Issue - meetings

Report by Interim Head of Strategic Finance

A report was considered which updated Members on the progress to date with the Service Choices process and which outlined recommendations on the way forward with the Service Choices process over the coming months.

Motion

That the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report –

1.    Members to note the progress being made on Service Choices through the Project Board, with feedback from the Member’s Workshop of 5 June being taken on board and informing actions and work going forward.

2.    The report to the Policy and Resources Committee on 22 June envisaged that service targets would be brought to the meeting on 20 August. The Project Board of the 30 June considered the savings options and now recommend the following which Members are asked to approve –

·         Category 1 Management/Operational options where there are no policy or HR implications are noted and will be delivered as part of normal business.

·         Category 2 Policy Options are all progressed through to Stage 3 with further consideration of these options prior to consultation.

·         Category 3 Other Alternative Options are not progressed at this stage as they are alternative to the options already being further developed in Category 2.

3.    Members to endorse the Project Board recommendation that for planning purposes an indicative target range of savings of 4% to 6% is applied to Social Work Services. This is in line with the average percentage reduction applied across other Council services included within Service Choices and provides a degree of flexibility in developing options, until confirmation of the financial settlement is received. The final decision on the reduction will require approval by Council.

Moved Councillor Dick Walsh, seconded Councillor Ellen Morton.

Amendment

That the Committee approve –

1.      Members to note the progress being made on Service Choices through the Project Board, with feedback from the Member’s Workshop of 5 June being taken on board and informing actions and work going forward. To note that a majority of Members didn’t have access to the information that was provided to the Project Board.

2.      The report to the Policy and Resources Committee on 22 June envisaged that service targets would be brought to the meeting on 20 August. The Project Board of the 30 June considered the savings options and now recommend the following which Members are asked to approve –

·         Category 1 Management/Operational options where there are no policy or HR implications are noted and will be delivered as part of normal business.

·         Category 2 Policy Options are all progressed through to Stage 3 with further consideration of these options prior to consultation.

·         Category 3 Other Alternative Options are not progressed at this stage as they are alternative to the options already being further developed in Category 2.

3.      Members to endorse the Project Board recommendation that for planning purposes of the Health and Social Care Partnership, an indicative target range of savings of 4% to 6% is applied to Social Work Services. This is in line with the average percentage reduction applied across other Council services included within Service Choices and provides a degree of flexibility in developing options, until confirmation of the financial settlement is received. The final decision on the reduction will require approval by Council.

Moved Councillor James Robb, seconded Councillor Sandy Taylor.

Decision

Following a show of hands vote the Motion was carried by 11 votes to 3 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Reference:  Report by Interim Head of Strategic Finance dated 30 July 2015, submitted)