Issue - meetings
Commissioning Intentions for Grounds Maintenance
Meeting: 29/10/2013 - Cabinet (Item 10)
10 Establishment of a Subsidiary Company of Medway Norse for Grounds Maintenance 
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Minutes:
Background:
This report provided details of a proposal to set up a subsidiary company of Medway Norse. This would enable the Council to benefit from all of its spend on grounds maintenance services being in one place. The report also stated that this would provide opportunities for economies of scale and therefore savings from that spend and a sufficient base to compete for external contracts across the southeast creating income for the Council.
The proposed grounds maintenance services included: Greenspaces Corporate contract and Partnership arrangement (General grounds maintenance services and seasonal bedding); Bereavement services contract (General grounds maintenance services and grave digging); Highways (General grounds maintenance services including hedge and tree cutting and traffic management) and; Medway Norse (General grounds maintenance including golfing greens).
The report set out the governance arrangements for the subsidiary company which would include quarterly reporting to the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and six monthly reporting to Cabinet.
A Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) screening had been undertaken on the proposals as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. It was noted that it had not been necessary to proceed to a full impact assessment.
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Decision number: |
Decision: |
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175/2013 |
The Cabinetagreed to establish a subsidiary company that will be operational from 1 April 2014. |
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176/2013 |
The Cabinet agreed that the transfer should be for services described in paragraph 2.3 commencing 1 April 2014. |
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177/2013 |
The Cabinet agreed that regular reporting to Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet by the subsidiary joint venture company, as per the timetable for reporting in relation to Medway Norse, takes place. |
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178/2013 |
The Cabinet agreed that the Director for Regeneration, Community and Culture Services determine the joint venture company name, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, following a consultation with Members. |
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179/2013 |
The Cabinet agreed that the Grounds Maintenance Operational Liaison Board be constituted (to support the subsidiary company) to meet with the same frequency as the current Operational Liaison Board for Medway Norse. |
Reasons:
This arrangement will enable the council to better manage the spend on activities related to grounds maintenance and manage the quality of services that are delivered.
To allow the Council to take advantage of income opportunities and make efficient use of assets, workforce and knowledge.
Regular reporting will ensure transparency at all stages of the subsidiary joint venture company’s development and to ensure that its activities are in keeping with the Council’s priorities and operating model.