Issue - meetings

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Report of the Head of Financial Services.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Financial Services to seek approval for entering into a full shared service with Preston City Council for the provision of Revenues and Benefits services on the basis as set out in the business case, subject to the necessary constitutional changes being approved in due course.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1: to approve the business case for entering into a full shared service with Preston City Council for the provision of Revenues and Benefits services, on the basis as set out at Appendix A to the report (with supporting recommendations regarding contractual and constitutional matters).  This provided for a full appraisal of this option, including risk considerations.

Option 2: to not approve the business case and instead instruct officers to pursue an alternative option as outlined in the business case.  Whilst the key advantages and disadvantages are outlined in the Appendix to the report, depending on the alternative chosen, officers may need to undertake further development work and report back accordingly.

Officer Preferred Option (and comments)

The Officer preferred option is Option 1, as this is considered to the most cost-effective option at this time; the full rationale is set out in the attachment to the report.

Councillor Langhorn proposed, seconded by Councillor Kerr

“That the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That having considered the Business Case as set out at Appendix A, Cabinet approves a shared service arrangement for the delivery of the Revenues and Benefits service, with Preston City Council acting as host authority.

(2)        That further reports be presented to Members in due course to address the further details of the governance and contractual arrangements.

(3)        That in due course Personnel Committee be requested to update the Council’s establishment.

(4)        That the Revenue Budget be updated accordingly, including changes in respect of any approved efficiency proposals.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Financial Services

Head of Revenues & Benefits

Reasons for making the decision:

The Business Case demonstrates that there is a strong case for creating a shared service in Revenues and Benefits and highlights opportunities for improving service efficiency at a much reduced cost.  The Officer Project Board has endorsed the Business Case and considers that the full shared service delivery model best meets the needs of both Councils.