Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Chip Sherwood.

Councillor Nick Carter declared a personal interest on Item 5, Service and Resource Planning 2010/11-2014/15 as a County Council representative on Mill Arts Centre.

Councillor Liz Brighouse declared a personal interest on Item 5, Service and Resource Planning 2010/11-2014/15 as a Director of Research Machines.

Ouncillor Melinda Tilley declared a personal interest on Item 5, Service and Resource Planning 2010/11-2014/15 as a close family relative was employed by Research Machines.

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on ADD DATE (SYP3) and to note for information any matters arising on them.

Following a comment from Councillor Fooks on page 2 of the minutes noting that the position was difficult with proposals for reduced spending now, with further efficiencies in future years, the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2009 were approved and signed.

This report (SYP5) sets out the Business Improvement & Efficiency Strategy for the Corporate Core Directorate, Shared services and Environment & Economy Directorate, along with details of Corporate & Cross Directorate pressures. The strategies contain the identified pressures and proposed savings over the medium term from 2010/11 to 2014/15. For reference, the current financial context and the report to Strategy & Partnerships Scrutiny Committee on 25 November 2009 are included.

This item includes consideration of the draft capital strategy and the Chairmen of the Scrutiny Committees have been invited to attend.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment upon the strategies and the pressures and savings contained therein.

The Committee considered a report and received presentations setting out the Business Improvement & Efficiency Strategy for the Corporate Core Directorate, Shared Services and Environment & Economy Directorate, along with details of Corporate & Cross Directorate  pressures. The strategies contained the identified pressures and proposed savings over the medium term from 2010/11 to 2014/15.

The Leader and  Deputy Leader as relevant portfolio holders were in attendance for this item.

During discussion the following were amongst the main points made:

1) The Committee recognised the importance of ICT services to the provision of front line services to the public and took as a starting point the need to protect them as much as practicable. In recognising the budget pressures they endorsed the prioritisation of projects to ensure best use of available resources and consideration of making recharges to Directorates to ensure a focus on service definition and costs. There was general support for the view expressed by Councillor Fooks that ICT ‘invest to save’ projects should be supported.

2)The remaining proposals in the Corporate Core Efficiency Strategy were supported including the proposals for the members’ budget.

3)The Committee endorsed the Directorate efficiency strategy in relation to Shared Services and suggested that there be continued pressure to drive efficiencies from contracts and to extend the provision of services where it was advantageous to do so.

4)The Committee endorsed the Directorate efficiency strategy in respect of property although noting that elements of it were high risk.

Capital Investment

The Committee highlighted the following schemes (identified by number) as ones they would wish to see go forward:

Pages 83 – 86 - Nos. 2, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14,

Pages 87-88 – Nos 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18

Councillor Mitchell noted that the cost of the schemes supported was greater than the capital investment available.

To note for information a paper updating the Committee on progress with the Corporate Plan 2010/11 – 2014/15, the principles on which the plan is being developed and the timetable for its completion. The Committee is advised that the draft Plan will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on 14 January 2010.

The Committee is asked to support the broad approach to the Corporate Plan as outlined.

The Committee noted a report on progress with the Corporate Plan 2010/11 – 2014/15, setting out the principles on which the plan was being developed and the timetable for its completion. The Committee was advised that the draft Plan will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on 14 January 2010.