Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Development Management

Purpose of report

This report presents the final business case for joint working in Development Management across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils (hereafter Cherwell or CDC and South Northamptonshire or SNC respectively).

The report recommends the formation of a Joint Development Management Service and in doing so seeks the Executive’s agreement for the non-staffing elements of the business cases.

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 20 June 2017. This will include consideration of the consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

1.2         To approve the non-staffing aspects of the final business case to create a Joint Development Management Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 12 June 2017 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee.

1.3         To delegate to the Head of Development Management 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.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the final business case 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 20 June 2017 and that this would include consideration of the consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

(3)          That the non-staffing aspects of the final business case to create a Joint Development Management Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 12 June 2017 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee, be approved for implementation.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Development Management 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.

The Head of Development Management submitted a report which presented the final business case for joint working in Development Management across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils. The report recommended the formation of a Joint Development Management Service and in doing so sought the Executive’s agreement for the non-staffing elements of the business cases. The proposal was part of the wider transformation programme across the two Councils.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the final business case 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 20 June 2017 and that this would include consideration of the consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

(3)          That the non-staffing aspects of the final business case to create a Joint Development Management Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 12 June 2017 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee, be approved for implementation.

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

Reasons

The business case sets out the rationale for establishing the Joint Development Management Service across CDC and SNC.

Alternative options

Status Quo (No Change)

Retaining the status quo is an option; however this would not deliver the benefits set out in this business case or provide the additional resilience and shared expertise that a joint team could provide at a time of planning reform and following Brexit pressure to support additional growth.

Alternative Joint Staffing Structures

A number of alternative joint staffing structures have been considered, however the proposal set out in the business case is believed to be the most appropriate in terms of maximising the benefits of joint working and delivering savings, whilst maintaining performance.

Outsource Service

Outsourcing is a potential option, and it is understood that companies such as Capita do offer an outsourced service for Development Management. However, given that the majority of duties carried out by the Development Management team are statutory responsibilities, it is not considered appropriate to outsource the service, as it could compromise the planning role of each District Council.