The report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer is attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer which provided an overview of the Register of Significant Partnerships in 2020. The report outlined the review and assurance process which had been conducted as part of the annual review. The report focused on the following key areas:

·         Any new partnerships which have been added to the Register

·         entries recommended for removal

·         where the governance strength rating has changed following the introduction of the new four level ratings system

·         any partnerships now classed as ‘Reasonable’ or ‘Limited’ strength following completion of the latest self-assessment.

The report stated that no new entries had been proposed for 2020; three however were proposed for removal due to either inactivity or in the process of being closed.

Members noted that the majority of partnership were ranked as ‘substantial’ or ‘reasonable and welcomed this.  There was a discussion  about the ratings for health and social care partnerships which were determined as ‘reasonable’.  A Member stressed the importance of ensuring that despite the reasonable rating, such partnerships were kept at the forefront of audit and monitoring activity due to the nature of their work. Officers acknowledged this and confirmed that these would form part of internal audit actions to provide continued assurance  to members and health colleagues.

A Member sought more information about the potential insolvency of National Car Parks Manchester Limited and suggested that the partnership should not be removed from the Register until work around consolidation of the account had been finalised. The Head of PMO: Commercial Governance & Directorate Support agreed to circulate additional information on financial aspects outside of the meeting and assured the Committee there were no potential implications for the Council. Officers agreed to keep the item on the Register until all had been finalised.

There was a discussion about the proposed removal of Northwards from the Register. A Member suggested that this partnership should not be removed until all aspects, including the transfer of staff and assurances around service provision for tenants had been finalised. Officers agreed to this.

A Member expressed surprise that no new partnerships being added for the year. The Head of PMO: Commercial Governance & Directorate Support confirmed that nothing had been brought forward for inclusion by the Senior Management Team. However, she also said that there was potential for some further partnerships to be added in a 6 month review. She added that under usual circumstances the review focussed on reasonable or limited partnerships, but this could be extended to include new partnerships as well as updates on those proposed for removal.

There was a discussion about the Manchester International Festival and The Factory and whether this could become a future partnership.  Officers acknowledged the interdependencies and the overarching governance arrangements which  encompassed both entities.  They agreed to bring provide a comprehensive update  to the Committee in November 2021.

Noting that a number of recommendations had been made by the Committee in today’s meeting, a Member suggested the introduction of a monitor that sits alongside the Committees Work Programme to track the progress /implementation of it decisions.  The Head of Audit and Risk Management agreed to collaborate with the Committee Officer to progress this.

Decisions

1.    To note the report

2.    To agree to the development of a decisions monitor that sits alongside the committee’s work programme to track the progress of decisions made and their associated outcomes.