Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Matthew Tomlinson.

Resolved (For: 8 Abstain: 1)

That the minutes of the meeting of the Shared Services Joint Committee held on Monday, 24 July 2023 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No interests were received.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

Resolved: (unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Chris Sinnott, Chief Executive presented the confidential report which set out the proposals for a shared building control service.

On 24 July, the Shared Services Joint Committee agreed to commence a review into a shared building control service to help ensure resilience for both councils given the technical and specialist skills required in building control. The objectives of the review were set out in the report.

A pre-consultation period was carried out through workshops with the building control functions to gain feedback around the current challenges for the teams and opportunities for a shared service. This feedback had been incorporated into the report and the proposals. The Committee considered the proposals and the two options presented for the service structure.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Shared Services Joint Committee considered the proposals and recommended the Shared Service Structure Option 1 for approval by Executive Member Decision as a basis for formal consultation.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive for noting.

It had been agreed by the Chair that this item be considered under Any Other Business. Chris Sinnott, Chief Executive presented the confidential report which reviewed and considered the proposals to appoint a Development and Programme Management Consultant to support the delivery of major projects across both Councils.

The Committee proposed that a joint training session be arranged for both councils to upskill Members on the procurement process.

Resolved (unanimously):

To note the planned approach to be taken subject to respective council decision making as part of the shared service in Property and Development.