Issue - meetings

A number of key achievements and milestones have been delivered since the inception of the programme and the last update.  In the each of the principle elements of the programme; Organisational Design, Where and how we work and Supporting our Colleagues.   Some of this is now so familiar to staff and Members that it is easy to overlook as we continue to thrive and operate in our new normal.

Significant time and investment has been put in to building the foundations from which we can continue to transform as an organisation. Some of which may not be visible or obvious until such point as they are released for use and then quickly pass into familiarity with expectations and boundaries then pushed to the next improvement.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)    Cabinet noted the progress made on the implementation of the Council’s Transformation Programme; and

(b)   Cabinet noted the Financial Implications set out in paragraphs 41 to 43.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Portfolio Holder: Transformation and Resources

Reason

To report a progress update on the Council’s Transformation Programme.

The Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Resources presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that a number of key achievements and milestones had been delivered since the inception of the programme and the last update in each of the principal elements of the programme; Organisational Design, Where and how we work and Supporting our Colleagues.  

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that some of this is now so familiar to staff and Members that it is easy to overlook as we continue to thrive and operate in our new normal.

Cabinet was informed that significant time and investment had been put in to building the foundations from which we can continue to transform as an organisation, some of which may not be visible or obvious until such point as they are released for use and then quickly pass into familiarity with expectations and boundaries then pushed to the next improvement.

The Portfolio Holder thanked officers for their attendance to respond to any queries on technical aspects of the paper.

A non-Cabinet Member Councillor highlighted issues that residents have had in contacting the Council by their preferred method, via telephone and whether there was a timetable for resolving this. The Portfolio Holder advised that in the preceding month Cabinet had approved a new software system to manage this process which should be implemented in December. Additional in-person hubs were also being established and further solutions were being made available for digital engagement.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)    Cabinet noted the progress made on the implementation of the Council’s Transformation Programme; and

(b)   Cabinet noted the Financial Implications set out in paragraphs 41 to 43.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Portfolio Holder: Transformation and Resources

Reason

To report a progress update on the Council’s Transformation Programme.

A number of key achievements and milestones have been delivered since the inception of the programme and the last update.  In the each of the principle elements of the programme; Organisational Design, Where and how we work and Supporting our Colleagues. Some of this is now so familiar to staff and Members that it is easy to overlook as we continue to thrive and operate in our new normal.

Significant time and investment has been put in to building the foundations from which we can continue to transform as an organisation. Some of which may not be visible or obvious until such point as they are released for use and then quickly pass into familiarity with expectations and boundaries then pushed to the next improvement.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Resources presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was advised of a number of key achievements and milestones which had been delivered since the inception of the programme and the last update. In the each of the principal elements of the programme; Organisational Design, Where and how we work and Supporting our Colleagues. The Board was informed that some of this was now so familiar to staff and Councillors that it was easy to overlook as the Council continued to thrive and operate in the ‘new normal’. Significant time and investment had been put in to building the foundations from which the Council could continue to transform as an organisation. It was noted that some of this may not be visible or obvious until such point as they were released for use and then quickly pass into familiarity with expectations and boundaries then pushed to the next improvement. The Cabinet member noted that much of the transformation agenda work was already in place before they took up the post but they would continue to work with officers on this as it develops. In the following discussion a number of issues were raised and responded to including:

A query concerning how hybrid working was operating was raised. It was noted that this was business as normal now and with the development of the civic centre the Council was able to optimise the use of space and ensure desk ratios and working areas were working for everyone.

• The majority of staff were now using the BCP Civic Centre and enjoyed the balance of working from the office and from home.
• It was noted that there were ongoing comments made generally about getting people back in the office and it was questioned whether offering flexibility was the right thing?
• It was raised that there were still levels of uncertainty regarding the funding and savings to be achieved through the transformation programme. It was asked if there was a plan B.
• It was noted that in forecasting the budget gap all unattributed savings had been removed from the Medium Term Financial Plan. Work to identify savings was included within the entire budget gap. The Portfolio Holder advised that they would not offer guarantees on the level of savings which would be realised through the transformation programme and further professional advice was awaited from officer on this. It was noted that the Programme was achieving a lot already and that the savings would be reflected in the final level of savings for the long term.
• The Board highlighted that Councillors were currently uncited on achievements of the programme and it would be useful if some information or demonstrations of these could be shared in order to see how the programme had come.
• A Councillor asked how mature progress on the customer relations interface was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10