Issue - meetings

To consider the attached paper, which is in the format of a Cabinet report, to enable Panel Members to be aware of a forthcoming Cabinet issue and to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

Consideration was given to a report, which was submitted to the Panel to enable Members to be aware of a forthcoming Cabinet issue and to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

The report informed Members of the legal and contractual context of the future relationship with Connexions Cheshire and Warrington Ltd. The report also highlighted the actions being taken by Cheshire County Council, in discussion with Warrington Borough Council and the Connexions Company, to transfer the County Council’s interests in Connexions to Cheshire East Council under the terms of the legally binding Members’ Agreement between CCC and WBC.

With regard to paragraph 2.6 of the report, Members agreed that Cabinet should be recommended to approve option 1- continuation of the current pan – Cheshire contract for one year with both LAs agreeing similar funding levels that will be compatible with delivering a pan-Cheshire contract and service specification to 1 April 2010, incorporating a refresh of outcome and output targets so they accord with each Authority’s LAA and other area specific requirements.

Members expressed the importance of the need to put in place effective contract management arrangements within the Children’s Services/People Directorate to performance manage the contract with Connexions.

Members also highlighted that the youth service provision should be maintained within the constraints of the budget.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet be recommended to:

1. Approve the continuation of the current pan – Cheshire contract for one year with both LAs agreeing similar funding levels that will be compatible with delivering a pan-Cheshire contract and service specification to 1 April 2010, incorporating a refresh of outcome and output targets so they accord with each Authority’s LAA and other area specific requirements.
2. Give consideration to the need to put in place effective contract management arrangements within the Children’s Services/People Directorate to performance manage the contract with Connexions

      3.   Give consideration to the youth service provision being maintained within the constraints of the budget.