Agenda item

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 and whether it had been tested and when it would be rolled out. Dynamic CE was currently used and the Council was in organisational transitioning to a more modern version. This was a complex programme of work but would provide a tangible benefit to residents, including more options to self-serve.
• It was noted that there was significant upfront costs and investment into the transformation programme and that there was a need to make sure savings were deliverable. It was noted that savings hadn’t been realised because these had been overly ambitious previously. The Board was advised that savings would only be put into the budget on what could actually be delivered based on structured plans.
• A request was made that ward councillors be kept updated on estate matters especially when buildings affected had been or were currently being accessed by members of the public.
• The Board asked about progress on the development of the old town hall meeting rooms and in particular the Council Chamber. It was noted that work on this was still in progress and the service was looking at the most cost-effective solutions to see what was possible.
• A concern was raised regarding the depot review and it was noted that this could be a particularly costly issue. The Board was advised that the working group was looking at it and would be happy to update members on this going forward.

The Chair welcomed the establishment of the cross-party working group and advised the Board that they would like to see issues coming back to the Board as and when members sitting on the working group felt that this was appropriate.

It was noted that the Board would also keep track on the financial aspects of transformation in their scrutiny of the MTFP reports to Cabinet and may also consider transformation reports to Cabinet from time to time.