Issue - meetings

To consider a draft ‘Concordat’ / Terms of Reference for the joint Chief Executive arrangements between Redditch and Bromsgrove Districts.

(Report attached)

Members considered a report that sought approval to a Concordat for joint working between Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils. The Council discussed the Concordat in some detail, amendments were tabled and a number of further amendments proposed and considered during the course of debate. Most discussion centred around the principle of the Joint Chief Executive arrangements. The Leader of the Minority Group on the Council indicated that he and his Group supported the broader Shared Services agenda but did not support, at this time, the principle of a Joint Chief Executive.

RESOLVED that

1)      the terms of reference and governance arrangements detailed within the draft Concordat document attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved, subject to the recommended arrangements proposed by the Shared Service Board and the amendments, below:

a)      removal of the word “will” from and insertion of “subject to the agreement of the Shared Services Board and both Councils” within paragraph 5.6 of the Concordat;

b)     acceptance of an undertaking that matters as described in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 of the Concordat would be agreed through the Executive Committees and Councils of either organisation; and

c)      amendment of paragraph 7  of the Concordat to read “Either Council may choose to bring to an end…”

2)      the six month review process referred to in the Concordat be undertaken by the Executive Committee in accordance with the criteria detailed at 4.3 within the draft Concordat (attached at Appendix 1 to the report);

3)      the quick wins for further joint working / shared services between Redditch and Bromsgrove Councils as recommended by the Shared Services Board and outlined in the Quick Wins report (attached at Appendix 3), namely in respect of:

a)            Elections

b)           Community Safety

c)            Performance and financial management

d)           Equality and Diversity

e)            Member Development

f)             Head of Financial Services

         be approved for further investigation and business case preparation;

4)      an offer of membership on the Shared Services Board be offered to the Leaders of the two Councils’ respective Labour Groups; and

5)      the sum of £40,000 be provided from balances to support the production of a full business case for shared services, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.