Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13th February 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13th February 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director (People) on the Shared Services Business Plan 2020/21.

Executive Councillor: D Keane.

The Cabinet has approved the Business Plans for Legal, ICT and Building Control as outlined in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 and has authorised the Shared Services Management Board to approve final amendments to the Business Plans in line with comments received from all three partner Councils.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Corporate Director (People) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking endorsement of the Shared Services Business Plans 2020/21. Alongside the report were the Business Plans for Legal and ICT (copies of which are also appended in the Minute Book) and Building Control (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book).

Attention was drawn to the current challenges faced by the Council in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the positive impact Council Anywhere was having upon building resilience within the organisation. Additionally, Members were informed that attracting and retaining technical resource across all 3C areas remained a challenge.

Following a brief discussion on 3C Legal Services and in noting the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) , it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Business Plans for each of the Shared Services attached as an Appendix to the report now submitted be approved; and

(b)  that the Shared Services Management Board be authorised to approve final amendments to the Business Plans in line with comments received from all three partner Councils.

To resolve:

  that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

that that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To receive a report from the Operational Manager (People) on the Awarding of Contracts for Public Advice Services and Infrastructure and Support to the Voluntary Sector Services.

Executive Councillor: K Prentice.

The Cabinet has approved the appointment of Citizens Advice Rural Cambridgeshire to provide Public Advice Services from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2023 at a cost of £347,100 over three years - £115,700 per annum.

The Cabinet has also approved the appointment of Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations to provide Voluntary Sector Infrastructure and Support Services from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2023 at a cost of £186,900 over three years - £62,300 per annum.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Operational Manager (People) (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) the Cabinet were presented with the results of the competitive tendering exercise on two commissioned services; namely the provision of a Public Advice Service and the provision of Infrastructure and Support to the Voluntary Sector.

Having received assurances that mechanisms were in place to ensure that services were being offered to Huntingdonshire residents, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that  Citizens Advice Rural Cambridgeshire be appointed to provide Public Advice Services from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2023 at a cost of £347,100 over three years - £115,700 per annum; and

(b)  that Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations be appointed to provide Voluntary Sector Infrastructure and Support Services from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2023 at a cost of £186,900 over three years - £62,300 per annum.