Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/078

Contact: Robin Rogers, Strategy Manager Tel: 07789 923206

Report by Chief Executive (CA7).

A report (to follow) will consider the implications of the changes to local government structures in Northamptonshire required by the Secretary of State, on Cherwell District Council and its current partnership arrangements with South Northamptonshire District Council. The report goes on to consider opportunities for future joint working between the County Council and Cherwell District Council with potential benefits to both councils and through them, residents. The report will seek agreement to the principle of joint working between Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council and to agree initial steps.

The report will be published as soon as it is available.

Local Government reorganisation in Northamptonshire has required the Leadership of Cherwell District Council (CDC) to reflect upon its future and consider what is best for its residents.  As a result they are ’minded to’ formally end their successful partnership with South Northamptonshire Council (SNC). While the functions of SNC are expected to be absorbed into a new unitary council, CDC will need to develop a new operating model that provides a stable platform for the continued improvement of services to residents and a sustainable financial strategy.

Prior to recent events in Northamptonshire, informal discussions between CDC and Oxfordshire County Council had already taken place on shared priorities for the locality. These include the sharing of accommodation and joint posts, with the aim being to put residents at the heart of delivery and to achieve improved services for communities through a closer working partnership.

This paper sets out an outline business case for formalising shared service activity and for a programme to develop joint working arrangements. It goes on to recommend that Cabinet approves the principle of joint working and to the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post. Cabinet is also asked to review and approve a set of guiding principles for joint working and to delegate to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader, the finalisation of a s113 Agreement, to allow for the establishment of formal joint committees as agreed by both councils and for implementation as business cases are agreed for each element of joint working. Finally, Cabinet is asked to agree to the establishment of an informal member-led Partnership Working Group.

Councillor Hudspeth in introducing the contents of the report referred to the context of the position Cherwell District Council found itself in. He stressed that the report was about the principle of working together and the first step was to appoint a joint Chief Executive. He assured Councillor Brighouse that there would be an opportunity to revisit the relationship with Hampshire. The work would dovetail into the Fit for the Future programme. There had been discussions between Leaders to get to this stage but the decision today would enable the Council to move forward together.

Nick Graham, Director of Law and Governance highlighted the Section 113 agreement and the Steering Group that would bring members together to explore opportunities for working together in an incremental approach. Audit & Governance Committee would be consulted on the Governance arrangements.

During discussions Councillor Bartholomew sought some clarification on the what would happen to the joint Chief Executive in the event that should for example,  the Cherwell DC Chief Executive be appointed and not be successful after the 6 month probationary period. The S113 document at Clause 5.5 was unclear. Nick Graham explained that it was an error in drafting which would be corrected. He confirmed that if unsuccessful in the joint role whoever it was would continue to be employed by their original authority. If the joint working arrangements continued then it would be for the employing authority to make appropriate provision for the returning Chief Executive. The joint working arrangements and the provisions of the probationary period were separate and this would be reflected in the final agreement.

In response to questions Cabinet was advised that by agreeing to the report Cabinet was not agreeing to any of the particular models. The Steering Group would be considering the way forward.

Cabinet in supporting the recommendations highlighted the opportunity to improve services for local people and looked forward to working with Cherwell DC.

RESOLVED:             (a) to agree:

•           to the principle of implementing joint working arrangements with Cherwell District Council;

•           that the guiding principles set out in paragraph 13 should apply in the development of joint working arrangements;

•           to establish a joint Chief Executive post with Cherwell District Council;

•           to the establishment of a member-led Partnership Working Group.

(b)                   to note:

•           the draft s113 agreement attached as Annex 1.

(c)                    to delegate

•           the conclusion of a s113 Agreement with Cherwell District Council to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader;

•           the agreement with Cherwell District Council to Terms of Reference of the Partnership Working Group to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader.