Agenda and minutes

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

There were no apologies for absence.

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 26 November 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2009 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the policy for the issue of badges authorising drivers and escorts employed by third parties to operate vehicles in relation to transport contracts across both Boroughs.

Consideration was given a report of the Head of Planning and Transportation Highways and to the adoption of a policy for the issue of badges authorising drivers and escorts employed by third parties to operate vehicles in relation to transport contracts across the Boroughs of both Councils. 

In considering this matter it was noted that the Constitution of the Joint Committee did not currently include a procedure for urgent decisions to be made should they become necessary between meetings; the Committee was asked to consider the addition of such a provision.

RESOLVED

1.      That approval be given to the adoption of the policy, attached to the report, for the issue of badges authorising drivers and escorts employed by third parties to operate vehicles in relation to transport contracts across the boroughs of both Councils.

2.      That the Borough Solicitor be requested to prepare changes to the governing instrument to set up a formal process for taking urgent decisions outside the regular cycle of meetings, based on receiving the approval of two members, one being from each of the two Councils. 

To consider a joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets (Cheshire East) and the Director of Resources (Cheshire West and Chester) giving an update on transitional shared services due for disaggregation in 2009, the progress of strategic reviews that are currently being carried out, and a work programme for future meetings.

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets (Cheshire East) and the Director of Resources (Cheshire West and Chester).  The report provided an update on the transitional shared services due for disaggregation in 2009, the progress of a number of strategic reviews that were in the process of being carried out, and a work programme for future meetings. 

It was confirmed that the Schools Admissions Service had ceased to be a Shared Service with effect from 31 October 2009.

RESOLVED

1.      That confirmation be given to the closure of shared service arrangements for those services disaggregating in 2009 where the transition had been completed and approved by Joint Officer Board, i.e. the Schools Admissions service and that the details of the transition work in sections 7 and 12 be noted.

2. That the progress to date relating to the strategic reviews currently underway and the relation to the separately documented Voluntary Redundancy proposals to the Joint Committee be noted.

3.      That the future agendas and proposed items for the Joint Committee be noted and that the programme of work required to meet this schedule 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

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involved 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 joint report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets (Cheshire East) and the Director of Resources (Cheshire West and Chester).

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

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the recommendations of the Joint Officer Board that: -

1.      The application for Voluntary Redundancy, as detailed in the matrix attached to the report, be approved with effect from 30 March 2010.

2.      That retrospective approval be given to the three Voluntary Redundancies from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council in October 2009.