Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive seeking Members’ endorsement to continue the Council’s involvement with current significant partnerships.

Appendix 1 to the report detailed the Council’s current significant partnerships and provided detailed information regarding each.  It was noted that a review of the significant partnerships had been undertaken to ensure risks to MDC were identified and where necessary mitigated.  The review also sought to confirm partnership objectives were being achieved, the governance of each partnership was sound and that Council Officer time was being used effectively.

It was noted that the Council’s Internal Auditors had recently undertaken an audit of the Council’s approach to managing partnership and the level of assurance for both the design and operational effectiveness of the current process of moderate given.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the recommendations as set out in report be agreed.  This proposal was duly seconded.

At this point Councillor Mrs P A Channer disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business as she was the Local Authorities representative on the Police and Crime Panel, referred to in the report, and which gave some funding to the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

Councillor M S Heard disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business.  He queried the absence of the Police, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and Job Centre as strategic partners.  In response the Chief Executive advised that the Police was picked up through the CSP and the CAB should be included on the list and she would seek to get this amended.  In respect of the Job Centre it was noted that this was not classified as a significant partnership.

In response to a question regarding the Procurement Hub and use of local businesses, the Director of Resources advised that the Procurement Hub followed the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and there was an allowance to buy locally, but it was also important to comply with National and European requirements and retain value for money. 

RESOLVED

(i)              That the contents of the report be noted;

(ii)            That the Citizens Advice Bureau be added to the list of Strategic Partnerships;

(iii)          That Officers report back to the relevant Committee with further information on any of the significant partnership details in Appendix (as updated) to the report, as required.