Decision details

The Committee considered a report which set out the proposed transformational approach the Council would take to deliver the Cheshire East Council Plan, support the Medium-Term Financial Strategy budget savings of £100m over the next 4 years, and implement the overarching Policy and Strategy Framework.

Officers gave a presentation on the transformation programme at the meeting.

The Chair commented that he would expect there to be extensive briefing of members on the progress of the transformation programme, with members being involved in any major changes. Any significant matters would be taken to the relevant scrutiny committee, with the Corporate Policy Committee having oversight of the process as a whole.

In response to questions from members, the Director of Finance and Customer Services advised that:

§  Zero-based budgeting would be undertaken within specific service areas where this was judged to be appropriate. Benchmarking would be undertaken to identify those areas which were potentially suitable for a zero-based budgeting approach.

§  With regard to the overspend on Dedicated Schools Grant, the interest payments on the total deficit were factored into the forecast budget deficit but not the outstanding DSG deficit itself, which would continue to be treated separately. No assumptions were being made regarding the possible mitigation of the interest payments.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the Committee

1.             approves the transformation approach for the Council;

2.             delegates to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, authority to take all necessary steps to implement a whole organisation transformation programme as outlined in sections 11-19, 24-30 of the report;

3.             agrees that committee and all-member briefings be provided on progress against key milestones of the programme;

4.             notes the S151 Officer’s section 25 report which states that the Council must transform to create sustainable services;

5.             notes the acceptance of the Exceptional Financial Support and recognises the conditions of that support, namely a transformation plan to be provided to DLUHC by 27^th August 2024;

6.             notes the acceptance of an LGA (Local Government Association) grant by the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the rules on Supplementary Revenue Estimates set out within the Council’s constitution;

7.             notes the progress to date on the formation of the transformation programme by the Chief Executive and approves the procurement of Phase 1 and Phase 2 required to facilitate the programme; and

8.             notes the progress of the other activities that are underway that are needed in support of the transformation programme, which include the Decision-Making Accountability work and the LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenge review.