The Council needed to ensure that any partnerships that it was involved in were both efficient, effective and that they could deliver value for money for the residents.  A large amount of public money was invested in partnerships and therefore partnerships should be actioned and the outcome focussed, whilst encouraging innovative solutions for change.  Partnerships should also be monitored regularly to ensure any underperforming partnerships were highlighted and any appropriate action was taken. 

The revised and updated Partnerships Policy  and Procedures would provide a framework for procedures for staff that would provide a consistent approach across the Council.  This would ensure that any partnerships not only supported the Council’s priorities, but also strengthened the accountability amongst partners, minimise the risk to the Council and rationalise the Council’s partnership working arrangements.     

Cllr Tumbridge – I had the benefit of asking some questions away from the meeting and requested the response to be minuted:  I believe that the bullet points at the bottom of page 41 de facto constitute the tests which officers will use to distinguish between the types of partnership that might be dealt with.  One part being dealt with officers in the absence of members involvement and the others with; I think that was one part it is good  to have clear and make a suggestion that in due course officers through their delegated authority might consider a small adjustment to the draft partnership checklist that begins on page 46 to tell people where those bullet points are so that everyone is very clear on what officers are dealing with in the absence of members.     

Cllr Mrs McKinlay MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED the recommendation in the report and it was RESOLVED that:

Members agreed to the revised Partnership Policy and Procedures as appended to the report. 

Reason for recommendation

The Internal Audit review of the partnership working recommended strengthening the partnership arrangements.  The Policy and Procedures had been revised to ensure that the council was only involved in partnership working which supported one or more of the Council’s priorities to deliver the outcomes that would support Brentwood Borough residents and businesses.