Issue - meetings

Committee considered a verbal update from the Head of Organisation & Transformation in relation to the Transformation Programme.

The Transformation Programme had achieved great things since its adoption in late 2018 which would have a lasting positive impact on the Council.  However, it was recognised that Covid19 had significantly changed the context in which the programme operated and the Council needed to be agile and adaptive to the risks and opportunities presented.

The Head of Organisation & Transformation referred to a draft report to be presented to Executive at its meeting in November, which in line with the Covid19 Recovery Plan, would consider and propose a revision to the Transformation Programme for future years.

A summary of the proposed changes to the programme were;

·         Reduction in governance of the programme which was recognised to be resource intensive due to the number and frequency of meetings.

·         Monitoring of historic project ideas would be replaced by monitoring of strategic transformation projects.  There would also be no further ‘open call’ for project ideas from staff which would be replaced with direct engagement with staff on specific issues.

·         Financial savings would be monitored via the existing ‘line by line’ annual budget review process to remove the risk of double counting savings.

·         Strategic Projects included home/agile working; review of vacant space; development of Leisure Infrastructure; Bolsover Homes; Pleasley Vale Mills; Corporate Asset Carbon Reduction; Climate change marketing campaign.

Further strategic projects had been identified and agreed between the Council and the local MP, Mark Fletcher, and these would be added to the list of Transformation Programme Strategic projects as they became closer to a delivery phase.

A Member queried if the agreed strategic projects between the Council and the local MP had been agreed with all Members of Council or only with the Leader, and if the conclusions and reasons as set out at 2.1 in the draft report fitted in with the Ombudsman’s principles of good administrative practices in his report dated May 2020.

The Head of Organisation & Transformation advised Committee that the agreed strategic projects outlined in the draft report were taken from a joint press release between the Leader and the local MP with regard to the aims of the Council.  The Head of Organisation & Transformation would clarify the wording and advise Members.  With regard to Ombudsman best practice, the Head of Organisation & Transformation would also clarify this and advise Members.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Partnerships added that at its inset, the Transformation Programme had brought staff and Members together on how to improve Council services and it was now time to address parish and town councils.  She commended the Head of Organisation & Transformation for his report.

A Member requested that the results from the survey of staff working from home could be provided to all Members.  The Scrutiny & Elections Officer added that the Healthy Safe Clean and Green Communities Scrutiny Committee would also be looking at the results of the survey as part of their review work.