Decisions

To agree in principle, subject to agreement by Council, to give South Northamptonshire Council notice of the intention to end the Section 113 agreement. Furthermore, and  subject to agreement by Council, to develop joint working arrangements with Oxfordshire County Council and to the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post.

Reason for urgency: The matter arose after publication of the work programme giving 28 days' notice. On 4 June 2018 the Cabinet of Oxfordshire County Council agreed to formally approach Cherwell District Council to develop joint working arrangements and to the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post. The formal approach was received immediately prior to the 4 June 2018 meeting of Executive and due to the need to respond to the County Council the Chairman and proper officer have agreed that this should be considered as urgent business.

The report is key due to the expenditure and lasting impact across two or more wards and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been notified accordingly and agrees to the urgent item of business.

The Director of Customers and Service Development and Assistant Director: Law and Governance submitted an urgent report for Executive to agree in principle, subject to agreement by Council, to give South Northamptonshire Council notice of the intention to end the Section 113 agreement. Furthermore, and  subject to agreement by Council, to develop joint working arrangements with Oxfordshire County Council and to the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post.

In introducing the report, the Chairman explained that the proposed joint working partnership was not connected to, and would not deliver, unitary reorganisation proposals. It would offer an innovative opportunity to make two tier local government more effective. 

Resolved

(1)          That, subject to agreement by Council, it be agreed in principle, to give South Northamptonshire Council notice of the intention to end the Section 113 agreement.

(2)          That, subject to agreement by Council, it be agreed in principle to develop joint working arrangements with Oxfordshire County Council and the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post.

(3)          That, subject to agreement by Council, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader, the finalisation of a s113 Agreement including joint committees to allow for implementation as business cases are agreed for each element of joint working.

(4)               That the establishment of an informal Partnership Working Group to oversee the development of joint working be agreed.

Reasons

Following a review of the strategic case, potential financial and operational benefits; this report recommends Cherwell District Council enters into a joint working partnership with Oxfordshire County Council. This follows the necessary decision to separate from SNC as the moves to establish new unitary arrangements for Northamptonshire will inevitably unpick the joint service delivery arrangements between CDC and SNC.

The report sets out the strategic case, draft principles for joint working, potential financial advantages as well as identifying opportunities for innovative practice in terms of two tier working.

The report clearly recommends an incremental approach; with the establishment of a joint Chief Executive as a first step and then the consideration of further opportunities on a business case by business case approach. The report notes that the models for joint / shared chief executives are an established delivery model for both county and district roles.

The model proposed has been adopted in other counties and CDC has experience of a successful joint working partnership with SNC. With the use of formal joint committees and informal member working groups covered by a section 113 agreement the sovereignty of both councils is maintained. Indeed the draft section 113 agreement will set out a clear path for exit at pace if either partner wishes.

Cherwell District Council will need to review its medium term financial strategy in the light of the necessary separation from South Northamptonshire Council. If CDC wished to stand alone it would need to deliver significant savings, increase income and/or reduce services to deliver a balanced budget. A joint working partnership offers long term financial benefits and the potential to protect and enhance frontline services valued by local residents and customers.

Alternative options

Alternative options have been considered, the following factors: contribution to CDC continuity; contribute to financial sustainability; alignment of business model; culture match; political alignment; demographic match; geographic match; flexibility; growth agenda; control of pace; and, leverage, were reviewed as part of the development of this proposal. Options (including Oxfordshire Districts and out of county partners) were considered and discounted either because they failed to meet the criteria detailed above or because the risk of out of county working at the current time was considered too high.

Following the decision of Executive, at the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Ian McCord, Leader of South Northamptonshire Council, address the meeting.

Councillor McCord commented that he understood and accepted the decision taken by the Executive. He was sad and disappointed that the successful shared working arrangements between the two authorities was being forced to come to an end as a result of the Best Value Report on Northamptonshire County Council which was forcing South Northamptonshire Council into unitary arrangements with other councils in Northamptonshire. Councillor McCord paid tribute to Councillor Wood and other members who had supported the shared working arrangements and wish Cherwell District Council all the best in the future.   

Resolved

(1)          That the monthly Performance, Finance and Risk Monitoring Report.

Resolved

(1)          That, subject to agreement by Council, it be agreed in principle, to give South Northamptonshire Council notice of the intention to end the Section 113 agreement.

(2)          That, subject to agreement by Council, it be agreed in principle to develop joint working arrangements with Oxfordshire County Council and the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post.

(3)          That, subject to agreement by Council, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader, the finalisation of a s113 Agreement including joint committees to allow for implementation as business cases are agreed for each element of joint working.

(4)          That the establishment of an informal Partnership Working Group to oversee the development of joint working be agreed.

To consider the 2017/18 year end Performance, Finance and Risk report and the monthly report for 2018/19

Resolved

(1)          That the outline revenue and capital position for 2017/18 be noted.

(2)          That the performance position at the end of the year 2017/18 be noted.

(3)          That it be noted that the risk register was now reviewed and updated on a monthly basis.

To consider the Local Discretionary Rate Relief Policy 2018-2019

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)          That the adoption of the local Discretionary Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2018-2019 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

To consider the NIC Central Area establishment of Growth Board

Resolved

(1)          That within the context of the National Infrastructure Commission and Government’s work on the Cambridge - Milton Keynes - Oxford corridor, it be agreed that Cherwell District Council becomes a full member of the Central Area Growth Board, adopting the Terms of Reference (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)          That it be agreed that the Council commits to an associated contribution of £5k of ongoing revenue to support the work of the Growth Board.

To appoint representatives to Partnerships, Outside Bodies, internal Working Groups and Member Champions for the municipal year 2018/19.

Resolved

(1)          That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director: Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader, to make make and cease appointments and make changes to appointments as may be required for the 2018/2019 Municipal Year. 

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)          That minor changes to the RBV policy for 2018-2019 be approved

Resolved

(1)          That the response relating to management assurances from Those Charged with Governance be approved.

Resolved

(1)       That, having given After due consideration the draft Statement of Accounts 2017/18 be noted.

(2)       That, having given due consideration, the Annual Governance Statement 2017/18 be endorsed.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the External Audit Plan for 2017/18 be noted.

(2)          That the verbal update on progress from our External Auditors, Ernst & Young (EY) be noted.

Resolved

(1)             That the contents of the letter setting out the indicative annual audit fees for 2018/19 from the Councils External Auditors, Ernst & Young (EY) be noted.

Resolved

(1)             That the contents of the letter setting out the key issues arising from the audit work undertaken by the Councils External Auditors, Ernst & Young (EY) be noted.

Resolved

(1)             That, having given due consideration, the contents of the 2018/19 annual internal audit plan from CW Audit Services be considered and approved.

Resolved

(1)             That the contents of the 2017/18 annual report from CW Audit Services be noted.