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Division(s): All

ITEM BV5(b)

BEST VALUE COMMITTEE – 10 DECEMBER 2003

BEST VALUE REVIEW OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Report by Director for Resources

Introduction

  1. At its meeting on 18 June 2003, the Committee agreed a two year best value review programme, including four reviews to take place in 2003/04. The Committee has agreed specifications for the reviews on Heritage, Learning Disability Services and Customer Services in Environment & Economy, but it has not yet agreed a specification on the review of Training and Development.

  2. This report sets out the case for this review now not being conducted as a best value review, but as a project to implement part of the Developing Our Staff review.

    3. Background

  3. The Developing Our Staff best value review reported to Committee on 26 February 2003. One of the service improvements in its action plan was to "Create a corporate Learning and Development Unit to include Management Development, generic training, with an emphasis on development of all staff. This should also include a corporate induction programme".

  4. As with other service improvements from this review, the action plan does not detail the work necessary to achieve it. However, other service improvements from this review are being implemented as projects. For example in "adopting a strategic approach to human resource management" external consultants are being used to recommend new structures to adopt. Additionally a working group has been established within the organisation tasked with the job of creating an HR strategy for the Council

  5. In proposing its programme of best value reviews, CCMT had originally envisaged a review being necessary to best explore ways to achieve this corporate approach to training. On reflection, I feel that this is not now necessary, and to carry out a further review to the two already carried out in the area of Personnel/HR would not enhance our understanding of the issues, and will only serve to delay the introduction of this vital improvement.

  6. ODPM Circular 03/2003 provides guidance on the legislation governing the implementation of best value. It endorses a flexible approach to review programmes and accepts that reviews need not be undertaken where straightforward improvements can be undertaken, even where a previous commitment to do so has been made. This guidance would suggest that adapting our best value review programme as it proceeds would be acceptable to the Audit Commission.

    7. Proposed Approach

  7. The Learning and Development Network, which is an established corporate group of staff with roles in the area of learning and development and includes HR staff from all Directorates, has already expressed its willingness and enthusiasm to undertake this work. I consider that this is an ideal project team to carry out this work, as it will better facilitate a consensus view how to adopt a corporate approach to training and development. I recommend that Committee agree to commission the Network to begin this work as they can make this change happen and make the plan become a reality.

  8. In order to present a degree of external challenge, and also keep members informed of development, I further recommend that one or more members of the Committee sit on this project team as they would any best value review. The final proposals of the project team can be brought to a future meeting of the Committee for approval before improvements are implemented.

    9. RECOMMENDATION

  9. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. agree that the proposed best value review of Training & Development be now carried out as a project to implement part of the Developing Our Staff review;

          2. agree that the Learning and Development Network be tasked as the project team to undertake this work, and to include any members interested in participating;

          3. request officers to report back in due course on proposals for a corporate approach to training and development.

JOHN JACKSON
Director for Resources

Background Papers:
Developing our Staff Best Value Review
ODPM Circular 03/2003
Report BV7, Best Value Committee 18 June 2003

Contact Officer: Neil Lawrence, Tel: 01865 816036

December 2003

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