Agenda item ___4___
Interim Shared Management Arrangements
Summary:
Following a decision by Great Yarmouth Borough
Council to request the secondment, on an interim
shared basis, of the Council’s Head of Paid Service and
s151 Officer, Council are being asked to consider this
request and the terms of the engagement.
Options considered:
The Council has two options:
1. Agree to an interim shared arrangement for the
Head of Paid Service and s151 Officer.
2. Continue to explore shared working as per the
previous Council decision, but refuse the request
for the interim arrangements.
Conclusions:
With financial support from the Local Government
Association (LGA), Council previously agreed to explore
with all Elected Members the possible opportunities and
benefits which could accrue through the sharing of
management and services with Great Yarmouth
Borough Council. Alongside this an outline Business
Case should be prepared which would include a more
detailed financial analysis of investment needs and the
potential savings. The request to second the Head of
Paid Service and s151 Officer on an interim basis would
allow this work to continue whilst effectively ‘testing’ a
shared working environment.
Recommendations:
1. To agree to the secondment of the Head of Paid
Service and s151 Officer on an interim basis
2. To note that a revised Pay Policy Statement will
be submitted to Full Council in November 2015
3. To note that the financial support from the LGA
has been received
Reasons for
Recommendations:
To allow the business case for a shared management
with Great Yarmouth Borough Council to be progressed
with interim management arrangements in place.
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Contact Officer, telephone number and email:
1.
Introduction
At the Council meeting on 23 September 2015, Members considered a paper
on the shared service potential between Great Yarmouth Borough Council
and North Norfolk District Council.
The paper summarised research on shared arrangements in place elsewhere
in the country, which suggested that shared Chief Executive and
management arrangements can deliver benefits to Councils, particularly
where certain criteria are met. With the forecast reductions in central
government funding, and the work-streams which the Council has previously
agreed to bridge the forecast financial gap, it would be a worthwhile exercise
to explore opportunities with Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
However it was also agreed that the development of any such proposal will
require the input and engagement of all Members, and as such it was agreed
to hold Member workshops across both Councils alongside the preparation of
a business case which would explore the opportunities, both financial and
non-financial, in addition to the risks and challenges this might pose.
2.
Background
Without re-presenting the arguments for exploring shared opportunities,
Members are reminded of the principles which would drive any decision to
enter into a strategic shared service with another Council
These should be established from the outset alongside a shared set of
ambitions, however as a minimum there should be a reasonable expectation,
demonstrated in a Business Case that the following would be achieved:
-
Improved service – either in quality, efficiency or resilience
-
Maintaining local control over service standards based on customer led
local priorities
-
Maintaining the sovereignty, independence of decision making, setting of
Budget and Council Tax, identity, and reputation of the partner Councils
-
Responding to the financial and organisational challenges facing Local
Government and to meet the medium term financial strategy targets of the
partners
-
Developing new ways of working which encourage innovation and
organisational efficiency
-
And, overall that the benefits of change is greater than the transitional
costs
This will require strong political and managerial leadership, as well as good
management capability, project management skills and organisational
development focused on cultural change.
3.
Request for Interim Shared Arrangements – Secondment of Head of
Paid Service and s151 Officer
Since the meeting in September, Great Yarmouth Borough Council
considered a report which recommended that the Head of Paid Service and
s151 Officer from North Norfolk District Council be appointed on an interim
shared basis. Whilst such an arrangement would run in tandem to the
preparation of the business case, it would not commit either authority to a
permanent arrangement. However, it would provide an opportunity for a trial
period during which the shared posts can explore both the opportunities and
the issues which would need to be addressed through a business case.
4.
Implications and Risks
The interim arrangements will need to be monitored to ensure that there are
no unintended consequences from such shared posts and that neither
Council is detrimentally affected.
The Head of Paid Service does need to be able to make arrangements as
necessary to provide backfill and to procure additional support to mitigate
risks and ensure continuity of delivery during the period of the interim
arrangement.
5.
Financial Implications and Risks
A revised pay policy statement will be submitted to Full Council in November
2015 showing any proposed changes to salary for seconded posts along with
the secondment agreement for both Councils.
Members are reminded that the Councils have also received £25k funding
from the LGA to assist with the exploratory work.
6.
Sustainability
No issues identified.
7.
Equality and Diversity
No issues identified
8.
Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations
No issues identified