Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee notes the different models that can be used as alternatives to deliver services;

(b)       That the Committee recognises the wider factors, such as legislative parameters and core principles, which need to be observed when considering the delivery of services through alternative delivery models;

(c)       That the Committee is assured that the Council considers all appropriate alternative delivery models, and the benefits and limitations of these, as part of a broader options appraisal when reviewing services; and

(d)       That the Committee receives a future report on shared services at a future date.

The Chief Executive introduced a report to explore the benefits and limitations of outsourcing and/or creating shared services as a means to deliver Council services, as requested previously by the Committee.

The Committee was introduced to Kelly Oldham-Jones, the Strategic Executive Officer (Capital Programme & Assets), who provided an overview of the main areas of the report.  She explained that in addition to summarising a wider selection of alternative delivery models (ADMs), the report highlighted broader core principles and legislative requirements that should be considered.  In setting out the Council’s approach, reference was made to key criteria - including Welsh Government guidance - and the need to develop each model to meet specific needs and with appropriate resources to implement, as demonstrated in the examples shared.

The Chairman said that managing back-office services from a central location to achieve cost savings worked well in the private sector, acknowledging the impact on staff, and suggested a further report to consider options for the Council and potential impacts.

In highlighting the Joint Procurement Unit as a shared service with Denbighshire County Council, the Chief Executive said it should be recognised that a significant level of work had been undertaken over the past few years to transform services, including protecting services for communities through ADMs and Community Asset Transfers (CATs).  As such, a key consideration for options for shared services should be an understanding of the benefits to the Council and its partners.

The Chairman acknowledged the complexities involved and suggested that the Committee identify one option to enable a detailed report to be shared to consider the implications.

Councillor Paul Johnson said it was important that any change improved upon that service.

In commenting on the comprehensive list of options shared in the report, Councillor Bill Crease said that scrutinising proposals and cost analysis to understand benefits should become an embedded culture across the organisation.

The Chief Executive advised that any considerations should have due regard to key criteria such as the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and TUPE^[1] rights.  In response to the comments raised, he assured Members that consideration was given to the viability of appropriate models.

The Chairman proposed an amendment to the recommendations to reflect the debate.  He was seconded by Councillor Allan Marshall.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee notes the different models that can be used as alternatives to deliver services;

(b)       That the Committee recognises the wider factors, such as legislative parameters and core principles, which need to be observed when considering the delivery of services through alternative delivery models;

(c)       That the Committee is assured that the Council considers all appropriate alternative delivery models, and the benefits and limitations of these, as part of a broader options appraisal when reviewing services; and

(d)       That the Committee receives a future report on shared services at a future date.