Agenda item

As part of the Future Tandridge Programme (‘FTP’), each service had undergone a

review process to consider opportunities for improvements, different delivery models and savings needed to address the Council’s significant budget gap in 2023/24.

A report was considered regarding progress to date for the services within the scope of the Community Services Committee. Waste collection and Operational Services (including ‘Localities’) had been the subject of a single consolidated review, an outline business case for which was presented.

The recommendations from the service reviews were to initiate an internal improvement programme and to undertake a market readiness assessment. The assessment would inform a future recommendation to the Committee regarding future service delivery.

Members discussed the need to ensure unintended consequences of changes to service delivery were considered, and officers had the necessary skills in relation to relationship, contract and performance management.

In response to questions from Members, it was confirmed that:

·         The Council was continuing to support the Westway Centre, particularly in relation to lease arrangements.

·         The RAG rating for the operational activities to deliver internal savings would be given an amber status.

·         Additional resource had been brought in to identify meaningful data to inform a decision on the direction of travel. A Council wide resource had also been approved at Strategy and Resources Committees on 29 September for a Business Analyst post to support the identifying of financial information and data to enable full benchmarking. Officers would look at the level of information provided by contractors on invoices for work provided.

·         The vehicle maintenance service supported a range of functions, and the operating structure would be updated to reflect that.

·         Soft market testing would be undertaken before the Committee were asked to consider service delivery models.

·         Work on the grounds maintenance dataset was progressing, and that specific examples of savings would be provided to Members as soon as available.

·         Officers would consider adapting the residents survey in order to capture data on anti-social behaviour.

             R E S O L V E D – that:

A.        the direction of travel for Operational Services, including the twin

          track approach as set out below, be approved:

(i)     Internal Improvement Programme - to initiate a programme to deliver better service outcomes, achieve savings and mitigate operational risks and issues – this will include the redesign of Operational Services, the development of service specifications and associated performance metrics, improvement in technology and an interim restructure of services

(ii)    Market Readiness Preparation – to undertake early market engagement to assess the market readiness and appetite to deliver Operational Services, in whole or in part;

B.      it be noted that the additional resources required to deliver the above activities had been approved by the Strategy & Resources Committee

          on 29th September;

C.      the savings opportunities, risks and key planned milestones included

within the outline business case for Operational Services and the service review summaries for Regulatory Services and Community Partnerships (contained within Appendix 2 to the report and which are subject to further detailed analysis as part of budget considerations for 2023/24) be noted; and

D.      it be noted that a recommendation for decision on the future direction of Operational Services will be presented to the Community Services Committee on either 10th November 2022 or 23rd January 2023.