Agenda item

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted - none.

Jane Doolan, Unison Branch Secretary, presented a letter on the proposals to the Executive, expressing members concerns about the future of the Shared Digital Service, the TUPE transfer and communication with staff that staff.  George Sharkey, GMB Branch Secretary, supported the comments made. 

Councillor Hull accepted that communication with staff should have been better and said that he would work with the Unions to ensure it is improved in future and to respond to their specific concerns.  Councillor Hull also stressed that the council will retain robust governance over the service. 

RESOLVED:

2.1         That it be noted that the following decisions will, in summary for all three Councils, achieve the following:

1. Transfer the ICT function of both Haringey and Islington to Camden including staff who will TUPE on 1 April 2018.

2. Transfer the decision making for the ICT functions for Haringey, Islington and Camden to either a new and reconstituted lean Joint Committee or via Camden’s usual delegation arrangement to the Executive Director Corporate Services to be undertaken by the Chief Digital and Information Officer.

3. Approve the underlying consultative management arrangements noting that these will develop as the service itself develops.

4. Delegate authority to allow the necessary further supporting documentation to be completed in support of the arrangements

2.2            That the options set out in the detailed ‘Shared Digital Governance Model Options’ report at Appendix 1 of the report prepared by Activist Group following extensive work since March 2017 with Councillors and senior officers be noted.

2.3            That the adoption of the governance model for Shared Digital set out as Option 1 (a ‘lean’ Joint Committee model in paragraphs 5.4 to 5.13 of this report and paragraphs 4.5 – 4.9 of Appendix 1 of this report) based on the outcomes framework at Table 2.4, paragraph 2.26 of Appendix 1 of this report with a commencement date of 1 April 2018 (throughout this report ‘the Commencement Date’ means 1 April 2018) be agreed.

2.4         That, pursuant to Regulations 9 and 11 of the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 (‘the Regulations’) the following be agreed effective from the Commencement Date of 1 April 2018:

(i)               those parts of Islington’s ICT service and function (including the procurement of ICT related services, equipment and software) specified in paragraphs 6 to 16 of the attached terms of reference set out at Appendix 4 of the report be jointly exercised with the London Boroughs of Islington, Haringey and Camden by a Joint Committee

(ii)              the current Joint Committee be reconstituted with the terms of reference at Appendix 4 of the report with effect from the Commencement Date

(iii)             the Joint Committee will consist of two elected Executive/ Cabinet Members from each Council, normally for an annual term, with the term and appointment to be decided by the Leader.

2.5         That, pursuant to Regulation 5 of the Regulations, those parts of the Executive function of Islington’s ICT not transferred to the Joint arrangements specified in paragraph 2.4(i) above and Appendix 4 of the report, be delegated to and discharged by the Executive of the London Borough of Camden as from the Commencement Date subject to the arrangements set out in paragraph 5.6 of the report be agreed.

2.6            That Camden be the host Council be agreed and the impact on the proposed staffing arrangements set out in section 3.15 of this report as a result of the decisions at paragraphs 2.3 to 2.5 above namely that Haringey and Islington ICT staff will transfer to Camden (as the host authority) under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) be noted and that as a result Camden will be responsible for employing staff engaged to deliver the Shared ICT service be agreed.

2.7         That the creation of a Shared Digital Management Board, accountable to the Shared Digital Joint Committee, to manage the service, with an appointed Director from each Council amongst other key members of staff to be appointed from each Council and the Chief Digital Information Officer (or suitable alternative) be agreed. That the terms of reference for the Shared Digital Management Board set out in Appendix 6 of the report be noted.

2.8         That due regard has been given to the equalities implications as summarised in paragraph 4.14 of the report be noted.

2.9         That the Cabinet of Camden are considering a recommendation to be the primary host authority in the Shared Service and to accept the delegation from Haringey and Islington be noted. The Cabinet of Haringey are also considering a recommendation to delegate to Camden (as the primary host authority in the Shared Service) the delivery of ICT services in like terms and that the recommendations set out in this report, if agreed, will only be implemented if the Camden Cabinet and Haringey Cabinet agree the equivalent and related recommendations that they are considering be noted.

2.10       That a memorandum of understanding will accompany the Inter-Authority Agreement and will set out the boroughs commitments to partnership working behaviours be noted.  That the shared ICT service success factors in Table 0.1 of Appendix 1 of the report be noted. That the Inter-Authority Agreement and memorandum of understanding will be in keeping with the intentions and agreements of this report and appendices be noted.

2.11       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Director of Law & Governance, to take all necessary steps to put arrangements for the new governance model into effect as set out in this report including but not limited to finalising the terms of the inter-authority agreement and any changes to it and for the operation of the 3 way Shared Digital service be agreed.

2.12       That, further to paragraph 2.4 (iii) above, Executive Member for Finance, Performance and Community Safety and the Executive Member for Environment & Transport be reappointed to the reconstituted Shared Digital Joint Committee from the commencement date of 1 April 2018 until the end of the 2017/18 Municipal Year be agreed.

Reason for decision – to strengthen governance and enable us to build an efficient, strong, robust and resilient Shared Digital service that will save money, improve the service and encouraging innovation.

Other options considered – none other than as specified in the report.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted - none.