Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor  John Griffiths, Leader of the Shadow Council/Chairman, welcomed Members to the First Meeting of the West Suffolk Shadow Executive (Cabinet).

He gave thanks to officers, staff and councillors for reaching this historical point in the journey towards transitioning towards a single council for West Suffolk.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lance Stanbury and James Waters.

Report No: EXC/SA/18/001

Portfolio Holders: Ruth Bowman, J.P, FHDC Portfolio Holder for Future Governance and Carol Bull, SEBC Portfolio Holder for Future Governance

Lead Officers: Leah Mickleborough and Ben Smith

RESOLVED:

That the Central Implementation Team as outlined in paragraph 16 of Appendix A to Report No: EXC/SA/18/001, be agreed; and

RECOMMENDED to SHADOW COUNCIL (12 June 2018):

That the Implementation Plan attached at Appendix A to Report No: EXC/SA/18/001, be agreed.

(Report No: EXC/SA/18/001)

The Shadow Executive (Cabinet) considered the above report, which sought approval for the Implementation Plan for the Creation of a New Council for West Suffolk.

The Implementation Plan, attached as Appendix A to the report, outlined Forest Heath District Council’s (FHDC) and St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s (SEBC) functions and responsibilities during the transfer to the new single district-level council for West Suffolk.  It focused on the following areas:

(a)     the principles of implementation;

(b)     areas of decision making that the West Suffolk Shadow Council and West Suffolk Shadow Executive would be required to make; and

(c)     other key areas of implementation; and

(d)     programme governance.

Agreement was also sought for the Central Implementation Team, as outlined in paragraph 16 of Appendix A, whose role was to assist the Shadow Executive in delivering the Implementation Plan.

Councillors Ruth Bowman and Carol Bull, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Shadow Executive, including reiterating the five key principles outlined in the Plan which would enable the implementation of the transition to the new West Suffolk Council. 

Both Shadow Executive Members commended officers for the work undertaken to produce the Implementation Plan.  This view was supported by all Shadow Executive Members present who acknowledged that during its production, focus had been maintained on two core areas – ensuring that the requirements in the business plan were respected, and that residents, businesses and customers in the West Suffolk area would continue to receive the high level of public services they would expect  with minimum levels of disruption during the transition.

The FHDC/SEBC shared services partnership had been established for several years which had generated significant savings during that period and it was recognised that the creation of a single West Suffolk Council was about much more than the financial position. However, it was felt that clarification should be documented within the Implementation Plan regarding the annual and total amount of savings made during FHDC and SEBC’s shared services partnership.

This amendment would be made under officers’ existing delegated authority and highlighted to the Shadow Council when it considered the Shadow Executive’s recommendations on this item on 12 June 2018. 

RESOLVED:

That the Central Implementation Team as outlined in paragraph 16 of Appendix A to Report No: EXC/SA/18/001, be agreed; and

RECOMMENDED to SHADOW COUNCIL:

That the Implementation Plan attached at Appendix A to Report No: EXC/SA/18/001, be agreed.