A CRUNCH decision is expected soon on whether North East Lincolnshire Council should extend the tie-up with its French-owned regeneration partner, Engie.
Alternatives would be to seize back control or to seek a similar relationship with another organisation.
The original 10-year partnership - which began on July 1, 2010 - was with a British company, Balfour Beatty, but it was subsequently passed on first to another company, Cofely, then to Engie.
The contract has already been extended for two years and so, if no further extension is agreed, is due to end on June 30, 2022.
During preliminary discussions, it is understood both parties are mindful to extend the contract for a further three years to June 30, 2025, but the option remains for either to walk away.
The partnership covers a number of services including
* Highways
* Transport
* Planning and Development Control
* Planning Enforcement
* Building Control
* Asset Management
* Estates &Valuation
* Facilities Management
* Security
* Architects
* Building Surveyors
* Housing
* Project Management
However, arrangements are currently being made to transfer two of these - Asset Management and Estates & Valuation - back to the Council.
The services which Engie provides currently cost NELC approximately £12-million annually.
However, there are some additional pay-as-you-go costs which are incurred to deliver specific projects, such as the controversial (some would call it offensive) initiative to stage pet funerals at Grimsby Crematorium.
Under the current governance arrangements, a partnership board of the two organisations is chaired by NELC's chief executive, Rob Walsh, and includes the leader of the council, Cllr Philip Jackson, plus some other cabinet portfolio holders.
Inevitably, there have been areas of friction between the two parties, and it is ironic that, in an area which voted in favour of cutting ties with Europe in the Referendum, the local authority is in lockstep with a French company.
As with the EU negotiations, terminating the partnership would be fraught with complexity.
Indeed, it would probably be less of a problem for Engie than for NELC to terminate the tie-up.
Mr Walsh is believed to favour extending the contract but Cllr Jackson is thought to be undecided.
During the pandemic, Engie has proved to be an impressive ally.
A report seen by the Grimsby News states: "Engie has provided significant support to the council.
"This has included the use of considerable resource to accelerate the delivery of key Covid-19 related projects whilst maintaining the delivery of ‘day-to-day’ services.
"In addition, Engie has worked closely with contractors to ensure the continued delivery of major highways and regeneration projects whilst safeguarding the Council against potentially substantial cost increases.
"Engie is well prepared in the event of increased Covid-19 risk in the future, but a risk to delivery of key services and/or projects will remain in the event of severe labour or supply shortages.
"This risk is being monitored through the governance arrangements already in place."
The future of the partnership is scheduled for discssion at a meeting of NELC's cabinet in November.
If it were to be terminated by either party, NELC's control of its affairs would not become total.
This is because it also has comparable arrangements - though for different services - with two other organisation, Scunthorpe-based North Lincolnshire Council and Lincs Inspire Ltd.
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