Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
To consider the business case for a Shared
Finance and Procurement Service with South Northamptonshire
Council
The Head of Finance and Procurement submitted an exempt report which sought support for the business case to implement some shared finance functions across Cherwell District Council (CDC) and South Northamptonshire Council (SNC).
Resolved
That, subject to approval of the staffing implications by Personnel Committee and similar approval by the respective SNC decision making bodies:
(1) The consultation comments and responses contained in the log be noted.
(2) The business case to implement some shared finance and procurement functions across Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council be endorsed.
(3) Subject to South Northamptonshire Council resolving in similar terms, authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement to take all necessary steps to implement the team in compliance with the Organisational Change Policy and in consultation with the HR Managers at both Councils.
(4) That authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to fund the implementation costs from earmarked reserves.
Reasons
The Option recommended is seen as the proposal that would bring the most benefit to both Councils, would impact on JMT in a timely manner, deliver the required savings and allow a further review once the full impact of the Local Government Resource Review (LGRR), Welfare reform and Localism is known. This would also allow for the shared IT service to be implemented with the full benefits of more streamlined technology being considered in a further review of the finance and procurement function when there is greater certainty.
There are clear benefits to be gained from shared Finance and Procurement functions by both organisations in terms of increased resilience, consistent policies and procedures, best practice across the two authorities, efficiency and effectiveness.
Options
The options are set out in detail in the business case. The approach in the recommendations is believed to be the best way forward
Reason Key: Significant Expenditure or Savings;
Reason No Public Access: Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual Paragraph 2 - Information which is likely to reveal the identity of any individual Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) Paragraph 4 - Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated negotiations, in connection with any labour matters arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or officials, or office holders under, the authority
Other reasons / organisations consulted
The HR elements of the business case will be subject to consultation in line with the Council’s Organisational Change Policy
Contact: Karen Curtin, Commercial Director Email: karen.curtin@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk Tel: 0300 003 0106.
Report author: Karen Curtin
Publication date: 03/04/2012
Date of decision: 02/04/2012
Decided at meeting: 02/04/2012 - Executive
Effective from: 11/04/2012