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V28-545 : STEERING THE COUNCIL THROUGH ORGANISATIONAL AND BUDGETARY REVIEW

The report of the Chief Executive dealt with the next phase of the organisational review following the approval of the strategic direction and objectives for the organisation by The Executive in July 2000. The report was considered by The Executive at its meeting on 12 October 2000 when it was resolved that detailed discussions on the review be undertaken by each of the Policy Panels, and their proposals reported to The Executive on 9 November 2000 for debate.

The report also summarised the conclusions of the Organisation Review Days held on 2 and 3 October 2000, and sought members' views on this work.

Before the debate commenced the Chairman reminded members of the £800K shortfall facing the Council and emphasised that decisions on the organisational review would clearly need to be made in conjunction with the budget. He felt there were several possible budget approaches including sticking to core services, taking a social priority approach, and concentrating on what the Council did best.

The Corporate Director (Community Services) reminded members that as well as the budget review, there was also the organisational review to consider to meet the requirements of modernisation and Best Value. The Panel should identify which key result areas were important to the Regeneration portfolio, and then look at the suggested work of that portfolio and decide what should and should not be there based on the key result areas.

Regarding the key result areas, members felt that areas 1, 2, 4 and 5 (ambition and community leadership; regeneration and economic development; economic viability; and service delivery, standards and timescales) were important as far the Regeneration portfolio was concerned. Regarding the suggested work areas of the portfolio, they felt this should be a developmental and strategic policy role rather than operational.

Finally, members were unsure how valuable the appointment of a consultant would be. The Council should have sufficient confidence in the new Chief Executive and Corporate Directors to advise on the effect of any changes on service delivery, and a decision on whether to appoint consultants should therefore be deferred until the majority view was known.

RESOLVED

1. That the comments of the Panel outlined above relating to the organisational and budgetary review be considered by The Executive on 9 November 2000.

2. That The Executive be requested to reconsider their decision to appoint consultants to examine and advise the Council on the effect of changes on service delivery until completion of the consultation exercise.

The meeting was concluded at 9.20pm.

Chairman
REGENERATION AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY PANEL - 24/10/00

REGENERATION AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY PANEL - 24/10/00

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Volume 28 Minute 544

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