Issue - meetings

That:

1)          an agreement be entered into with West Berkshire District Council for the provision of certain regulatory functions under s113 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as set out in the report), from 1 April 2022 until 8 January 2027; and

2)          the Director of Place and Growth and the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance and Housing, be delegated the agreement of the final terms with West Berkshire and completion of the agreement.

The Executive considered a report seeking approval to enter into an agreement with West Berkshire Council to provide a limited range of regulatory services to the Council, in parallel with the bulk of regulatory services that were due to be delivered in-house.

Whilst introducing the report the Executive Member for Neighbourhood and Communities clarified the services that would be provided by West Berkshire Council which included regional and national capability for trading standards, food standards, air quality and animal welfare.  In addition, West Berkshire’s regulatory proceeds of crime and enforcement case preparation to support these functions would be retained.

Councillor Soane went on to highlight the benefits of having the anti-social behaviour service, back in house.

Councillor Halsall clarified that all services would be brought back in house but that some services would then be sub-contracted back to West Berkshire Council, whilst the Council retained authority.   He went on to clarify that the measurement of air quality would be undertaken by West Berkshire Council but not the mitigation measures.

A cross party Task and Finish Group would look at policy issues for the different elements of legislation.

RESOLVED that:

1)          an agreement be entered into with West Berkshire District Council for the provision of certain regulatory functions under s113 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as set out in the report), from 1 April 2022 until 8 January 2027; and

2)          the Director of Place and Growth and the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance and Housing, be delegated the agreement of the final terms with West Berkshire and completion of the agreement.