Issue - items at meetings - Shared Services Review

Joint report of the Director of Finance and Interim Lead for the Chief Executive’s Service (copy attached).

1.                  That the report, in particular the range of current shared service type arrangements set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

2.                  That the development of further shared service arrangements where this is consistent with four guiding principles set out in paragraph 3.11.2 of the report be agreed; and

3.                  That the Chief Executive be requested to review existing shared service arrangements and potential new shared services arrangements in support of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, Value for Money Programme and modernisation agenda and alongside other alternative service delivery models.

128.1    The Director of Finance introduced the report which had been requested by the committee and provided details of the key issues surrounding shared services, national learning from other authorities and outlined the current shared, partnership and joint services that the council was involved in.  She also drew the committee’s attention to the proposed guiding principles for future shared services activity by the council.

128.2    Councillor West welcomed the report and stated that it was helpful to have the information set out as to what was already taking place in the council and what was being taken forward.  He believed the set of principles were very good and provided for potential opportunities to undertake shared, partnership of joint working.

128.3    Councillor G. Theobald welcomed the report and hoped that the Chief Executive would ensure that was more was done in the future as there were excellent examples of shared services around the country.

128.4    The Chair noted the comments and stated that it was a very helpful report and good to see the breadth of arrangements that were in place which ranged from small-scale activities to joint working across the SE7 area.  He then put the recommendations to the vote.

128.5    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the report, in particular the range of current shared service type arrangements set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

(2)         That the development of further shared service arrangements where this is consistent with four guiding principles set out in paragraph 3.11.2 of the report be agreed; and

(3)         That the Chief Executive be requested to review existing shared service arrangements and potential new shared services arrangements in support of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, Value for Money Programme and modernisation agenda and alongside other alternative service delivery models.