Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Peter Mason be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

 To appointment a Vice Chairman of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Les Ford be appointed Vice Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work 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 questions were submitted at least one working day before the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To consider the Constitution and Terms of Reference of the Shared Services Joint Committee, as set out in the Cheshire East Borough Council and Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council Shared Services Administrative Agreement.

Consideration was given to the Constitution and Terms of Reference of the Shared Services Joint Committee, as set out in the Cheshire East Borough Council and Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council Shared Services Administrative Agreement.  It was reported that the next meeting of the Committee would be on 13 July 2009 at 2.00 pm and that the meetings would then be bi-monthly unless otherwise determined by the Joint Committee.

RESOLVED

1.  That the Constitution and Terms of Reference of the Shared Services Joint Committee be noted.

2.  That the Terms of Reference of the Shared Services Joint Officer Board be noted.

3.  That the contents of the Financial Memorandum be noted.

4.  That the date of the next meeting be noted.

           To consider a report, updating the Joint Committee on progress made in the development of the Business Plans and Service Delivery Statements for each of the thirty-five Shared Services that have been established by Cheshire East Council (CE) and Cheshire West & Chester Council (CWAC).

Consideration was given to a report which updated the Joint Committee on progress to date in the development of Business Plans and Service Delivery Statements for each of the thirty-five Shared Services established by Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council. 

Clarification was given in respect of specific points raised and it was reported that at the next meeting the aim would be to approve the Business Plans and Service Delivery Statements, and to agree the performance review mechanism up to 31 March 2010.

RESOLVED

1. That the progress made in the development of the Shared Services Business Plans and Service Delivery Statements be noted.

2. That the work to be completed to achieve the approval of the completed Business Plans and Service Delivery Statements at the next meting be noted.

To consider a report relating to Cheshire Shared Services Communications and to approve the Communications Plan.

Consideration was given to a Communications Plan, to support the effective delivery and understanding of the service.  Part of this plan included the branding of communication items such as stationary, signage, and the website, as well as uniforms, livery and signage.  Members were shown examples of proposals for these items and discussed ideas for possible changes and improvements.  It was agreed that the suggestions would be investigated further and considered again at the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and that the Communications Plan be considered further at the next meeting of the Committee.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing it.

(Paragraph 4 relates to information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or officer holders under the authority.)

           To consider a report updating the Joint Committee on the potential staffing reductions proposed in Business Plans, especially ICT and HR & Finance, and the timescales for these reductions in order to minimise costs and realise efficiency savings for both Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester.

Consideration was given to this report updating the Committee on the consultation process.

RESOLVED

That the report be approved.