Agenda item

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The Chief Executive presented the report and reminded the Panel that one of the recommendations from the Peer Review in 2023 was to establish a transformation programme.  Since 2023 work had been carried out informally and this report set out how the process would be formalised and how work would be carried out going forward. 

The Chief Executive presented the emerging framework and it was noted that the next stage would be to create a list of projects, programmes and priorities.

Three pillars of change had been identified which were linked to the Corporate Strategy and also included some cross cutting themes.  Examples of the types of projects that could be carried out under each pillar was provided to the Panel.

Information on governance framework was also provided and it was highlighted that a Programme Board would monitor performance and provide strategic oversight.

The Chief Executive explained that staff had been engaged in processes and responsible officers had been identified to take the three pillars of work forward. 

The plan was to start the process from 1^st April 2025 and the programme was intended to run for two years.

The Chair thanked the Chief Executive for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

In response to a question from Councillor Collingham, it was clarified that this was separate to the work of the Member Major Projects Board.

The Chair asked about the impact of Local Government Reorganisation and the Chief Executive stated that at this stage Cabinet were being asked to agree the framework and individual projects and programmes would then follow and those that ensured they put the Council in a strong position for the future, realised efficiencies and modernised the workforce would be progressed. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Beales added that long term benefits still needed to be looked at, along with more efficient ways of working and the Cabinet would prioritise and consider the projects to be progressed.  He provided the Panel with an update on recent discussions relating to Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation and how the Devolution Programme did not require a delay to Elections as Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation were two different things and he was working closely with other District Councils to make this point.  The Leader of the Council explained that the Transformation Programme would strengthen the Councils position and ensure that the needs of residents were being met.

The Chair agreed that it was important to collaborate with others to ensure that the Council were future proofing, becoming more efficient and modernising.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Blunt commented that, along with the work required on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, this additional transformation work would require additional resources and it was important that there was support from Councillors.  He welcomed the proposal for a cross party working group.

The Leader of the Council commented that it was important to identify what was possible to take forward and consider this against Political priorities.  He referred to the proposal for a cross party group and asked the Panel to consider if they felt that this should be politically proportional, or if Membership should be based upon those that had an interest and could commit.

The Chair agreed that Members serving on the Group should have an interest, but felt that cross party representation was required.  He commented that the Group did not necessarily need to be politically balanced, but required representation from all Political Groups.

The Chair proposed an amendment to the recommendation that the Transformation Board Membership be politically representative, rather than politically balanced so that it reassured that there would be cross party representation, but provided flexibility.  This was agreed by the Panel.

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Performance Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet with one amendment (highlighted in bold), as set out below.

CABINET RECOMMENDATION: That Cabinet Resolves:

-        To note the contents of the report and the emerging Transformation Programme.

-        To establish a politically representative member representation on the Transformation Programme Board to be chaired by the Chief Executive.