Issue - meetings

This report sets out proposals for working with the London Borough of Lewisham to establish a shared service for ICT by April.

(i)         that approval be given to the establishment of a shared ICT Service with the London Borough of Lewisham by April 2016, with Brent acting as the host Authority for the service;

(ii)        that approval be given to the creation of a Joint Committee consisting of two elected members from each council to discharge certain of their ICT functions (as specified) jointly and to oversee the shared service; and notes that Brent will be represented on that committee by two members (or substitute members) of the cabinet appointed by the Leader;

(iii)       that approval be given to the creation of a Shared Management Board, accountable to the Joint Committee, to manage the service, with an appointed director from each Council amongst other key members of staff to be appointed from each Council; and that Brent will be represented on the board by the Operational Director for Strategic Commissioning (or suitable alternative);

(iv)       that Brent be the host council and agreement given to the proposed staffing arrangements set out in section 3.4 of this report;

(v)        that it be noted that Brent will manage ICT procurement for both councils and that the proposed shared service arrangements allow for contract awards with a value of less than £500,000 to be made;

(vi)       that approval be given to the terms and conditions set out in the Collaboration Agreement between Brent and Lewisham Councils and authorises the Chief Operating Officer to finalise the Agreement and agree any appropriate amendments to it in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer;

(vii)      that it be noted that any changes to the Council’s Constitution to reflect the proposed creation of a Joint Committee with the London Borough of Lewisham for the shared ICT service will be reported to Full Council for approval.

(viii)     that it be noted that Lewisham officers are presenting a report with similar recommendations to their Mayor & Cabinet meeting on the 11^th of November.

The Cabinet considered the report from the Chief Operating Officer which set out proposals for working with the London Borough of Lewisham to establish a shared service for ICT by April 2016. Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader) drew attention to the potential savings for the borough and the need to establish a joint committee.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the establishment of a shared ICT Service with the London Borough of Lewisham by April 2016, with Brent acting as the host Authority for the service;

(ii)        that approval be given to the creation of a Joint Committee consisting of two elected members from each council to discharge certain of their ICT functions (as specified) jointly and to oversee the shared service; noting that Brent would be represented on that committee by two members (or substitute members) of the Cabinet appointed by the Leader;

(iii)       that approval be given to the creation of a Shared Management Board, accountable to the Joint Committee, to manage the service, with an appointed director from each council amongst other key members of staff to be appointed from each council; and that Brent would be represented on the board by the Operational Director for Strategic Commissioning (or suitable alternative);

(iv)       that Brent be the host council and agreement given to the proposed staffing arrangements set out in section 3.4 of the report;

(v)        that it be noted that Brent would manage ICT procurement for both councils and that the proposed shared service arrangements allow for contract awards with a value of less than £500,000 to be made;

(vi)       that approval be given to the terms and conditions set out in the Collaboration Agreement between Brent and Lewisham Councils and the Chief Operating Officer be authorised to finalise the Agreement and agree any appropriate amendments to it in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer;

(vii)      that it be noted that any changes to the council’s Constitution to reflect the proposed creation of a Joint Committee with the London Borough of Lewisham for the shared ICT service would be reported to Full Council for approval;

(viii)     that it be noted that Lewisham officers would be presenting a report with similar recommendations to their Mayor and Cabinet meeting on the 11 of November.