Agenda item

The Head of Business Improvement and Partnerships presented a report on the Co-operative Strategy 2013-2015.  The strategy set out the details around the aim of the Council to become a Co-operative Council, which was also reflected as a key priority within the Council Plan.  The strategy brought together a number of areas of existing work and reflected a range of legislative and policy changes and the development of the Big Society Concept by the current Coalition Government Nationally. It was, envisaged that further consultation would take place with partners and other stakeholders and an updated strategy would be presented to Cabinet after the summer.  A Member argued that it needed to make clear as to how the development of Co-operative Council would make things better in the Borough. 

A Member stated that it was important to understand in detail the voluntary resources available in the Borough to a high level of detail.  He commented that the Local Area Partnerships needed to have more of a skill base and that the Council should make a recommendation to the LAP Chairs.  He added that it was important to ensure that the utilisation of resources was correct and that the correct level of staffing resources was allocated for each role with the appropriate skill set to deliver any action plan or changes from the strategy.   Careful risk assessments should also be carried out. 

A Member argued some Local Area Partnerships were stronger than others.  He suggested that the Chairs of the LAPs should be invited for half a day to encourage collaborative working with the Council.  This would enhance the understanding of how the Council was evolving and improving.  He added that there would be benefit in the Parish Councils attending. 

A Member stated that NBC should engage with the CVS and see what was happening in different sectors in the Borough, including the voluntary and community sectors.  A Member commented that the document set out the framework for the development of the Co-operative Council and that details of action would be added later in the process. 

In response to the points raised the Head of Business Improvement and Partnerships stated that the points were pertinent, but the strategy was currently only in draft and could be developed further as more was known.  Appropriate actions would have to be developed and implemented and he agreed it was important to carry out risk assessments.  It was a challenge to develop communities to take on more from the Council and other partners.  The LAPs needed to develop further and it was important to maximise resources.  Whilst he believed in the notion of partnership working, it needed to be effective and deliver positive outcomes. 

RESOLVED:

A) That the Committee notes the contents of the strategy.

B) That the amendments and suggestions suggested by the Scrutiny Committee, as detailed in the minutes, are recommended to be incorporated into the strategy.

C) That the Local Area Partnership Chairs’ and Parish Councils’ be invited to a meeting with the Council.