Issue - meetings

This report informs the Executive about issues relating to Efficiency across the Council; in particular, the Corporate Efficiency Programme and progress on a number of individual efficiency reviews commissioned as part of the 2008/9 budget process.

RESOLVED:             (i)         That progress on the Corporate Efficiency Programme be noted and that the approach to the CEP and the selection of Northgate Kendrick Ash be endorsed.

                                    (ii)        That approval be given to fund the scoping study from the Efficiency Reserve, at a cost of £52,000.

                                    (iii)       That regular update reports be provided to the Executive at not less than 6 monthly intervals, that individual Executive Members be kept advised of progress made on projects which may impact on their portfolio responsibilities, and that the Executive Leader or his nominee be nominated to sit on the CEP Strategic Steering Board.

                                    (iv)       That the progress in relation to the review of Leisure, Transport and allocation of funds for Organisational Effectiveness be noted.

REASON:      For information and to ensure full Member engagement in the Corporate Efficiency Programme and the achievement of efficiency savings targets.

[See also under Part B Minutes]

Members considered a report which provided information on issues relating to Efficiency across the Council; specifically, the Corporate Efficiency Programme (CEP) and progress on individual efficiency reviews.

Part 1 of the report outlined progress made on moving forward with a major CEP, following the Executive’s decision in September 2008 to procure a performance partner.  A detailed procurement process had now been undertaken and Northgate Kendrick Ash (NKA) had been chosen for this role.  Next steps would include two distinct phases – a twelve week scoping review, and a three year Performance Partnership with clearly defined milestones towards the achievement of a minimum £15m net efficiency target for delivery of service, organisational and financial improvements.  The cost of the initial review would be £52,000.  Critical elements of both phases would be to enable a partnership approach, create a successful engagement model and embed a strong governance model.  During the initial review, NKA would require support to ensure the engagement of Council staff and stakeholders at all levels.

Part 2 of the report outlined the current position on the reviews commissioned as part of the 2008/09 budget process.  Details of the reviews of Subsidised and Community Transport and of Leisure and Culture were attached as annexes 1 and 2 to the report.  Details of the ongoing investment in the Organisational Effectiveness Programme (now the Single Improvement Plan) were set out in paragraph 29(iii).  This included the allocation of £20k to Corporate Accountancy for Efficiency Reviews, £25k to the Performance and Improvement Team and £40k to Public Services, to fund a Customer Relations post.  The review of Commercial Property had been abandoned following discussions with Members and it was suggested that the £50k allocated to this review be added to the Efficiency Reserve, on the basis that the Efficiency Programme would at some stage consider the commercial property portfolio.  The reviews of Property Services and of Shared services would be incorporated in the CEP and approval was therefore sought to transfer the funds for these reviews to the Efficiency Reserve.

RESLOLVED:(i) That progress on the Corporate Efficiency Programme be noted and that the approach to the CEP and the selection of Northgate Kendrick Ash be endorsed.

                                    (ii)        That approval be given to fund the scoping study from the Efficiency Reserve, at a cost of £52,000.¹

                                    (iii)       That regular update reports be provided to the Executive at not less than 6 monthly intervals, that individual Executive Members be kept advised of progress made on projects which may impact on their portfolio responsibilities, and that the Executive Leader or his nominee be nominated to sit on the CEP Strategic Steering Board. ²

                                    (iv)       That the progress in relation to the review of Leisure, Transport and allocation of funds for Organisational Effectiveness be noted.

REASON:      For information and to ensure full Member engagement in the Corporate Efficiency Programme and the achievement of efficiency savings targets.