Local Agreements with Local CouncilsA Template for Partnership

Steve Besford Foster 28th May 2010

www.cornwall.gov.uk

What are they?

• A guide to the way in which Cornwall Council and

a local Council will work together as partners.

• Not a rigid set of rules.

• Will allow for local circumstances and service

needs to be taken into account.

• Must have parts that apply universally across the

county for consistency and efficiency

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Issues Included

• Core principles• Communications and engagement• Equalities and Diversity• Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adult

safeguarding• Procurement• Active Partnering Milestones• Asset Transfer• Level of support• Training and Development• Community and Economic Development• Any other issues agreed locally

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Core Principles

• Listening to and taking account of community views and needs

• Recognising the different roles of Cornwall and Local Councils

• Working in partnership• Timeliness in communication• Compliance with legal requirements

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Communications

• Method • Timescales - shared standards

• Acknowledge letters and emails within three working days.

• Full response within ten days, unless there are special circumstances which will be explained in the acknowledgement.

• Provide regular updates on progress with the reply.• Answer 80% of phone calls within 20 seconds.• Respond to telephone messages within two working

days.

• ‘Endeavour’ to be available to the parish/town council clerk by phone or by e-mail.

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Communications

• Cornwall Council will provide:• Substantive replies properly dealing with the issues

raised.• Clear explanation of the reasoning behind any particular

response.

• Local Councils to ensure that all correspondence is:• clear in expression, • focused and relevant, • readily understandable and • phrased to avoid inappropriate language or personalised

references.

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Meetings and Attendance

• Parish Clusters wherever possible• One months notice• Distance not a determinant of attendance• Papers from local council 21 days in advance• Respect and politeness

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Consultations

• Six weeks notice.• Combined dispatches.• Advance notice of major public consultations.• Local councils to respond in accordance with

deadlines.• Recognition that hard copy reduces response

time.• Development Control consultation times shorter.

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Compliance

• Equalities and Diversity• Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults• Health and Safety

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Support

• Procurement• Extension of Cornwall Council’s procurement

arrangements to include local councils.• Local Councils agree to work within established ordering,

invoicing, monitoring and accounting procedures.

• Active Partnering Milestones• Asset Transfer• Level of Support• Training• Community and Economic Development

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• Any Questions?

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Cornwall CouncilCounty HallTruro TR1 3AY

Tel: 0300 1234 100www.cornwall.gov.uk