Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relating to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of public were present at the meeting.

To consider an increase in the fees and charges for all academic establishments in Cheshire East who buy back a health and safety service.

1.    That approval be given to increase fees by 2% in respect of delivering health and safety services to Cheshire East Schools during the academic year 2014/15.

2.    That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, approval be given for the Head of Governance and Democratic Services to award an agreed percentage reduction in fees, in such circumstances where:

·         there is a joint approach from several schools (e.g. a Trust which represents one or more Academies and associated feeder schools who are seeking a best price for all Trust allied schools); and

·         where it is possible that the business might be lost otherwise due to robust competition from external providers.

3.    That the Corporate Health & Safety Manager be authorised to take all necessary actions to implement the proposal.

Consideration was given to increasing the fees and charges for academic establishments in Cheshire who buy back a health and safety services from Cheshire East Council. 

It was reported that the Local Government Act 2013 introduced a general power to charge for the provision of any discretionary service on a cost recovery basis; the charging provisions in the Localism Act 2011 closely followed these requirements; it was noted that the income from charges must not exceed the costs of provision.

By increasing the fees for the forthcoming academic year by 2% the total income generated was expected to cover the costs of delivering the service based on the 2013/14 level of schools buying back their health and safety services from Cheshire East.

The Portfolio Holder reported that, because of their direct interest in the matter, the proposals had been fully discussed with the Portfolio Holders for both Finance and for Safeguarding Children and Adults. 

RESOLVED

1.    That approval be given to increase fees by 2% in respect of delivering health and safety services to Cheshire East Schools during the academic year 2014/15.

2.    That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, approval be given for the Head of Governance and Democratic Services to award an agreed percentage reduction in fees, in such circumstances where:

·         there is a joint approach from several schools (e.g. a Trust which represents one or more Academies and associated feeder schools who are seeking a best price for all Trust allied schools); and

·         where it is possible that the business might be lost otherwise due to robust competition from external providers.

3.    That the Corporate Health & Safety Manager be authorised to take all necessary actions to implement the proposal.