Decision details

This report provides members with an update on the work that has been undertaken between Fareham and Gosport Council`s in the development of an Environmental Health Partnership and to make recommendations for the formation of a formal partnership where Fareham would be the employing authority of all the staff involved.

At the meeting of the Executive on 10 January 2011 and 4 April 2011 members requested that officers investigate the feasibility of a shared Environmental Health Partnership with Gosport Borough Council. This approach builds on the existing successful partnership working that already exists between the two councils reflected in the very successful Fareham and Gosport Building Control Partnership as well as the Fareham and Gosport CCTV Partnership. Both of these partnerships deliver efficiencies and savings to both councils in the way the service is operated and delivered.

Following the meeting on 4 April 2011 a formal agreement was made with Gosport Borough Council for a shared Head of Environmental Health and both Councils delegated powers to the other to undertake environmental health functions within their respective administrative areas.

Since the Executive meeting Fareham`s Head of Environmental Health has been undertaking the role of the shared Head of Environmental Health where each Council meets half the costs. During this time work has been undertaken to identify opportunities to bring the services closer together with the objective of establishing an Environmental Health Partnership to deliver an environmental health service across both boroughs with the benefits that are highlighted in this report.

RESOLVED that the Executive, subject to a favourable decision by Gosport Borough Council, agrees to:

a)        enter into an agreement with Gosport Borough Council for the delivery of environmental health functions as set out in this report;

b)        agree to the transfer of Gosport’s environmental health staff to Fareham under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations;

c)         deliver the environmental health function to both Councils through the Fareham and Gosport Environmental Health Partnership; and

d)        delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer after consultation with the Executive Leader to enter into such agreements and undertake all ancillary matters as necessary and on such terms as are reasonable.