Administration and Resources O&S Panel

Dear Panel Members.

I am in the process of writing a report on the = subject of our incremental outsourcing arrangements with Mouchel and why I think = Stephen Parker was right to warn us. I am appalled that we did not thank him for = his email of the 11^th October which included some very = challenging statements that should have sounded warning bells. I come from a = political background where I welcome an open debate and that discussion should = take place with mutual respect, something we are not showing our Chief Accountant. = I am also very concerned that after many requests for a redacted copy of his = email, I still have not received one. It all makes me very suspicious. =

My report will not centre on the dire straights that Mouchel are in, though of course it is a factor in our = debate.

It is interesting to look at the composition of our = panel. I have never in over 12 years as a Councillor had any input into either = the financial or the audit and governance aspect of the Council though I = make no secret of the fact that I have always thought mass outsourcing of = complete business units was a flawed concept. We are just nine Members with only = three who could possibly have been in agreement with the initial decision to = sign the contract in November 2010 (Cllrs Borthwick, Kelsey and Wakefield). However as you must all = be aware, as Members of this or any other scrutiny panel, our role is to each individually understand the issues and with no influence from our Party = come to a conclusion (this is in the Constitution). To this end training is very important, something recognised by Cllr Grower as chair of Audit and = Governance for his “new boys” of which I am = one.

It might seem strange but our individual = responsibility is greater than that of a Cabinet Member as they have the concept of = collective responsibility, we do not. The Cabinet Member for Resources might wish = to drive through a policy and his/her fellow Cabinet Members would support that = policy. We do not have that luxury. We each have to fully understand the issues = and, with no whip, come to a conclusion.

I agree with the Chairman, Mike Greene, that our = meetings should be brief as we should, each one of us, fully understood the = issues before the meeting, ask questions and consult officers. I have done just = that and will soon share these thoughts with = you.

Please note the links below, one from Rochdale dated = 20^th October and the second from Lincoln dated 23^rd November.

http://www.r= ochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/62270

http://www.thisislincol= nshire.co.uk/Council-contractors-Mouchel-hit-budget-cuts/story-13871227-d= etail/story.html

Best wishes, = Roger

Cllr Roger = West