Meeting and the Working Group Meeting) in the financial years 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 subject to the annual budget setting cycle;

(c)      delegate authority to the Chief Officer - City Growth (as the budget holder) to authorise only necessary and appropriate travel and associated expenditure to fulfil the agreed plans for 2019-20, provided the cost of such travel is reasonable and does not exceed the budget envelopes set out in the report. All travel will be booked in accordance with the Council’s policies on travel; and

(d)      instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to submit an annual service update to the City Growth and Resources Committee on all international travel outlining the economic benefits achieved.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.