Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Finance Officer / Section 151 Officer

Purpose of report

This report presents the final business case following consultation for a joint Revenues and Benefits service across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils (hereafter “Cherwell” or “CDC” and “South Northamptonshire” or “SNC” respectively).

The report recommends the formation of a two way joint Revenues and Benefits service and in doing so seeks the Executive’s agreement for the non-staffing elements of the business case.

The proposal is part of the wider transformation programme across the two Councils.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To consider the attached final business case and the consultation responses in relation to non-staffing matters as outlined in section 5.1.

1.2         To note that the business case will be considered by the Joint Commissioning Committee with regard to staffing matters on 26 May 2016. This will include consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

1.3         To approve and implement the proposed final business case to share a joint Revenues and Benefits Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 13 June 2016 and approval of the staffing implications by the Joint Commissioning Committee.

1.4         To delegate to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council any non-significant amendment that may be required to the business case following the decision by SNC Cabinet and/or the Joint Commissioning Committee.

1.5         To approve the allocation of £200,000 from general fund balances to cover 50% of the implementation costs.

Resolved

(1)          That the final business case for a Joint Revenues and Benefits Service with South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) and the consultation responses in relation to non-staffing matters be considered.

(2)          That it be noted that the business case was approved by the Joint Commissioning Committee with regard to staffing matters on 26 May 2016 and that this included consideration of consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

(3)          That the proposed final business case to share a joint Revenues and Benefits Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 13 June 2016, be approved and implemented.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any non-significant amendment that may be required to the business case following the decision by SNC Cabinet.

(5)          That the allocation of £200,000 from general fund balances to cover 50% of the implementation costs be approved.

The Chief Finance Officer / Section 151 Officer submitted a report which presented the final business case following consultation for a joint Revenues and Benefits service across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils and sought approval for the non-staffing elements of the business case.

The proposal was part of the wider transformation programme across the two Councils.

Resolved

(1)          That the final business case for a Joint Revenues and Benefits Service with South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) and the consultation responses in relation to non-staffing matters be considered.

(2)          That it be noted that the business case was approved by the Joint Commissioning Committee with regard to staffing matters on 26 May 2016 and that this included consideration of consultation responses from affected staff and trade union representatives.

(3)          That the proposed final business case to share a joint Revenues and Benefits Service between CDC and SNC, subject to similar consideration and approval by SNC Cabinet on 13 June 2016, be approved and implemented.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any non-significant amendment that may be required to the business case following the decision by SNC Cabinet.

(5)          That the allocation of £200,000 from general fund balances to cover 50% of the implementation costs be approved.

Reasons

The proposal is to establish a Joint Revenues and Benefits service between CDC and SNC which will deliver significant financial and operational benefits.

The business case sets out the significant financial and operational benefits to establishing the proposed joint service.

Alternative options

Option1: Status Quo (No Change)

Following the decision taken by CDC Executive on 7 September 2015, retaining the status quo is no longer an option for CDC who will be insourcing the Revenues and Benefits service in 2017. While retaining the status quo is an option for SNC, it is not considered an appropriate option given the benefits and savings associated with delivering a joint service with CDC.

Option 2: Three-way Shared Service with Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC)

A three-way shared service with SDC is no longer a realistic option although serious consideration was previously given to this option.

Due to the different visions and strategic priorities of the three Councils regarding how to meet the financial challenges and respond to regional opportunities for devolution it has been agreed that no further three-way business cases are prepared.