Agenda item

To consider the attached report and recommendations of the Shared Services Joint Committee meeting on 14 September 2017.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley presented a report of the Chief Executive on proposals for changes to the Council’s Management Structure, including the expansion of shared services with South Ribble Council. The Chief Executive had provided a briefing for all Members on the proposals prior to the meeting.

The Public Services Transformation Working Group had been progressing work on developing shared services and the Joint Committee on 14 September 2017 had agreed proposals for shared management with the creation of the following shared posts:

There was an agreed ambition to develop a close working relationship between the two authorities with the ultimate aim of developing full shared services serving two independent and sovereign Councils. To progress this, a new shared services agreement would be developed and proposals for operating models for the shared functions would be considered by the Shared Services Joint Committee in December 2017.

There were consequential changes to the remaining Management Structure in Chorley and these were detailed in the report. Consultation had taken place with staff and the responses were summarised in the report. There was a small financial saving from the proposals which would contribute towards wider shared services target savings in the Medium Term Financial Strategy of £600,000 by 2019/20.

In debating the matter, Members discussed that the organisations were very different and there would be a learning process from both sides; there were risks and an exit strategy would be in place as part of the Shared Services Agreement; however there was real opportunity with the proposals which could bring major benefits and make both organisations more resilient in the future.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, seconded and it was RESOLVED -

1.         That the Council agrees the following joint ambition with South Ribble Borough Council - that we will work to develop a close working relationship, with an ultimate aim to develop full shared services serving two independent and sovereign councils.

2.         That the Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Leader and Members of the Shared Services Joint Committee, to finalise and agree a new shared services joint agreement.

3.         That the new management structure set out at paragraphs 16 to 19 of the report is approved for final consultation.

4.         That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Executive Leader to finalise the restructure and consequential changes following consultation.

5.         That the Council agrees to the appointments process for shared posts set out in the Shared Services Joint Committee report (Appendix A). For shared Chief Officers, a joint Member Panel is agreed, comprising the Executive Leader, Deputy Leader and Leader of the Opposition from each Council.

6.         That the Council receive a further report to approve plans for operating models for the newly shared functions following the Shared Services Joint Committee meeting planned for December 2017.

7.         That following agreement at the Shared Services Joint Committee on 14 September 2017, the Conservative and Labour Groups each nominate a substitute member for the Joint Committee.