Issue - items at meetings - Annual Value for Money and Efficiency Report

Report of the Director of Finance & Resources (copy attached).

1.     That the achievement against the 2007/08 efficiency target reported in the “backward look” Annual Efficiency Statement submission be noted.

2.     That the actions taken in 2007/08 to improve the council’s use of its resources be noted.

3.     That the actions planned for 2008/09 to improve the council’s use of its resources be agreed.

28.1       The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Finance & Resources which provided an update on the council’s value for money programme and performance against government efficiency targets as reported in Annual Efficiency statements submitted to central government.  The report also provided a framework for action planning to improve the council’s use of its resources and reported on its delivery against those plans (for copy see minute book).

28.2       The Opposition Spokesperson referred to paragraph 3.5.  He asked if there was scope in working with other local authorities to bulk buy.  The Director of Finance and Resources replied that there were opportunities to buy goods and services through the Sussex Consortium and a national framework. The council were increasingly involved in joint procurement work.

28.3       The Opposition Spokesperson referred to paragraph 5.6 in relation to the Transformation Fund. He asked if this was used by Price Waterhouse Coopers. The Assistant Director Financial Services replied that the Transformation Fund did not fund Price Waterhouse Coopers.  The fund built capacity.  Outside expertise might be brought in or it might simply be used to bring in extra officer capacity, including temporary staff.  The Director of Finance and Resources explained that the fund was used for pump priming projects each year.  One example was providing additional capacity for improving corporate debt collecting.

28.4       RESOLVED – That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)       That the achievement against the 2007/08 efficiency target reported in the “backward look” Annual Efficiency Statement submission be noted.

(2)       That the actions taken in 2007/08 to improve the council’s use of its resources be noted.

(3)       That the actions planned for 2008/09 to improve the council’s use of its resources be agreed.