Agenda and minutes

Councillor P H Mason - Procurement and Shared Services Portfolio Holder

Lisa Quinn - Director of Finance and Business Services

Jackie Gray – Shared Services manager

Mark Nedderman – Senior Scrutiny Officer

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests and for members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered. 

There were no members of the public present at the meeting who wished to address the Committee.

To consider a report of the Shared Services Manager and Temporary Procurement Unit Manager.

Lisa Quinn, and Jackie Gray, attended the meeting and gave a presentation on Shared Services.

In October 2010, the Committee had received an introductory briefing on the Shared Service arrangements put in place between Cheshire East (CE) and Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) Councils post Local Government Review. At that time the Committee had been made aware of:

·         32 sharing arrangements in place and current status

·         Underpinning legal agreements

·         Governance arrangements

·         Key achievements

·         Developments to move the Shared Services forward

During the last year, it had been decided to put in place separate alternative arrangements in each Council for several of the transitional Shared Services. It was therefore anticipated that by the end of the year only ten Shared Services would remain. 

Jackie explained the process to be followed to create a Separate Legal Entity (SLE) involving ICT, HR and Occupational Health, which was anticipated to seek approval in December 2011, with a view to introduction in April 2012.

Any remaining shared services would be subject to a continual improvement programme. In addition opportunities would be explored to share services with partners including the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Borough Solicitor.

The Committee considered a report of the Borough Solicitor containing the Committee’s Work programme for 2011/2012.

The Committees attention was drawn to the two issues added to the work programme on 4 October 2011 relating to:

• Political management arrangements – to explore the range of options likely to be available to local authorities in the Localism Bill;

• Agency staff – to be consulted on the procurement of temporary agency staff.

RESOLVED –

(a)               That the report be received;

(b)               That items relating to Political Management Arrangements and Agency staff be placed on the agenda for the next meeting to be held on 25 November 2011.

To note the current forward plan, identify any new items, and to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

The Committee considered items listed in the current forward plan.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan be received and noted.