Resolved
(1) That the progress towards the implementation of the business case for a two way confederation approach as adopted by Council in February 2015 as the basis for the delivery of savings, increased resilience, business improvement and income generation in the medium term be noted.
(2) That it be agreed that, following discussions with Stratford on Avon DC (SDC), no further three way joint working proposals with SDC be developed as SDC have indicated they do not wish to pursue the confederation as their future operating model.
(3) That it be agreed that the existing three way shared services (Legal and ICT) be reviewed by officers to consider their suitability for continued three way working in light of the fact that SDC do not wish to pursue the confederation and to request that officers report to the Joint Commissioning Committee on proposed governance and operational delivery arrangements to ensure effective continuation of either or both of these shared service arrangements on a three way basis should such reviews conclude that this option is considered to be desirable.
(4) That, subject to the reviews referred to in resolution (3) recommending the suitability of the continuation of three way working for Legal and/or ICT, authority be delegated to the Joint Commissioning Committee to take any executive decisions on the future governance and operational delivery of the said teams to ensure the services are able to continue to meet the strategic objectives of South Northamptonshire Council, Cherwell District Council, and the confederation delivery model.
(5) That it be noted that SDC is willing to continue the operation of the three way transformation team until the secondment period finishes in March 2017 and Full Council be recommended to agree that the Transformation Team Section 113 agreement (between Cherwell, South Northants and Stratford on Avon) be extended to reflect this (subject to a similar decision being made by SDC).