Issue - meetings
Shared Legal Services with Gravesham
Meeting: 26/01/2017 - Council (Item 662)
662 Shared Legal Service Between Gravesham Borough Council and Medway Council 
PDF 2 MB
This report seeks approval for Medway Council to accept the delegation from Gravesham Borough Council of its Legal Services functions.
Minutes:
Discussion:
This report provided details of the proposals to establish a shared legal service between Gravesham Borough Council and Medway Council. It was noted that the proposals had been considered by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5 January 2017 and the Cabinet had made a number of decisions relating to the proposals on 17 January 2017, as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.
The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation, Councillor Chitty, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.
Decision:
The Council agreed to accept the delegation by Gravesham Borough Council of its Legal Services functions to Medway Council.
Meeting: 17/01/2017 - Cabinet (Item 8)
8 Shared Legal Service Between Gravesham Borough Council and Medway Council PDF 3 MB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Background:
This report provided details of proposals for Medway Council to assume responsibility for the discharge of Gravesham Borough Council’s Legal Services functions. This was permitted under the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 which provided for the Executive of one local authority to arrange for a function for which it was responsible to be discharged by the executive of another local authority.
The report stated that a project group had been established to implement the shared working arrangements, comprising officers from Legal Services, Finance, Human Resources and ICT.
A Business Case has been prepared by officers from Gravesham and Medway to provide further information regarding the work of the two separate Legal Services including current costs, staff transfers, potential savings and other benefits from establishing a shared Legal Service such as increased resilience and potential to provide Legal Services to external bodies and bring in an income for Medway Council.
Reports on the proposals had been submitted to Gravesham Borough Council’s Cabinet on 6 June 2016 and 9 January 2017.
The Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered this report on 5 January 2017 and its comments were set out in an addendum report.
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Decision number: |
Decision: |
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The Cabinet noted the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in the addendum report. |
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169/2017 |
The Cabinet recommended to the Leader of the Council that option two set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report be agreed whereby Medway Council shall assume responsibility for the discharge of Gravesham Borough Council’s Legal Services functions as permitted under the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 which provide for the executive of one local authority to arrange for a function for which it is responsible to be discharged by the Executive of another local authority. |
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170/2017 |
The Cabinet recommended to Full Council to accept the delegation by Gravesham Borough Council of its Legal Services functions to Medway Council. |
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171/2017 |
The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Legal Officer of Medway Council to enter into a legally binding contract between both local authorities setting out the detail of the arrangements for a fully shared Legal Services. |
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172/2017 |
The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to Medway’s Chief Legal Officer to assume responsibility for the management and delivery of legal services for Gravesham Borough Council jointly with the services provided for Medway Council and for this to be reflected in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. |
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173/2017 |
The Leader of the Council agreed to assume responsibility for the discharge of Gravesham Borough Council’s Legal Services functions as permitted under the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 which provide for the executive of one local authority to arrange for a function for which it is responsible to be discharged by the executive of another local authority. |
Reasons:
It is anticipated that option two will bring the following benefits:
· Cashable savings for both Authorities.
· Added resilience across ... view the full minutes text for item 8