Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/169

Contact: Graham Shaw, Deputy Director – OCS Tel: (01865) 797228/Frances Craven, Deputy Director – Education & Early Intervention Tel: (01865) 815125

Report by Chief Executive (CA8).

The report provides an update and next steps in the externalisation of corporate facing HR and Finance back office services and the joint venture proposal to cover school back office and schools learning and foundation years.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             Suspend the current procurement process for the Outsource of Finance and HR back-office services and the Joint Venture for School Improvement and related support services for schools (with the exception of Outdoor Education Centres);

(b)             Commission a full business case for Oxfordshire with a view to joining the Hampshire IBC partnership and creation of a new partnership with Hampshire for Education services.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update and sought approval to the next steps in the externalisation of corporate facing HR and Finance back office services and the joint venture proposal to cover school back office and schools learning and foundation years.

Councillor Christie, Opposition Deputy Leader, stated that this was a very welcome initiative and he offered public support for the recommendations. He commented that there was a lot of detail to be considered, not least governance and staffing. Staff had concerns which would need sensitive handling. He looked forward to seeing he detailed business case at scrutiny.

Councillor Rose in proposing the recommendations stated that he did welcome them and that if it did not work out there was the option to return to the full procurement process. Schools had previously indicated they preferred the status quo and valued the public element of the services provided so the public partnership element was to be welcomed.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)                suspend the current procurement process for the Outsource of Finance and HR back-office services and the Joint Venture for School Improvement and related support services for schools (with the exception of Outdoor Education Centres); and

(b)                commission a full business case for Oxfordshire with a view to joining the Hampshire IBC partnership and creation of a new partnership with Hampshire for Education services.