Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services will give an update on the implementation of her priorities for this municipal year.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services gave Members an update on her work and the implementation of her priorities over the last year. Following a request, she also put forward her suggestions for possible areas for scrutiny during the next municipal year.

She pointed out that, if any Members required additional information in respect of any of the issues raised to let her know and she would forward on further details.

The Cabinet Member spoke about the core functions of the Council and in particular to the following areas:

Exit Strategy and West Office Move (WO)

She thanked all staff for their hard work and dedication in both the preparation for, and move to West Offices. Work was still ongoing at Hazel Court to incorporate the different teams and business continuity plan. Following handover of the WO building Shepherds would take over the facilities management. Yorkcraft had also been heavily involved in the move providing assistance to staff.

In answer to a question the Cabinet Member confirmed that she hoped that further work would be undertaken on procurement following the reduction in office accommodation and move to WO’s.

It was also questioned why a competition for a more imaginative name for the new building had not been considered.

Finance

Updates were given on the budget and quarterly monitoring reports. Details of changes in business rates and funding together with changes in Council Tax support , requiring additional work by staff were reported.

In relation to financial inclusion, Members questioned how CSMC would be able to judge tangible measures of success. The Cabinet Member confirmed that further information on outcomes would be provided in a future report to Cabinet.

Asset Management Report

The Cabinet Member acknowledged this important work which would provide a tangible outcome.

Members suggested that the commissioning of asset management could be considered as a future scrutiny topic. The Cabinet Member made reference to wider commissioning across the Council and to a government pilot scheme being undertaken by three cities on commissioning which could also provide income generation.

Customers and HR

It was noted that following staff occupation of WO’s new methods of working were being implemented including the use of new technology.

Overall there had been a good response to the authorities move to WO’s from customers and business colleagues. It was also hoped that further apprenticeships could be developed and continued in the future.

Legal

Following the restructure in Legal a high proportion of work was now being undertaken in house, however it would still be necessary, on occasions, to bring in specialist expertise. Close monitoring of this was ongoing.

ICT

Thanks were expressed to the IT team who were continuing with a number of large number of high profile projects. They continued to provide an excellent service in a number of areas including the recent move and exit strategy, the new Members portal, the draft Business Plan for 2013/14 and the Super Connected City bid.

North Yorkshire Pension Fund

The Cabinet Member confirmed her ongoing interest in her work with the Fund, making reference to the numbers involved in the NY Pension Scheme.

Members went on to congratulate the Cabinet Member on her work throughout the year particularly with the increased responsibility of the move to West Offices. The Cabinet Member expressed her thanks to all those involved, in particular the staff and ICT team for their ongoing work and commitment to the project.

It was hoped that the Cabinet Members successor would also continue to support full community engagement. With attention being given to opening up the authorities work to ensure full resident support.

RESOLVED:       That the update from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services be received and noted.

REASON:           To keep Members informed of all areas of work within the remit of the Committee.