Decision details

To:

(i)                    Consider a new governance framework for the Cotswold Water Park (CWP).

(ii)           Obtain the approval of the Cabinet Member for Waste, Property, Environment and Development Services, on behalf of Wiltshire Council, for the disbanding of the Cotswold Water Park Joint Committee (CWPJC) on 31 March 2012 and for new governance arrangements to be put in place.

In order to reflect the changes in the way that LAs are structured and local communities are now working, such as the localism agenda and more stringent financial constraints, as well as the presence of a more robust and community-focussed partnership organisation with enhanced governance (the CWPT) within the CWP, new governance arrangements are needed in the CWP to ensure:

(i)            More direct local community involvement.

(ii)           Improved accountability to the individual funding LAs and to the local community.

(iii)          Opportunities to reduce bureaucracy and increase accountability.

(iv)         More effective use of limited staff and financial resources.

Improved outcomes for the environment, the local economy and the local community.

To:

(i)        Do nothing -  Due to the changes within the structure of the Local Authorities (LAs) (Wiltshire County Council and North Wiltshire District Council have both been superceded by the unitary Wiltshire Council), the ways in which they are now working with local communities under the localism agenda and more stringent financial constraints, it is evident that new governance arrangements are required.

(ii)        Disband the CWPJC by Agreement of all Local Authority Partners

In order for new governance arrangements to be put in place, it will be necessary for the LAs to agree to disband the CWPJC.

Consultation has taken place through the mechanism of the Local Authorities’ Officer Liaison Group with the Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Swindon Borough Council as the organisations jointly responsible for the CWPJC.  Each authority has to make its own decision on this matter; all are understood to support the proposal to disband the CWPJC and to approve that new governance arrangements are put in place as outlined in the report.

The Local Members are also members of the CWPJC, and have been given the opportunity to make their views known through their Group Leaders. 

Discussions are ongoing with the parish councils within the CWP regarding a new liaison framework to replace the existing liaison through the CWPJC.

There is no requirement for public consultation.