Lead Member: Councillor Dawn Husemann, Chair of the Partnership Working Task & Finish Group

Lead Officer: Claire Braddock, Scrutiny Officer

RESOLVED:

That the verbal update from the Partnership Working Task and Finish Group be noted and that Cabinet look forward to receiving the final report.

The Chair of the Partnership Working Task and Finish Group provided a verbal update on engagement with town and parish councils regarding the devolution of street scene services. Feedback from workshops highlighted the need for early and meaningful engagement, clearer communication, improved data transparency, respectful officer behaviours and flexibility to reflect local capacity.

Concerns were raised about consultation occurring after decisions had effectively been made, inconsistencies in information provided, and a lack of trust where engagement was perceived as transactional or dismissive.

The Task and Finish Group concluded that successful devolution would depend not only on process but on confidence, partnership working and co?design. Key issues identified included variability in local capacity, the need for a shared data audit, clarity on what services would be devolved, and the importance of avoiding a one?size?fits?all approach. Specific issues raised during the Oswestry workshop included transport connectivity, digital infrastructure, street scene data accuracy and the resource implications for hub councils.

Recommendations to Cabinet included committing to early engagement before preferred models are fixed, setting clear expectations for officer engagement, improving transparency and accessibility of information, establishing a single point of contact for town and parish councils, tailoring arrangements to local circumstances, and undertaking a review of pilot arrangements following implementation.

Members welcomed the report and thanked the Task and Finish Group for its work. Members acknowledged the importance of partnership, culture change and learning from pilot schemes. It was noted that further information and formal reporting would return to scrutiny, and that expressions of interest for future participation would be invited as part of the next phase.

RESOLVED:

That the verbal update from the Partnership Working Task and Finish Group be noted and that Cabinet look forward to receiving the final report.