Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on progress against the Gershon efficiency targets, in the light of the final 2007/08 outturn, and outlines the steps being taken to ensure that the Council achieves the harder targets.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

(i)                 That the Executive Member be advised to note the progress against the Gershon efficiency targets and the steps being taken to ensure that the Council achieves the harder targets;

(ii)               That all staff be thanked for their achievements in the efficiency savings made throughout the Authority.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      This report is for information.          

Members considered a report which provided an update on progress made against the Gershon efficiency targets, in light of the final 2007/08 out-turn, and outlined the steps being taken to ensure that the Council achieved the harder targets.

The Gershon efficiency agenda was a three-year national programme aimed at delivering a cumulative saving of £6.45 billion within local government by the end of 2007/08.  The final out-turn position was set out in paragraph 11 of the report.  This showed that the 3 year target of £8.8m had been achieved, plus additional efficiencies of £2.136m. 

The Council was now working towards a more formalised and structured way of managing the efficiency agenda.  Action to date included the establishment of an invest to save fund to pump prime efficiency projects and the planned appointment of a private sector partner to bring in additional capacity and skills to drive through efficiency savings.  Positive steps were being taken to review operations to ensure they were performing as efficiently as possible, and the Council would continue to strive to meet the harder efficiency targets.

In answer to Members questions regarding the additional efficiencies found, Officers confirmed that, in reality, most Authorities had achieved greater efficiencies in order to balance their budgets but that they this sum would be carried forward towards the City of York’s 2008/09 efficiency target of £4.2m.

Members also referred to the procurement process currently underway to appoint a private sector partner to work with the Council to bring in additional capacity and skills to drive through the efficiency savings. They questioned how the partner would be used, fee levels and the risks involved. Members requested feedback on the procurement process to a future EMAP meeting. ^1.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

(i)                 That the Executive Member be advised to note the progress against the Gershon efficiency targets and the steps being taken to ensure that the Council achieves the harder targets;

(ii)               That all staff be thanked for their efforts in achieving the efficiency savings made throughout the Authority.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To update the Executive Member on progress against the Gershon efficiency targets