Joint scrutiny committee will consider the refreshed Corporate Transformation Programme and the plans for its further development over the coming months.
Minutes:
The report was introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Waste for Vale of White Horse District Council, as Cabinet member for Policy and Programmes (Vale) was unable to attend. For South Oxfordshire District Council, Cabinet member for Corporate Services was present online to answer questions. The Head of Finance and Interim Transformation Lead were present to support, as well as the Head of Policy and Programmes and Head of Corporate Services.
The programme was initially IT developments to prepare for exiting an outsourced service contract. This had developed into other areas, to look for ways to make services more efficient and save money where possible. This report presented a summary of the programme refresh.
Cabinet member for SODC explained we were looking at objectives we were trying to achieve:
Head of Finance explained that he was satisfied that the budgets were prudent and robust. To maintain that we make allowance for inflation, but not non-inflationary pressures. However, we can deal with the unexpected in a timely manner with a prudent budget. We were unsure on government funding as the government had just changed. We had planned for £100k savings per council (annually, cumulative) and the transformation team was made permanent. The aim being to make efficiencies and not reduce services. Our obligation to best value duty (making continuous improvements) was key.
Interim Transformation Lead provided a short presentation on the refreshed programme.
The committee considered the content of the refreshed Corporate Transformation Programme and the plans for its further development over the coming months. Committee made comments and asked questions.
Recommendation:
Joint scrutiny committee noted the content of the refreshed Corporate Transformation Programme and the plans for its further development over the coming months.
Committee commented that they wanted to see headline target dates asap and costings for projects. It was asked that recognition be given to potential larger financial burden.
Members considered the private sector terminology “failing faster” and recommended that thought be given to this terminology, to consider appropriateness for a council.
Supporting documents:
01235 422520
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Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon
OX14 3JE