Agenda item

This report presents the Business Case for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership; a draft structure, Tiers 1-3, for the integrated shared management arrangements for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership for the purpose of staff consultation; a draft Memorandum of Agreement for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to provide a framework for how the relationship between the Councils would be governed; and proposes the appointment/designation of the Head of Paid Service as well as the placing of the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer at the disposal of the other two councils. These three statutory roles will form part of the integrated shared management arrangements for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (report of the Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service which presented the Business Case for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership; a draft structure, Tiers 1-3, for the integrated shared management arrangements for the purpose of staff consultation; a draft Memorandum of Agreement for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to provide a framework for how the relationship between the Councils would be governed; and a proposal for the appointment/designation of the Head of Paid Service as well as the placing of the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer at the disposal of the other two councils. These three statutory roles would form part of the integrated shared management arrangements for the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The report was presented by the Strategic Advisor and he thanked all Members for their input into the development of the business case.

The Leader of the Council commented that this report was a culmination of 14 years of work and would result in the formation of the biggest Council partnership in the country. He extended his thanks to the two Deputy Leaders, Officers and Members at Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council, and to Nathan Elvery, for all their hard work in developing and inputting into the business case.

The Deputy Leader of the Council acknowledged the difficult journey and challenge ahead for the Partnership and extended his appreciation to all Members and Officers across all three councils.

The following points were raised:

• Members wanted reassurance that they would receive the same service from Officers once the Partnership was implemented.
  • The Leader of the Council was confident in the way the partnership was intended to work and assured Members that they would still have the same access to Officers as they currently did.

• Members suggested a six-month review  by the Joint Performance Monitoring Panel and Policy Development, to consider  how the partnership was working.
  • The Leader of the Council agreed that this was a good idea, but that Boston Borough Council’s and East Lindsey District Council’s scrutiny panels would not be required to undertake a review if they did not consider it to be necessary.

• Members were concerned that South Holland specific issues would be put aside to deal with partnership wide issues.
  • The Leader of the Council commented that more senior officer capacity would be available in the new shared management arrangements to focus on South Holland issues.

DECISION:

1. That the business case (at Appendix A) and entry into a South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership between Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council be approved.

2. That delegated authority be given to the Deputy s151 Officer,in consultation with the Leader, for the approval of the final terms, and for the signing and sealing of, the Memorandum of Agreement (draft at Appendix B) following due diligence.

3. That, subject to similar decisions to be taken by the other two Councils, Rob Barlow be appointed the Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Services of South Holland District Council, East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council from 3 August 2021. Rob shall remain formally employed by East Lindsey District Council and this Council agrees to him continuing to be placed at the disposal of this Council and at the disposal of Boston Borough Council under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972. Thereafter, East Lindsey District Council shall contribute 46% of the cost of Mr Barlow’s remuneration, Boston Borough Council  shall contribute 23% and South Holland District Council 31% of the same.

4. That, subject to similar decisions to be taken by the other two Councils, this Council agrees to Mark Stinson becoming the Joint Monitoring Officer of South Holland District Council, East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council from 3 August 2021. Mark shall remain formally employed by this Council and this Council agrees to him being placed at the disposal of East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972. Thereafter, East Lindsey District Council shall contribute 46% of the cost of Mr Stinson's remuneration, Boston Borough Council shall contribute 23% and South Holland District Council 31% of the same.

5. That, subject to similar decisions to be taken by the other two Councils, this Council agrees to Christine Marshall becoming the Joint Section 151 Officer of South Holland District Council, East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council from 3 August 2021. Christine shall remain formally employed by this Council and this Council agrees to her being placed at the disposal of East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972. Thereafter, East Lindsey District Council shall contribute 46% of the cost of Mrs Marshall's remuneration, Boston Borough Council shall contribute 23% and South Holland District Council 31% of the same.

6. That the Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service be authorised to commence consultation immediately on the proposed integrated shared management structure (included in Appendix A) and subject to there being no material changes to the senior management structure following consultation with officers, delegated authority be given to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Council Leaders to implement the said structure and associated appointments from within the existing senior staffing partnership cohort (Tiers 2 and 3).

7. That a Joint Chief Officer Appointment Panel and a Joint Appointment Appeals Committee be established, with terms of reference as agreed and set out in the Memorandum of Agreement, and that the Joint Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Constitution.

8.    That the Joint Performance Monitoring Panel (PMP) and Policy Development Panel (PDP) undertakes a review of the Partnership after 12 months and reports back to Council.