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Decision Maker: Leader of the Council
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
The report will provide members with an overview of progress and potential future areas for shared service consideration.
Matter for
Decision
In July 2014, Huntingdon District Council (HDC), South
Cambridgeshire District Council (SDC) and Cambridge City Council (CCC) agreed
in principle to work as a partnership to deliver a range of shared services over
a number of phases, building on existing collaborations.
The report outlined the overall approach that had been
taken to the development of these shared services proposals.
Decision
of the Leader
The
Executive Councillor agreed:
i.
That the
approach to shared services outlined in the report be endorsed.
ii.
That
approval be given to the establishment of a Joint
Committee without delegated powers to oversee the delivery of shared services.
iii.
That the
Leader be confirmed as the Council’s representative to this committee and a
deputy be appointed
iv.
That the
proposed sovereignty guarantee in section 8 be approved
v.
That the
approach to cost sharing principles and partnership agreement as outlined in
section 9 be approved.
vi.
That the
approval of the final partnership agreement be delegated to the Chief Executive
in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Chair of Strategy and Resources
Scrutiny Committee and Spokes.
vii.
That,
subject to the approval of the business cases for IT, Legal and Building
Control Shared Services, formal consultation commences with Trade Unions/Staff
Council and affected staff on 24 July 2015, closing on 1 September 2015.
Reason for the Decision
As set out in the Officer’s report.
Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Not applicable.
Scrutiny
Considerations
The Committee received a report from the Chief Executive regarding the Shared Services Overview.
In response to Members’ questions the Chief Executive stated that:
i.
Shared Waste Services were not part of this report
as they were already in the pipeline and had already established a shared
governance arrangement. However, this might be rationalised at a later date.
ii.
The Lead Authority had been agreed in preference to
other models as this allowed the individual authorities to keep control of the
decisions. The authority to make decisions would remain with the Executive
Councillors.
iii.
Differences in approaches to staff negotiations,
such as the fact that Huntingdon had a staff council but did not recognise
unions, had been considered and harmonisation discussions were on-going.
iv.
The powers and functions of the Joint Committee
would reflect current delegations.
v.
Recharging individual authorities for services used
would require consistent information about costs and service consumption.
vi.
A detailed exit strategy and notice periods would
be included in the partnership agreement.
vii.
Initial costs of moving to a shared service, such
as redundancy payments for senior managers, would be met by the individual
authorities.
viii.
A formula for allocation and mechanisms for
repaying host authorities for services was under development. All three
authorities would be both providers and users of services and therefore, had
vested interests in agreeing fair mechanisms.
ix.
The employing authorities would set pay policy for
staff. However, work would be needed regarding harmonisation of policies.
x.
The Transformation Challenge Award funding was a
government grant.
Councillor Herbert confirmed that the move to shared services would
present issues and challenges. The proposals would allow individual authorities
to retain sovereignty over decision making whilst minimising lead in time and
risks. Lessons would be learnt from existing best practice. Existing pay bargaining
arrangements would be honoured for TUPE’d (Transfer
of Undertakings [Protection of employment ])
staff.
The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.
Publication date: 08/09/2015
Date of decision: 13/07/2015