Agenda item

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Purpose of report

This report presents the final business case for a Joint Property and Investment Service across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils (hereafter Cherwell or CDC and South Northamptonshire or SNC respectively).

The report recommends the formation of a two way Joint Property and Investment Service and in doing so seeks the Executive’s agreement for the non-staffing elements of the business case.

The proposal is part of the wider transformation programme across the two Councils.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To consider the attached final business case and the consultation responses in relation to non-staffing matters as outlined in section 5.1.

1.2         To note that the business case will be considered by the Joint Commissioning Committee with regard to staffing matters on 21 July 2016. This will include consideration of the consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

1.3         To approve and implement the proposed final business case to share a joint Property and Investment Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 11 July 2016 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee.

1.4         To delegate to the Head of Regeneration and Housing in consultation with the Leader of the Council any non-significant amendment that may be required to the business case following the decision by SNC Cabinet and/or the Joint Commissioning Committee.

1.5         To approve the allocation of £90,000 from general fund balances to cover 50% of the potential implementation costs.

Resolved

(1)          That the business case for a Joint Property and Investment Service with South Northamptonshire Council and the consultation responses in relation to non-staffing matters be noted.

(2)          That it be noted that the business case would be considered by the Joint Commissioning Committee with regard to staffing matters on 21 July 2016. This will include consideration of the consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

(3)          That the proposed final business case to share a joint Property and Investment Service between CDC and SNC be approved for implementation, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 11 July 2016 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration and Housing, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, any non-significant amendment that may be required to the business case following the decision by SNC Cabinet and/or the Joint Commissioning Committee.

(5)          That the allocation of £90,000 from general fund balances to cover 50% of the potential implementation costs be approved.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which presented the final business case for a Joint Property and Investment Service across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils and sought agreement for the non-staffing elements of the business case.

The proposal was part of the wider transformation programme across the two Councils.

Resolved

(1)          That the business case for a Joint Property and Investment Service with South Northamptonshire Council and the consultation responses in relation to non-staffing matters be noted.

(2)          That it be noted that the business case would be considered by the Joint Commissioning Committee with regard to staffing matters on 21 July 2016. This will include consideration of the consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

(3)          That the proposed final business case to share a joint Property and Investment Service between CDC and SNC be approved for implementation, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 11 July 2016 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration and Housing, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, any non-significant amendment that may be required to the business case following the decision by SNC Cabinet and/or the Joint Commissioning Committee.

(5)          That the allocation of £90,000 from general fund balances to cover 50% of the potential implementation costs be approved.

Reasons

The recommendation is to establish a Joint Property and Investment Servicebetween CDC and SNC. The business case sets out the rationale for establishing the joint service and investing in the service to transform the way both Councils manage their existing assets and to provide the expertise to identify new investment opportunities for Members to consider in order to address the medium term revenue gap.

Alternative options

Status quo (no change)

Retaining the status quo is not considered a viable option for either council. Both councils are under resourced to deliver change required to ensure that the councils make the most out their assets.

Alternative structure options

There is certainly scope to deliver the proposed joint property and investment service through an alternative delivery vehicle and this option would be explored further should the proposed service be established. However, it is recommended that the corporate property management model be implemented effectively prior to the consideration of an alternative delivery vehicle for the service. Opportunities for wider collaboration through an alternative delivery vehicle potentially aligned to the one public estate programme will also be considered in the future.

Three-way collaboration and shared service (with other partners)

Three-way collaboration with other partners is certainly an option to consider in the future. However, there are no other existing relationships at a sufficient stage to consider as part of a three-way shared service at this point. The process of developing such a relationship is likely to be lengthy and while this option should be considered again in the future, it should not be pursued at this time to the detriment of this project.

The approach in the recommendations is believed to be the best way forward. The proposal is to establish a joint property and investment service between CDC and SNC which will deliver significant improvements in existing asset performance.