Issue - meetings

To consider a business development opportunity with Warrington Borough Council, and the development of a framework for relationships with external parties.

Consideration was given to a business development opportunity, initially for data sharing facilities, with Warrington Borough Council.  As well providing information on the specific business opportunity with Warrington Borough Council the report detailed the wider possibility of developing other commercial opportunities, partnerships and joint ventures, and to the need to develop frameworks for those relationships. 

The Committee was concerned at the short time period available in which to fully investigate the Warrington Borough Council opportunity.  An operational implementation date in April 2010 was being sought and this was considered to be insufficient time in which to explore the detailed legal and financial implications and the risks associated with a new venture of this kind. 

In order to assist Warrington Borough Council in its short term needs it was agreed that the matter could be accommodated under a licence arrangement; this would then enable the detailed matters associated with longer term contracts to be fully explored.

The Committee also agreed that the development of commercial opportunities, partnerships and joint ventures in general should be considered in more detail at a future informal Visioning Session. 

RESOLVED

1.      That, in order to support the development of a long-term relationship with Warrington Borough Council, the commercial opportunity be progressed in the short term by way of a short lease and that the terms and conditions of this be approved by the Chairman and the Vice Chairman. 

2.      That the Committee give further consideration to the development of a framework for developing partnership and commercial opportunities at its next Visioning Session.