© Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Service Localisation Briefing on Services

Background At the Town Council meeting held on 23 April 2012 it was resolved to open dialogue with East Herts District Council and Hertfordshire County Council, for the purpose of the Town Council actively considering (subject to funding) taking control of the following services within Bishop’s Stortford : At the Town Council meeting held on 23 April 2012 it was resolved to open dialogue with East Herts District Council and Hertfordshire County Council, for the purpose of the Town Council actively considering (subject to funding) taking control of the following services within Bishop’s Stortford : Public Conveniences Public Conveniences Street Cleansing & Litter Control Street Cleansing & Litter Control Market – Bishop’s Stortford Market – Bishop’s Stortford Economic Development Economic Development Tourism Tourism Parks & Open Spaces Parks & Open Spaces Playgrounds Playgrounds Community Centres Community Centres Fly Posting (Localised) Fly Posting (Localised) Library (Not considered at this stage) Library (Not considered at this stage) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Summary of Recommendations & Possible Levers ServiceRecommendation Public ConveniencesPractical candidate for Localization. BSTC to resolve principle. If yes then pursue. Street Cleansing & Litter ControlNot currently practical to Localize. No further action at current time. Market (Bishop’s Stortford)Practical candidate for Localization. BSTC to resolve principle based on break even. If yes then pursue. Economic DevelopmentPractical candidate for Localization. BSTC to resolve principle. If yes then pursue. TourismTo be decided. Parks & Open SpacesNot currently practical to Localize. No further action at current time. PlaygroundsPractical candidate for Localization. BSTC to resolve principle. If yes then pursue. Community CentresControl already localized BSTC to resolve principle of asset transfer. If yes then pursue. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Service Analysis © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Notes Budget information from East Herts District Council Divisional Budgets 2012/13. Budget information from East Herts District Council Divisional Budgets 2012/13. Note: Note: East Herts appear to allocate all central costs fully to service departments. Bishop’s Stortford Council does not do this. Therefore, whilst both costs are as representative as budgets allow, they are not necessarily comparable. East Herts appear to allocate all central costs fully to service departments. Bishop’s Stortford Council does not do this. Therefore, whilst both costs are as representative as budgets allow, they are not necessarily comparable. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford calculated by percentage of Council Tax paid (25.98%). Cost to Bishop’s Stortford calculated by percentage of Council Tax paid (25.98%). © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Public Conveniences Insourced Service Insourced Service Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: £39,136. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: £39,136. Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: None known. None known. Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: District runs ¼ Public Convenience (half of Causeway). District runs ¼ Public Convenience (half of Causeway). District manages Community Toilet Scheme (2 in Stortford). District manages Community Toilet Scheme (2 in Stortford). Comparative Data: Comparative Data: Market Square toilets cost £17,000 to run. Market Square toilets cost £17,000 to run. A costing exercise for new toilets found that it would cost £16,000 per annum per Public Convenience to run. A costing exercise for new toilets found that it would cost £16,000 per annum per Public Convenience to run. Conclusion: Conclusion: £39,136 for ¼ of a full public convenience appears poor value. £39,136 for ¼ of a full public convenience appears poor value. District argument liable to be: small portion of cost due to Bishop’s Stortford as District currently only runs small number of conveniences. District argument liable to be: small portion of cost due to Bishop’s Stortford as District currently only runs small number of conveniences. Public Conveniences£% Expenditure Property Maintenance Recharge % Building Insurance % Electricity % NNDR % Water Charges % Contract Cleaning % Divisional Costs % Support Services Costs % Capital Charge % % Income Rent % % Net Expenditure © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Recommendation: Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to resolve in principle if it would wish to run the service if this option was available. If yes then pursue. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Street Cleansing & Litter Control Outsourced Service. Outsourced Service. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: £313,597 Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: £313,597 Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: Veolia awarded Street Cleansing Contract to start on May 1 st 2011 for 7 years (ends 2018). Veolia awarded Street Cleansing Contract to start on May 1 st 2011 for 7 years (ends 2018). Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Street Cleansing. Street Cleansing. Environmental Protection. Environmental Protection. Comparative Data: Comparative Data: None. None. Conclusion: Conclusion: Existing contract blocks service pursuit. Existing contract blocks service pursuit. Street Cleansing & Litter Control£% Expenditure Environmental Protection % Misc & Third Party Insurance % Misc Hired & Contracted Services % Cleansing Contract % Divisional Costs % Support Services Costs % % Income Contribution from Other Authorities % Abandoned Vehicles - Surrendered % Abandoned Vehicles - Disposal % Misc Income % % Net Expenditure © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Recommendation: No further action at current time. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Market (Bishop’s Stortford) Market - Bishop's Stortford£% Expenditure Salaries % Electricity % NNDR % Car Expenses % Purchase & Mtce of Equipment % Advertising % Subscriptions % Misc & Third Party Insurance % Other Expenses % Street Cleansing Contract % Refuse Clearance Contract % Divisional Costs % Support Services Costs % Capital Charge % % Income Fees & Charges % Licence Fees % % Net Expenditure-1720 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Insourced Service. Insourced Service. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: Break Even. Break Even. Market has been moving towards Profitability. New cleansing contract key to this. Market has been moving towards Profitability. New cleansing contract key to this. Previous estimates have proven inaccurate by around £9,000. Previous estimates have proven inaccurate by around £9,000. Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: None known. None known. TUPE might apply. TUPE might apply. Outsourced contract services probably need to be sub-contracted. Outsourced contract services probably need to be sub-contracted. Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Saturday & Thursday Market. Saturday & Thursday Market. Market Licensing. Market Licensing. Comparative Data: Comparative Data: None. None. Conclusion: Conclusion: Appears possible to run Market for profit or neutral net expenditure. Appears possible to run Market for profit or neutral net expenditure. Note: Note: Level of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council support unclear. Level of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council support unclear. Recommendation: Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to resolve in principle if it would run the market at break even or better if this option was available. If yes then actively pursue or drop. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Economic Development Insourced Service. Insourced Service. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: £44,249. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford Taxpayers: £44,249. Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: TUPE may apply. TUPE may apply. Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: ‘Shaping Bishop’s Stortford’, which includes vision group directed studies. ‘Shaping Bishop’s Stortford’, which includes vision group directed studies. £10000 support to EDPM £10000 support to EDPM Unknown proportion of 2 full-time employees. Objectives unclear. Unknown proportion of 2 full-time employees. Objectives unclear. Unknown proportion of 5 part-time employees. Objectives unclear. Unknown proportion of 5 part-time employees. Objectives unclear. Comparative Data: Comparative Data: None. None. Conclusion: Conclusion: Full extent of District objectives unclear, unlikely to get more specific data which in any event varies with time. Full extent of District objectives unclear, unlikely to get more specific data which in any event varies with time. Economic Development£% Expenditure Salaries00.00% Car Expenses % LABGI Initiatives00.00% Business Advice % Town Centre Management % Economic Development Initiative % Shaping Bishop's Stortford % Incubation Feasibility00.00% Divisional Costs % Support Service Costs % Capital Charge % % Net Expenditure © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Recommendation: Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to resolve in principle if it would bid for Economic Development. If yes then pursue. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Tourism Insourced Service Insourced Service Cost to Bishop’s Stortford: £14,469 Cost to Bishop’s Stortford: £14,469 Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: None known. None known. TUPE may apply. TUPE may apply. Services Provided to District: Services Provided to District: Familiarisation visit from the media. Familiarisation visit from the media. Representing the area at Travel Trade Shows. Representing the area at Travel Trade Shows. Production of print material. Production of print material. Individual one off projects to promote tourism business and those associated to tourism. Individual one off projects to promote tourism business and those associated to tourism. Promote quality accommodation as part of the Herts Tourism and Leisure Partnership and Visit England. Promote quality accommodation as part of the Herts Tourism and Leisure Partnership and Visit England. Conduct V&V surveys for towns and district (working with Tourism South East). Conduct V&V surveys for towns and district (working with Tourism South East). Comparative Data: Comparative Data: Bishop’s Stortford TIC costs £68,000 to run Bishop’s Stortford TIC costs £68,000 to run Delivers 30 hours of counter service a week and running of website Delivers 30 hours of counter service a week and running of website Conclusion: Conclusion: Difficult to assess value of District level promotion of Tourism. Difficult to assess value of District level promotion of Tourism. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Tourism£% Expenditure Building Insurance % Maintenance of Grounds % Tourism Partnership Projects % Divisional Costs % Support Services Costs % % Net Expenditure55690 Recommendation: To be decided. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Parks & Open Spaces Outsourced Service Outsourced Service Cost to Bishop’s Stortford: £395,891 Cost to Bishop’s Stortford: £395,891 Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: John O’Connor Limited awarded Grounds Maintenance Contract to start on April 1 st 2008 for initial period of 6 years 9 months. Possible extension of five years proposed. (Decision due 12/12/2012). John O’Connor Limited awarded Grounds Maintenance Contract to start on April 1 st 2008 for initial period of 6 years 9 months. Possible extension of five years proposed. (Decision due 12/12/2012). Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: 7 Parks & Open Spaces. 7 Parks & Open Spaces. Comparative Data: Comparative Data: None. None. Conclusion: Conclusion: Stortford has 38.39% of Parks & Open Spaces, compared with 25.98% Council tax. Stortford has 38.39% of Parks & Open Spaces, compared with 25.98% Council tax. Service appears to be good value. Service appears to be good value. Parks & Open Spaces£% Expenditure Property Maintenance Recharge % Building Insurance % R & M Closed Churchyards % Electricity % NNDR % Water Charges % Purchase & Maint of Equipment % Countryside Management Scheme % Tree Scheme % Countryside Management Ranger % Landscaping Maintenance of Capital Programmed Schemes % Dog Bin Emptying Parks & Open Spaces % Misc & Third Party Insurance % Misc Hired & Contracted Services % Grounds Maintenance Contract % Donation to Buntingford T.C % Divisional Costs % Support Services Costs % Capital Charge % Capital Charge - Skatepark % Grange Paddocks Land Security00.00% % Income Income from DEFRA % Hertfordshire County Council - Fee % Contributions from HA % Income from other bodies % Commuted Sum00.00% Publications500.01% Hertfordshire County Council - Admin Fee % Rent % Misc Income % % Net Expenditure © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Recommendation: No further action at this time. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Playgrounds Insourced Service Insourced Service Cost to Bishop’s Stortford: £83,546. Cost to Bishop’s Stortford: £83,546. Contractual Hurdles: Contractual Hurdles: TUPE may apply. TUPE may apply. Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: Services Provided to Bishop’s Stortford: 20 Play Areas. 20 Play Areas. Approximately 148 pieces of equipment. Approximately 148 pieces of equipment. Comparative Data: Comparative Data: Average cost of Inspection, Maintenance and “Purchase” in District is £260. Average cost of Inspection, Maintenance and “Purchase” in District is £260. Average cost of Inspection and Maintenance in Bishop’s Stortford is £98. Average cost of Inspection and Maintenance in Bishop’s Stortford is £98. Conclusion: Conclusion: Local oversight appears to reduce Inspection and Maintenance Costs. Local oversight appears to reduce Inspection and Maintenance Costs. Playgrounds£% Expenditure Graffiti Removal & Vandalism % Playground Inspection % Purchase & Mtce of Equipment % Misc Hired & Contracted Services % Divisional Costs % Support Services Costs % Capital Charge % % Income S106 Contributions % % Net Expenditure © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Recommendation: Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to resolve in principle if it would challenge for Playgrounds. If yes then pursue. East Herts Divisional Budgets 2012/13

Community Centres Community Centres in BS operate as follows: Community Centres in BS operate as follows: Owned by District. Owned by District. Leased to town on peppercorn rent Leased to town on peppercorn rent Managed by Community Centre Trust and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Managed by Community Centre Trust and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Conclusion: Town Council already in control Conclusion: Town Council already in control Do we request asset transfer? Do we request asset transfer? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Recommendation: Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to resolve in principle if it would request asset transfer. If yes then pursue.

Levers Community Right to Challenge. Community Right to Challenge. Community Asset Transfer. Community Asset Transfer. Community Right to Bid. Community Right to Bid. Political persuasion. Political persuasion. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Community Right to Challenge Enabling Legislation: Localism Act Enabling Legislation: Localism Act Allows relevant bodies to run authority services ‘differently and better’. Includes full and part of service. Allows relevant bodies to run authority services ‘differently and better’. Includes full and part of service. District and county can be challenged District and county can be challenged Town Council cannot be challenged but can challenge Town Council cannot be challenged but can challenge Achieved by: Achieved by: Submission of an expression of interest. Submission of an expression of interest. Decision on the submission Decision on the submission If failure the reason why must be published. If failure the reason why must be published. Modification can be requested Modification can be requested If successful -> procurement exercise If successful -> procurement exercise challenger and others can bid. challenger and others can bid. Positively: Positively: Town Council in control ensures closer oversight. Town Council in control ensures closer oversight. Negatively: Negatively: Cost might be transferred. Cost might be transferred. Outsourced services may be unavailable due to contracts. Outsourced services may be unavailable due to contracts. Insourced services might have TUPE apply. Insourced services might have TUPE apply. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Community Asset Transfer Enabling Legislation: General Disposal Consent Enabling Legislation: General Disposal Consent Encouraging Review: Making Assets Work: The Quirk Review Encouraging Review: Making Assets Work: The Quirk Review Local authorities transfer buildings to communities for less than market value. Local authorities transfer buildings to communities for less than market value. Voluntary. Cannot be forced to transfer asserts. Voluntary. Cannot be forced to transfer asserts. Range of transfer options. Most common - long leasehold. Range of transfer options. Most common - long leasehold. Preparation: Preparation: Evidence local community/people benefit. Evidence local community/people benefit. Evidence of community support. Evidence of community support. Financial viability of plan. Financial viability of plan. Positively: Positively: The asset could be transferred at a lower cost. The asset could be transferred at a lower cost. Town Council ensures local oversight. Town Council ensures local oversight. Negatively: Negatively: District may not agree. District may not agree. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Community Right to Bid Enabling Legislation: Localism Act Enabling Legislation: Localism Act Ability to purchase valued land and buildings to keep in community use if being sold. Ability to purchase valued land and buildings to keep in community use if being sold. Process: Process: Nomination of property to be placed on register of ‘assets of community value’. Nomination of property to be placed on register of ‘assets of community value’. District Council decision: District Council decision: Accept: Building goes on register. Accept: Building goes on register. Reject: Explanation letter sent to applicant. Reject: Explanation letter sent to applicant. If registered site to be sold six months given for preparation of competitive bid. If registered site to be sold six months given for preparation of competitive bid. Bid must be competitive: Bid must be competitive: Community has right to bid. Community has right to bid. Community does not have right to automatically be chosen. Community does not have right to automatically be chosen. Positively: Positively: Time is given for a bid to be prepared. Time is given for a bid to be prepared. Negatively: Negatively: Bid may not be accepted. Bid may not be accepted. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Summary of Recommendations & Possible Levers ServiceRecommendationStatutory Lever Public ConveniencesBSTC to resolve principle. If yes then pursue. Community Right to Challenge. Street Cleansing & Litter ControlNo further action at current time. Market (Bishop’s Stortford)BSTC to resolve principle based on break even. If yes then pursue. Community Right to Challenge. Economic DevelopmentBSTC to resolve principle. If yes then pursue. Community Right to Challenge. TourismTo be decided.Community Right to Challenge. Parks & Open SpacesNo further action at current time. PlaygroundsBSTC to resolve principle. If yes then pursue. Community Right to Challenge. Community CentresBSTC to resolve principle of asset transfer. If yes then pursue. Community Asset Transfer. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Backup

Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (CRtC) The relevant body submits an ‘expression of interest’. This includes: The relevant body submits an ‘expression of interest’. This includes: Information on the financial resources of the relevant body. Information on the financial resources of the relevant body. Evidence demonstrating the relevant body will be capable of providing or assisting in providing the relevant service by the time of the procurement exercise. Evidence demonstrating the relevant body will be capable of providing or assisting in providing the relevant service by the time of the procurement exercise. Information about the relevant service to identify it as well as the geographical area the expression of interest relates to. Information about the relevant service to identify it as well as the geographical area the expression of interest relates to. Information on the outcomes to be achieved. Information on the outcomes to be achieved. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Stage 2 – Response (CRtC) Three options: Three options: Accept: Begin procurement exercise. Accept: Begin procurement exercise. Reject: Publish reasons. Reject: Publish reasons. Modifications may be asked for only if application otherwise rejected. Modifications may be asked for only if application otherwise rejected. Procurement exercise could result in: Procurement exercise could result in: Failure as more information is required about the specifics of the relevant body running the service. Failure as more information is required about the specifics of the relevant body running the service. Other bidders (including the private sector) taking over the service. Other bidders (including the private sector) taking over the service. Success, negotiations over handing over of power, and eventual control of service. Success, negotiations over handing over of power, and eventual control of service. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Examples (CRtC) Youth Consortium (Surrey and borders): Youth Consortium (Surrey and borders): Local joint venture company for voluntary and community organizations. Local joint venture company for voluntary and community organizations. Since April 2012, the consortium has been the managing agent for 27 of Surrey’s 31 youth centres, taking responsibility for 260 staff. Since April 2012, the consortium has been the managing agent for 27 of Surrey’s 31 youth centres, taking responsibility for 260 staff. Holy Cross Centre Trust (in a consortium with MIND and Camden Volunteer Centre): Holy Cross Centre Trust (in a consortium with MIND and Camden Volunteer Centre): Won a £2 million tender in October 2007 to provide mental health day-care services for the London Borough of Camden. Won a £2 million tender in October 2007 to provide mental health day-care services for the London Borough of Camden. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Examples (CAT) Community Spaces Northampton: Community Spaces Northampton: In 2011 Northampton Borough Council offered eight community centres for community asset transfer. CSN was successful in its bid for seven centres. In 2011 Northampton Borough Council offered eight community centres for community asset transfer. CSN was successful in its bid for seven centres. Work involved included: Work involved included: Negotiating lease and management agreement. Negotiating lease and management agreement. Condition surveys of the buildings. Condition surveys of the buildings. Transferring Council Staff. Transferring Council Staff. Setting up finance and booking systems & training the Board. Setting up finance and booking systems & training the Board. CSN has been successfully operating the centres since the transfer took place in Spring CSN has been successfully operating the centres since the transfer took place in Spring © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Examples (CRtB) Norden Old Library: Norden Old Library: Norden Community Tryst was founded in 2007 in order to revitalise the Old Library as a community facility. Norden Community Tryst was founded in 2007 in order to revitalise the Old Library as a community facility. The building was purchased on a 125 year lease from the local authority. The building was purchased on a 125 year lease from the local authority. Local Doctors approached the trust, taking a 25 year lease and refurbishing the upper floor as a surgery. Local Doctors approached the trust, taking a 25 year lease and refurbishing the upper floor as a surgery. The lower floor was opened as a community hub in November The lower floor was opened as a community hub in November Fox & Hounds Inn: Fox & Hounds Inn: When the community hear the pub was closing, the community looked to raise £67,000. The owner then agreed to a 15-year lease. When the community hear the pub was closing, the community looked to raise £67,000. The owner then agreed to a 15-year lease. The pub reopened in April 2011, taking £297,000 in its first year. The pub reopened in April 2011, taking £297,000 in its first year. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council