Issue - meetings

This report sets out further information in respect of CYT Ltd, a Local Authority Trading Company, which commenced trading as a schools supply agency in June 2012 under the name WwY@CYT including the proposed business case for further business development which requires Cabinet approval.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to

i)        Option 2, the transfer of all CYC casual work (WwY & non WwY) and related casual only staffing resources to CYT Ltd on a phased basis until December 2013, commencing with existing WwY services in September 2013.

ii)       Support in principle the transfer of interim and specialists work and authorise the Director of Customer and Business Support Services to proceed subject to a further report to the Shareholder Committee.

iii)      The WwY Team within CBSS Human Resources to remain within the Council with all costs recharged to CYT Ltd.

REASON:           To achieve the benefits summarised in paragraph 14 of the report

Consideration was given to a report which updated Cabinet on the establishment of City of York Trading Ltd (CYT) as a Local Authority Trading Company. The company had commenced trading as a schools supply agency in June 2012 under the name WwY@CYT using the internal casual staffing team, WorkwithYork to deliver the service.

The company’s outturn Performance Report and the Business Plan for further business development (WorkwithYork Phase II), set out at Annex A of the report, had been received by the Board of Directors and the Shareholder Committee and approved. Cabinet were now asked to consider the case for the extension of the supply agency activity and the transfer of all the remaining casual staff business from the Council to CYT by 1 September 2013.

A summary of the business case for the transfer of staff and the proposal to retain the internal HR team managing the WwY service within the employment of the Council  were also outlined in the report. It was confirmed that discussions had been undertaken with the Trade Unions and that casual workers had been informed of the proposals.

The Cabinet Member confirmed support for the expansion which would provide a number of benefits outlined in the report with advantages to casual staff with the protection of jobs and a guaranteed living wage.

Officers referred to the governance arrangements and to the flexible approach the transfer would provide. Increased turnover would result from the expansion of the service ultimately providing significant returns and dividends to the Council.

Following further discussion Cabinet considered the following options:

Option 1     Transfer all WwY casual work by September 2013.

Option 2     Transfer all casual work in option 1 plus non WwY casual work, phased over time to December 2013.

Option 3     No change.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to

i)        Option 2, the transfer of all CYC casual work (WwY & non WwY) and related casual only staffing resources to CYT Ltd on a phased basis until December 2013, commencing with existing WwY services in September 2013.

ii)       Support in principle the transfer of interim and specialists work and authorise the Director of Customer and Business Support Services to proceed subject to a further report to the Shareholder Committee.

iii)      The WwY Team within CBSS Human Resources to remain within the Council with all costs recharged to CYT Ltd. ^1.

REASON:           To achieve the benefits summarised in paragraph 14 of the report