Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Finance and Performance).  

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Tony Johnson)

The Corporate Director (Finance and Performance) submitted a report that informed Cabinet of the creation of the Lancashire Improvement and Efficiency Partnership - Team Lancashire, and sought endorsement for the City Council to participate fully within the Partnership and to agree nominations to attend the launch event and, secondly, to agree proposals for Officers to develop a three year Improvement and Efficiency Strategy for the City Council. 

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

Option 1:

To note the new improvement and efficiency framework, endorse the Council’s participation in Team Lancashire, and to develop a three year Improvement and Efficiency Strategy for the Council.

Option 2:

To note the new improvement and efficiency framework but not participate in Team Lancashire and pursue an alternative method of securing improvement and efficiencies.

The Officer preferred option was option 1.

It was moved by Councillor Roger Mace and seconded by Councillor David Kerr:-

“That the recommendations 1, 2 and 4, as set out in the report, be approved.”

By way of amendment it was moved by Councillor Roger Mace and seconded by Councillor David Kerr:-

“That recommendation 3, as set out in the report be approved, and that Councillors Eileen Blamire and Roger Mace be nominated to attend the launch event of Team Lancashire on 10^th July 2008.” 

The meeting were advised of an additional road show organised by the North West Partnership on 11^th July 2008 in Preston. 

By way of further amendment it was moved by Councillor David Kerr and seconded by Councillor Jane Fletcher: -

“That the Budget and Performance Panel be invited to send representatives to the North West Partnership road show in Preston on 11^th July 2008.”

Members then voted as follows.

Resolved:

(8 Members (Councillors Evelyn Archer, Eileen Blamire, Shirley Burns, Abbott Bryning, Jane Fletcher, John Gilbert, David Kerr and Roger Mace) voted in favour and 1 Member (Councillor Jon Barry) abstained from voting)

(1)  That Cabinet note the changes being made in developing a national improvement and efficiency framework. 

(2)     That Cabinet endorse the Council’s participation in the Lancashire Improvement and Efficiency Partnership – Team Lancashire. 

(3)     That Councillors Eileen Blamire and Roger Mace be nominated to attend the launch event of Team Lancashire on 10^th July 2008. 

(4)     That Officers develop a three year Improvement and Efficiency Strategy for the Council. 

(5)     That the Budget and Performance Panel be invited to send representatives to the North West Partnership road show in Preston on 11^th July 2008.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Finance and Performance). 

Reason for making the decision:

The opportunities presented by participating in Team Lancashire would significantly help the City Council to deliver its Corporate Plan savings targets.  The development of a three year Improvement and Efficiency Strategy for the City Council would provide a clear programme of how services will be improved and efficiencies achieved.