Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of Report

To delegate authority to formally accept the offer of government funding under the Transformation Challenge Award, agree the accountable body arrangements, delegate the necessary authority to enable draw down and utilisation of the funding and establish a Joint Working Group of elected members.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to accept the offer of funding as set out in Appendix 2, subject to the detailed Terms and Conditions of the Grant.

1.2         To agree that, subject to the agreement of Stratford-on-Avon district council (decision due 2 December 2013) and following the agreement of South Northamptonshire Council (given on 14 October 2013) Cherwell District Council, be accountable body for the Transformation Challenge Award funding.

1.3         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive (Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils) in consultation with the Chief Executive (Stratford-on-Avon District Council), the Director of Resources (Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils) and the Assistant Chief Executive (Stratford-on-Avon District Council) to:

(i)  secure the formal draw down of the grant funding from Department of Communities and Local Government and

(ii)allocate the funding for appropriate purposes in pursuance of the submitted bid (Appendix1) and consistent with the grant conditions.

1.4         To appoint 2 Councillors and 2 substitutes to the Transformation Joint Working Group.

1.5         To agree that the Terms of Reference of the Transformation Joint Working Group be considered at its first meeting and then recommended to Executive/ Cabinet for approval.

Resolved

(1)          That authority be delegated To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to accept the offer of funding, subject to the detailed Terms and Conditions of the Grant.

(2)          That it be agreed that following the agreement of Stratford-on-Avon district council (given on 2 December 2013) and South Northamptonshire Council (given on 14 October 2013) Cherwell District Council, be the accountable body for the Transformation Challenge Award funding.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive (Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils) in consultation with the Chief Executive (Stratford-on-Avon District Council), the Director of Resources (Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils) and the Assistant Chief Executive (Stratford-on-Avon District Council) to:

(i)            secure the formal draw down of the grant funding from Department of Communities and Local Government and

(ii)          allocate the funding for appropriate purposes in pursuance of the submitted bid and consistent with the grant conditions.

(4)          That agreement be given to appoint 2 Councillors and 2 substitutes to the Transformation Joint Working Group.

(5)          That it be agreed that the Terms of Reference of the Transformation Joint Working Group be considered at its first meeting and then recommended to Executive for approval.

The Chief Executive submitted a report which sought delegated authority to formally accept the offer of government funding under the Transformation Challenge Award, agree the accountable body arrangements, delegate the necessary authority to enable draw down and utilisation of the funding and establish a Joint Working Group of elected members.

Resolved

(1)          That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to accept the offer of funding, subject to the detailed Terms and Conditions of the Grant.

(2)          That it be agreed that following the agreement of Stratford-on-Avon district council (given on 2 December 2013) and South Northamptonshire Council (given on 14 October 2013) Cherwell District Council, be the accountable body for the Transformation Challenge Award funding.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive (Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils) in consultation with the Chief Executive (Stratford-on-Avon District Council), the Director of Resources (Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils) and the Assistant Chief Executive (Stratford-on-Avon District Council) to:

(i)            secure the formal draw down of the grant funding from Department of Communities and Local Government and

(ii)          allocate the funding for appropriate purposes in pursuance of the submitted bid and consistent with the grant conditions.

(4)          That agreement be given to appoint 2 Councillors and 2 substitutes to the Transformation Joint Working Group.

(5)          That it be agreed that the Terms of Reference of the Transformation Joint Working Group be considered at its first meeting and then recommended to Executive for approval.

Reasons

Given the unique opportunity provided by the Transformation Challenge Award and the need to ensure that appropriate governance arrangements are in place, it is recommended that Executive support the recommendations as set out in the report.

Options Available

Option 1: To agree the recommendations and accept the funding. This option is perceived to be in the best interests of the Council.

Option 2: Not to accept to the funding. This would not be in the interests of the council, will prohibit the achievement of savings and carries reputational risks for the council.

** Please note that this report will follow as information still awaited from the Government department in relation to terms and conditions of the bid **

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of Report

To formally accept the offer of government funding under the Transformation Challenge Award and agree the accountable body arrangements.

Recommendations

To be confirmed once terms and conditions of the bid offer have been received from the Department for Communities and Local Government

Item deferred as information still awaited from the Government department in relation to terms and conditions of the grant award.

The Chairman reported that consideration of this item was deferred as information was still awaited from the Government department in relation to the terms and conditions of the grant award.