Agenda and minutes

To note attendances, substitutes, and any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Brown.

Members of the public are entitled to address the Joint Committee on reports contained within the agenda.  One person can speak in support of each item, and one against, with a limit of three minutes each.  It would be helpful if any person wishing to speak would give prior notice to the Democratic Services Officer named below.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2010 were approved as a correct record.

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.

Members are asked to note that in accordance with the Constitution the Chairmanship of the Joint Committee is due to change from Cheshire East Council to Cheshire West and Chester Council, with effect from the first meeting to be held in the 2010/2011 municipal year which will be on 28 May 2010. 

The Constitution also states that meetings of the Joint Committee shall be held at the offices of the Member appointed as the Chairman.  The administration of the meetings will, therefore, also transfer to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Members were asked to note that in accordance with the Constitution the Chairmanship of the Joint Committee was due to change from Cheshire East Council to Cheshire West and Chester Council, with effect from the first meeting to be held in the 2010/2011 municipal year.  In addition the administration and location of the meetings would also transfer to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To consider an update including proposals for early disaggregation and transition, structure and location changes and extensions to transitional shared services.

Consideration was given to an update which included proposals for early disaggregation and transition, structure and location changes, and extensions to transitional shared services.  In addition the Committee was asked to formally approve the ICT Business Plan. 

RESOLVED

1.      That members approve the proposed changes to the shared service arrangements for Sensory Impaired Services, Student Finance and the Learning Resource Network

2.      That the ICT Business Plan be approved as the basis for the operation of the ICT Shared Service for 2009/10, recognising that it would be revised for the next financial year.

The Chairman agreed to this item being considered as an item of urgent business as the transitional services involved were scheduled to end on 31 March 2010 and the Highways and Geotechnical Laboratory Review was part of the urgent item to be considered in part 2 of the agenda. An urgent decision was needed to ensure that these shared services had a sound legal basis for continued operation after 31 March 2010.

Consideration was given to an update on transitional shared services and to the reasons for extending the sharing arrangements for the Youth Offending Service and CBS Supplies.  The position in respect of the Highways and Geotechnical Laboratory was highlighted; it was noted that the report arising from the strategic review of this service was appended to the item considered in part 2 of the agenda (minute no 58 refers).

RESOLVED

1.      That members approve extensions of the legal sharing arrangements for 6 months until 30 September 2010 for the following shared services:

·        Youth Offending Service

·        CBS Supplies

2.      That the findings and recommendations of the strategic review undertaken for the Highways & Geotechnical Laboratory shared service, attached as an Appendix to the report at minute no 58 of this agenda, be approved.    

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 Paragraphs 2 and 3 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

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 Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the recommendations of the Joint Officer Board that the application for voluntary early retirement without redundancy, as detailed in the matrix, be approved with effect from 31 March 2010 (noting that responsibility for the costs associated with this decision are to be funded solely by Cheshire West and Chester Council, rather than jointly).

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the recommendation of the Joint Officer Board that the applications for Voluntary  Redundancy, as detailed in the matrix, be approved with effect from 31 March 2010.

To consider a report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the recommendation of the Joint Officer Board that  the application for voluntary redundancy as detailed in the matrix be approved with effect from 30 March 2010.

The Chairman agreed to this item being considered as an item of urgent business.  It was desirable for the voluntary redundancy process to be finalised by 31 March 2010 and any delay in considering this matter would result in that timescale not being achieved.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council, and the Director of Resources Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Members sought clarification regarding the figures in paragraph 2.2 of the strategic review report.  It was agreed that this should be provided to the Chairman and to the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets Cheshire East Council.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the recommendation of the Joint Officer Board that subject to satisfactory clarification in respect of the figures in paragraph 2.2 of the strategic review report, the applications for voluntary redundancy as detailed in the matrix be approved with effect from 31 March 2010.