Issue - meetings

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Commercial which seeks support for the scope of the transformation programme, along with the approach recommended for running and managing the programme and seeks feedback on any matters to support successful delivery)

(1)  That the scope of the transformation programme, along with the approach recommended for running and managing the programme be supported in principle.

(2)  That, prior to any investment being made, individual business cases be subject to the usual decision making processes, in-line with the Council's Constitution, with the whole programme being considered by the overview and scrutiny function.

Councillor M J Hill, OBE, the Leader of the Council, introduced this item, referring to the transformation programme's aim of improving the Council's activities and processes, which would significantly benefit from the knowledge gained during the Covid?19 pandemic.

The Assistant Director – Transformation, Programmes and Performance – presented the report, which set out the aims of the programme, with details on the individual projects.  The increased use of technology and digitalisation would be a key theme.  Funding of £7.395 million had been allocated in addition to existing individual project funding, with supporting governance arrangements also in place. 

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented the Board's statement following its meeting on 29 October 2020, which indicated the Board's support for the recommendation.  There were also comments on the involvement of overview and scrutiny committees; costs and benefits from the programme; and the use of individual councillors as sources of intelligence.   

The following points were raised by the Executive during the discussion:

• It was suggested there should be more emphasis on the role of councillors as part of the programme, encompassing the One Council approach.  It was confirmed this would be reflected in future reports.
• There was a suggestion that full justification, by way of detailed business cases, was required before taking forward certain projects, with appropriate overview and scrutiny prior to any decision making. Benefits to the public would always be emphasised as part of the business cases.      
• Timelines for each project and work streams would be provided in future reports.

RESOLVED

(1)         That the scope of the transformation programme, along with the approach recommended for running and managing the programme be supported in principle.

(2)         That, prior to any investment being made, individual business cases be subject to the usual decision making processes, in-line with the Council's Constitution, with the whole programme being considered by the overview and scrutiny function.