Lead Member – Mrs Cecilia Motley – Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities.

Report of the Director of Commissioning is attached, marked 7.

Contact: George Candler 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

i)  That the proposed principles and partnership approaches described within the report be approved.

ii)  That the connections between the activity described in the report and the potential role of town and parish councils and the voluntary and community sector in the wider design and delivery of the council’s future Highways Maintenance and Operating Model be noted. 

iii)That authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities and the relevant Portfolio Holders (depending on the service under consideration) to take any further decisions relating to the delivery of these recommendations to a successful conclusion.

The Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities presented a report by the Director of Commissioning, seeking approval on the principles and approaches for the Council to use to engage and work with partners to try and secure a sustainable future for local services and community based assets.  It was intended that all solutions would be agreed on a locality basis wherever possible.  Discussions had already begun with the Shropshire Association of Local Councils and good working relationships already existed with Town and Parish Councils, the Voluntary and Community Sector and Business sector which would help in accelerating the work that was needed. 

In response to questions and comments the Leader reiterated that this was not a course of action the Council wished to take.  He had been heartened by the response from Parish and Town Councils and thanked them for their willingness to meet the challenge.  

RESOLVED:

i)  That the proposed principles and partnership approaches described within the report be approved.

ii)  That the connections between the activity described in the report and the potential role of town and parish councils and the voluntary and community sector in the wider design and delivery of the council’s future Highways Maintenance and Operating Model be noted. 

iii)That authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities and the relevant Portfolio Holders (depending on the service under consideration) to take any further decisions relating to the delivery of these recommendations to a successful conclusion.