Agenda item

a)    School Swim Service – IAA Variation Notice

b)    Home to School Passenger Transport Disaggregation – Change to Timeline

c)    Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement Disaggregation – Change to Timeline

School Swim Service – IAA Variation Notice

The Committee considered a report from the Executive Director – Adults, Communities and Wellbeing (NNC) and the Assistant Director – Housing and Communities (WNC) which sought approval for the recommendation that the Councils cease the provision of the School Swimming Service

In introducing the report, the Assistant Director – Housing and Communities (NNC) outlined that the School Swimming Service was a traded service offered to schools and was not a statutory function for the local authorities, therefore it was the responsibility of individual schools to provide swimming services for its students.

Following a detailed disaggregation fact check, options appraisal and impact assessment, it had been identified that there was no longer a requirement for the Councils to deliver the service as schools could access swimming lessons directly through existing pool and leisure providers.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding how stakeholders would be consulted, the Assistant Director – Housing and Communities (NNC)  advised that the Councils would commit to ensuring that alternative service providers and schools be made aware of the changes to minimise future disruption.

The Assistant Director – Housing and Communities (NNC)  explained that the proposed change, if approved, would be effective from 31 December 2022, owing to there being insufficient time remaining in the current academic year for schools to make alternative provisions.

Resolved

(1)  That the recommendation that both Councils (NNC and WNC) are no longer providers of school swimming lessons with effect from 31 December 2022 be approved.  

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officers of both Councils to put into place a deed of variation to the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) for the service to exit the IAA.

(3)  That it be agreed that both WNC and NNC will act in accordance with Service Plans, Exit Plans, and any Collaborative Working Agreements agreed by both WNC and NNC service leads and approved by Monitoring Officers until such time as a formal Deed of variation has been completed.

Highways and Transport – Home to School Passenger Transport Disaggregation – Change to Timeline

The Assistant Director – Highways and Waste (WNC) submitted a report which sought the approval of the reprofiling of the hosted Place and Economy Service, Highways and Transport – Home to School Passenger Transport disaggregation timeline from September 2022 to the Autumn half-term 2022, in order to enable additional time to disaggregate the service in a safe and legal manner following the peak timeframe for service delivery and therefore reducing the potential disruption to the statutory service delivered by the Council.

Resolved

(1)  That the reprofiling of the timeline to disaggregate the Highways and Transport – Home to School Passenger Transport service be approved.

(2)  That the disaggregation blueprint be amended accordingly to reflect the new disaggregation timeline of Autumn half-term 2022 (end of October 2022).

Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement Disaggregation – Change to Timeline

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director – Assets and Environment (NNC) which sought approval for the reprofiling of the hosted Place and Economy service, Highways and Transport – Parking ad Bus Lane Enforcement disaggregation timeline from September 2022 to March 2023.

In presenting the report, the Assistant Director – Assets and Environment (NNC)  outlined that this reprofiling proposal had been put forward to enable sufficient time to disaggregate the service in a safe and legal manner due to the need for North Northamptonshire Council to procure key contracts and arrangements which underpin enforcement activity, therefore ensuring there is minimum disruption to the service delivered by the Council.

In response to questions from the committee regarding whether any additional costs would be incurred by North Northamptonshire Council as a result of the reprofiling of the disaggregation timeline, the Assistant Director – Assets and Environment (NNC) advised that there would be no additional costs incurred to either Council.

Resolved

(1)  That the reprofiling of the timeline to disaggregate the Highways and Transport – Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement service be approved.

(2)  That the disaggregation blueprint be amended accordingly to reflect the new disaggregation timeline of 31 March 2023.