Agenda item

To receive an update on the Co-operative Strategy 2013-15.  

The Head of Business Improvement and Partnerships stated that the Co-operative Strategy 2013-2015 had been discussed at the previous meeting of the Committee.   The strategy had been agreed at Cabinet in February 2013.  The note updated Members on developments since then and also set out a series of proposals for further work around the concept.  The strategy provided a framework for the Borough Council to develop, in conjunction with others, a Co-operative Council in Newcastle-under-Lyme.   This was one of the key priorities as set out in the current Council Plan.  The strategy incorporated five key concepts which were, encouraging collaborative working, enhancing citizen / customer experiences, engagement with others, establishing change and empowering stakeholders. 

The Head of Business Improvement and Partnerships stated that in addition to developing the Strategy, the values of the Council had also been amended to reflect the Co-operative Council approach.  The Council had also become part of the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network.  The network was made up of Councils who subscribed to the principle of co-operative working and delivery.  The network would be formally launched at the LGA Conference on the 3 July 2013.  A number of actions had also arisen from the LGA Peer Challenge process and from discussions at the previous meeting of the scrutiny committee.   These action points were contained in page seven of the report circulated with the agenda.  A report on the Co-operative strategy would be presented to Cabinet on 17 July 2013.

A Member stated that it was important to include the correct stakeholders in the consultation process.  In response the Head of Business and Improvement and Partnerships stated that a list could be provided in due course.

A Member stated that it was important to fully understand that LAPs were not political and he believed the issue of a Co-operative Council to be a political issue.  In response the Head of Business Improvement and Partnerships stated that as an Officer he was not putting the issue forward as a political one.  He didn’t believe the notion of a Co-operative Council to be political on its own, but understood that each LAP would have to form their own view.   A Member stated that it was important not to draw the LAPs into a political arena.      

A Member stated that the relationship with some of the Parish Councils and the LAPs needed to be improved, if they were to be working in partnership in the future. The Head of Business and Improvement and Partnerships cited the example of Audley Parish Council as having a positive working relationship with the LAP.  He hoped that this could be replicated with other Parish and Town Councils and the LAPs. 

A Member stated that some LAPs were forming their own constitutions and bank accounts.  The Head of Business Improvement and Partnerships confirmed that this was not a compulsory requirement but was an option which some were pursuing.  There was a discussion about the different relationships some of the local Parish Councils had with the LAPs. 

The Chairman requested that reports should be written jargon free and should be easily understandable by the public.