Agenda item

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Chairman agreed to allow consideration of this item as a matter of urgency as the agreements needed to be completed by 31 March 2009.  It had not been possible to finalise the report until the Joint Programme Development Team had met with representatives of the West on Monday 23 March 2009.

Consideration was given to this report on progress made in collaborating with Cheshire West and Chester Council to deliver a number of the Councils functions on a shared basis.  The report detailed those to be shared on a long-term basis, or for a transitional period, or that were being dealt with as part of a separate process, and indicated which Council was to be the host authority.

In considering the Membership of the Joint Committee it was considered that the Portfolio Holders associated with Performance and Capacity would be the most appropriate Members.  It was, however, intended that other relevant Portfolio Holders would be co-opted to attend as appropriate. 

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

1.    That the lists of transitional and longer-term shared services be ratified (Appendix 1);

2. That the Joint Programme Development Team be authorised to proceed with ensuring the smooth transition to  Shared service operation at Vesting Day;

3. That the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Shared Services

      and the Portfolio Holder for Resources, be given delegated authority to finalise the legal documents to give

      effect to the shared services agreements;

4. That agreement be given to enter into the necessary legal agreements to give effect to the shared services

Arrangements set out in this report subject to any amendments agreed by the Borough Treasurer and Head

            of Assets, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Shared Services and the Portfolio Holder for   

            Resources;

5. That agreement be given to the creation of a Joint Committee for the purposes of strategic decision making to facilitate shared service provision with Cheshire West and Chester Council and nominate three councillors to be members to the Joint Committee; these to be the Portfolio Holders for Resources, Procurement, Assets and Shared Services and Performance and Capacity.

6. That agreement be given for the discharge of its functions relating to the services specified in Appendix 1

      by the Joint Committee for discharge by the Joint Committee as appropriate and pending such a resolution

      of the Joint Committee; agree to the discharge of those functions as specified in Appendix 1 where

      Cheshire West and Chester Council is specified as the host by Cheshire West and Chester Council;

7. That agreement be given to accept responsibility for the discharge of the services specified in Appendix 1

      where Cheshire East Council is named as the host on behalf of the Joint Committee or, pending such

      resolution by the Joint Committee, on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council;

8. That agreement be given to the secondment, as appropriate, of staff working within the proposed shared

      service arrangement in respect of the services which are the responsibility of the Joint Committee;

9.  That the transfer of assets be authorised as appropriate to give effect to the shared services arrangements.