Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest that they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 March 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item or urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

The Chairman reported that he had agreed to add one item of urgent business to the agenda, Draft ICT Staffing Structure. A decision was required before the next meeting of the Committee to enable the consultation to commence on 11 April 2016 (subject to JCC approval), in accordance with the proposed implementation timetable. As the item was restricted, it would be considered as the first item of business after the exclusion of the press and public.

The following item of business contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

1             Information relating to any individual

2             Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

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

4             Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

Members are reminded that whilst the following items have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Resolved

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

The Commercial Director (Bicester) submitted an exempt report which presented a draft staffing structure for the two way ICT Service across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils. It represented the first stage in the transition plan to bring ICT back into a two way service.

The Transformation Programme Manager updated the Committee on the comments of the Transformation Joint Working Group, which had considered the proposals at their meeting of 6 April 2016.

Members thanked officers for their hard work in drafting the proposals and noted that there had already been input from staff, which had been taken into consideration for the proposed structure.

Resolved

(1)          That, having considered the staffing structure for a Joint two way ICT Service, the proposals be endorsed as a basis for consultation with staff and trade unions.

(2)          That it be noted that the proposals contained within the draft staffing structure were draft and that a period of four weeks staff consultation be agreed to ensure there was time to effectively engage with current post holders and actively seek feedback.

(3)          That it be noted that at this stage the staffing structure aimed to bring stability to the service so the capacity and leadership can be put in place to deliver the improvements required and as such there would need to be a review of the final staffing structure after a period of operation to ensure it was delivering against business objectives and the longer term savings targets associated with harmonisation, which it was suggested take place before March 2017.

(Karen Curtin and Claire Taylor left the meeting at the conclusion of this item)

Exempt Report of Head of Finance and Procurement

The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted an exempt report which presented the draft business case for a Joint Revenues and Benefits Service across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils.

Resolved

(1)          That having considered the draft business case for a Joint Revenues and Benefits Service, it be endorsed as a basis for consultation with staff and trade unions.

(Paul Sutton left the meeting at the conclusion of this item)

** This report will be circulated under separate cover to members of the Joint Commissioning Committee only **

Exempt Report of Chief Executive

Berwick Partners submitted an exempt report which presented the outcome of the interviews of the candidates on the longlist for the post of Chief Finance Officer to enable the Committee to identify the candidates who would be on the shortlist.

Anna Jay presented the report of Berwick Partners on the outcome of the longlist interviews.

Having considered the report of Berwick Partners, based on their merit, Members agreed that the candidates set out in the exempt minute should proceed to the interview stage.

Members subsequently considered and endorsed the proposed technical assessment, presentation topic and questions for the interviews. 

Resolved

(1)          That the report from Berwick Partners on the outcome of the longlist interviews be noted.

(2)       That based on their merit, the candidates as set out in the exempt minute should proceed to the interview stage.