Issue - meetings

That:

1)        the 21^st Century Council Business Case be approved for implementation, including:

a)        the anticipated staffing reductions and associated redundancy payments, in line with Council policy;

b)        the investment, in IT and other implementation costs to enable the significant transformation the Business Case proposes;

c)         the funding, consisting of:

(i)        a virement from revenue contribution to capital outlay of £210k in 2016/17 and £500k in 2017/18;

(ii)       a virement from interest on balances reserve of £500k in 2017/18 and £500k in 2018/19;

(iii)      supplementary estimate of £998k in 2017/18 and £1,000k in 2018/19 from general fund balances;

(iv)      capital expenditure totalling £4.329m, £2.752m in 2016/17 and £1.577m in 2017/18, to be funded initially though slippage in the 2016/17 capital programme and ultimately a first call on resources in setting the 2017/18 capital programme;

2.         Officers update the Executive quarterly during the implementation; reporting on progress of implementation and revenue return on investment.

The Executive considered a report relating to the business case for the 21^st Century Organisational Change Programme which set out the key elements of change to the shape, structure and operating model of the Council. 

The Leader of Council went through the report and informed the meeting that this was effectively the first part of the Council’s contribution to making the savings that were required, not just for the coming year, but also for a three year timeframe which would be consistent with the four-year settlement due to be discussed as the next item. Councillor Baker confirmed that the proposals would lead to a radical change in how the Council operated resulting in a reduction in costs whilst improving services.

Councillor Jorgensen confirmed that that the Personnel Board had met earlier that evening and the Chairman of the Board had reported that the meeting had recommended that the Executive approve the Business Case.

Councillor Baker advised of an error in recommendation 1c)(iv) which he reported should have stated “£2.752m” and not “£2,752” as specified in the report.  It was agreed that the recommendation be amended accordingly.

RESOLVED that:

1)        the 21^st Century Council Business Case be approved for implementation, including:

a)        the anticipated staffing reductions and associated redundancy payments, in line with Council policy;

b)        the investment, in IT and other implementation costs to enable the significant transformation the Business Case proposes;

c)         the funding, consisting of:

(i)        a virement from revenue contribution to capital outlay of £210k in 2016/17 and £500k in 2017/18;

(ii)       a virement from interest on balances reserve of £500k in 2017/18 and £500k in 2018/19;

(iii)      supplementary estimate of £998k in 2017/18 and £1,000k in 2018/19 from general fund balances;

(iv)      capital expenditure totalling £4.329m, £2.752m in 2016/17 and £1.577m in 2017/18, to be funded initially though slippage in the 2016/17 capital programme and ultimately a first call on resources in setting the 2017/18 capital programme;

2.         Officers update the Executive quarterly during the implementation; reporting on progress of implementation and revenue return on investment.