Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/088

Contact: David Cooke, Interim Head of Procurement & Commercial Tel: 07990 367796

Report by Chief Executive (CA10).

This report seeks the agreement of Cabinet to the principle of engaging an external provider to deliver expert advisory services to the Council over the next three years on the Fit for the Future programme and other associated strategic change initiatives. The report also sets out the proposed procurement approach

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve entering into an access agreement to the Islington procurement framework as set out in paragraph 15 for the provision of engaging expert advisory services to support and accelerate cross council transformation

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report seeking the agreement of Cabinet to the principle of engaging an external provider to deliver expert advisory services to the Council over the next three years on the Fit for the Future programme and other associated strategic change initiatives. The report also set out the proposed procurement approach.

Councillor Brighouse, Opposition Leader, stated that she had been reassured around the work of PWC and the opportunity of finding different ways of working, with great hopes for the work on the Fit for the Future programme. She had been excited by the engagement in the process by so many County Council staff and had been surprised by this report looking at further external support. Councillor Brighouse hoped that Cabinet would not agree to the recommendations and would instead empower the Council’s own officers. If additional support was needed for transition then people should be employed to do it.

Councillor Heathcoat, Deputy Leader, indicated that the original plans had recognised the need for external support. Councillor Brighouse replied that it had been obscure and the Labour Group could not support any further money going to consultants.

Responding to the point made in the report that the officer view was that there was not capacity to do the required work, Councillor Brighouse stated that officers were already involved and had the capability. They needed to be empowered and if required further staff employed. There should be consideration of beefing up a Directorate role.

During discussion Cabinet noted that it was officers saying they needed support. Savings previously identified to be made through transformation of services had not been delivered.

Councillor Hudspeth, Leader of the Council, highlighted the outcomes of the process delivering choice and the ability to invest in front line services. Council officers had done a terrific job to deliver their day job alongside this work but needed support. Councillor Hudspeth commented that it was a phased programme and indicated the opportunity for a Cabinet Advisory Group or other working group to look at each phase.

Lorna Baxter, Director of Finance, explained the nature of the framework agreement being proposed and that it represented very good value for money.

Cabinet supported the proposal with Members recognising that it allowed access to consulting services as needed to support transformation without signing up to a huge contract.

Responding to concerns from Councillor Bartholomew, Cabinet Member for Finance, Lorna Baxter stated that they would be seeking views on how best to ensure value for money and appropriate monitoring. On possible conflicts of interest for PWC on Carillion, Lorna indicated that she was assured that chinese walls were in place not just with regards to Carillion work but also work for other authorities.

RESOLVED: to approve entering into an access agreement to the Islington procurement framework as set out in paragraph 15 for the provision of engaging expert advisory services to support and accelerate cross council transformation.