To consider the sharing of the Chief Executive between Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council for an initial 6-month period. To consider the proposed terms of reference; terms and conditions, governance arrangements and timeline for that role in determining a business case for the ongoing sharing of a Chief Executive and further shared services.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

After a full discussion, a recorded vote was requested by Cllrs Aspinell, Naylor, Mrs Davies, Haigh, Kendall, Laplain and Mynott.

A recorded vote was taken in accordance with Procedure Rule 9.5 and

members voted as follows:

FOR: Cllrs Barber, Bridge, J Cloke, Mrs Gelderbloem, Heard, Mrs Hones, Hossack, Jakobsson, Nolan, Parker, Poppy, Mrs Pound, Reed, Russell, Miss Sanders, Tanner, Mrs Tierney, White and Wiles (19)

AGAINST: Cllrs Aspinell, Barrett, Dr Barrett, Cuthbert, Mrs Davies, Ms Fulcher, Haigh, Kendall, Laplain  Lewis, Mynott and Naylor (12)

ABSTAIN: (0)

(Cllr Mrs Wagland was present for part of this item, therefore she did not take part in the vote).

The Motion was CARRIED and it was RESOLVED to:

R1      Delegate to the Corporate Director of Law and Governance and Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Leader of the council, to engage with Rochford Council and enter into an agreement to establish a Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council for an initial 6 months period starting from the 1st August 2021.

R2      Delegate to the Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service and the Strategic Directors of each Council to undertake the creation of a feasibility study to explore further shared and partnership opportunities with Rochford District Council, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy (nominee) of each Council. A further report to be bought to both Council’s by the end of 2021. 

R3      Allocate a maximum of £20,000, from reserves, to assist in providing 50% of the additional resources required to undertake the feasibility study and provide additional programme resources. (Rochford District Council intends, subject to their Council agreement, to commit £20,000 of resources to undertake this work).

R4      That the Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to make any required changes to the Constitution resulting from the decision in R1.

R5      That any designated Head of Paid Service is the proper officer under s270(3) Local Government Act 1972.