Meeting documents

To consider Report No. WSC 93/18, to be presented by the Leader of the Council, Councillor A Trollope-Bellew and Lead Member for Resources and Central Support, Councillor M Dewdney – SEE ATTACHED.

The purpose of the report is to request additional funding for the Transformation programme. The revised Business Case increases the savings from £3.1m to £3.5m with a revised investment of circa £9.5m delivering an attractive return of investment whilst protecting front line services and improving the customer experience.

(Report No. WSC 93/18, circulated with the Agenda.)

The purpose of the report was to request additional funding for the Transformation programme. The revised Business Case increases the savings from £3.1m to £3.5m with a revised investment of circa £9.5m delivering an attractive return of investment whilst protecting front line services and improving the customer experience.

The Lead Member for Resources and Central Support presented the item and outlined the details of the report.  He went on to propose the recommendations of the report which were seconded by Councillor C Morgan.

A lengthy debate ensued and the main points of discussion focussed on:

·         Particular points and concerns were raised regarding the budget, design and expertise in relation to the ICT project, and these were answered in detail by officers.  There would be no change to the current ICT project plans or to the impact on the users.  It was also confirmed that there would be contingency in the budget to enable pre-testing to be undertaken before the new technology went live to the customer.

·         It was emphasised that there would be no reduction to service standards and whilst in the short term during transition there could be an impact on front line services, in the long term, transformation should improve the customer experience.

·         A written answer would be provided as to which budget would be used to fund the audio visual equipment for the Deane House council chamber.

·         The Section 151 Officer responded to a question on savings and highlighted that the revised budget total for the transformation programme was contained within the report and was a good estimate as to what the final position would be.

·         The figures contained within the report were welcomed as it was important to understand how much had been spent on the project to date.

·         Questions were asked about the Council’s ability to now be able to fund the additional spending needed for transformation, and concerns were expressed on the planned use of earmarked reserves. 

·         An assurance was provided on the process for identifying the reserves, and, as a result of the good financial decisions taken over the last few years by Members, opportunities were being taken to reprioritise and the council was currently in a resilient position to fund an additional one-off cost which would provide ongoing financial benefits to the general fund and the housing revenue account.

·         The impact of the inclusion of the DLO in the transformation programme was raised.

RESOLVED (1) that an increase to the Transformation Programme Budget of £2.387m be noted, and funding of £507k for West Somerset Council General Fund be approved. (Note £1.277m to be funded by TDBC Council General Fund and £603k by TDBC HRA.).

RESOLVED (2) that an increase to service budgets for transitional costs totalling £685k be noted, and funding of £121k for West Somerset Council General Fund be approved. (Note £386k to be funded by TDBC General Fund and £178k for TDBC HRA.)

RESOLVED (3) that the proposed increase of the annual savings target by £348k to £3.5m be supported.

RESOLVED (4) that it be noted that the Shadow Executive will consider basis for allocating increased savings target within the new Council’s Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan.

In recognition of this being the last meeting which the Chief Executive would attend, the Chairman took the opportunity to express his sincere appreciation and thanked Penny for her achievements and long service to both Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council presenting her with a gift and wishing her well for the future.