Shared Services
To receive a presentation from Jackie Gray, Shared Services Manager.
Minutes:
Jackie Gray, Shared Services Manager, attended the meeting to provide an overview of Cheshire Shared Services. Within this, she covered the journey of Shared Services including the current situation, governance structures, achievements and finally, possible future steps.
It was reported that there were 32 shared services with a total budget of £66,763,487 with 1,480 FTE staff. It was explained that these had been split into three types. Firstly, some services were considered in the ‘transitional’ stage which simply meant that they were shared as an interim arrangement until it had been decided where exactly services would eventually sit. Secondly, some services were currently being reviewed to find out the best way forward and these were considered as ‘potentially shared’ services. Finally, some services were considered ‘long term shared’. It was explained that these were considered to be operationally and financially beneficial to the Council.
Attention was drawn to a number of underpinning documents which support Cheshire Shared Services. Of particular attention was the ‘Secondment Agreement’ as it was explained that this had caused a number of HR issues. The point was made by a number of Members that if staff were to be moved around due to changes in Shared Services, then endeavours would have to be made to make sure that they were supported adequately during a potentially difficult time.
Jackie continued to explain the current governance arrangements of Cheshire Shared Services. It was reported that the Committee consisted of three Cabinet members from both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester authorities. It was queried how Members, not involved in the Joint Committee, would gain access to information regarding the actions of the Committee. It was felt that there was insufficient information being cascaded from the Joint Committee to Members and this was something that needed to be improved. As an example of this lack of information, it was mentioned that Members had not been made aware of the closing of the International Unit and the possible consequences of this.
A number of suggestions were made that would attempt to reduce the distance between Members and the services which lay in Shared Services. Firstly, it was proposed that it would be useful if the minutes of the Joint Committee, currently published on the Cheshire West and Chester website, could be circulated to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. Secondly, it was suggested that information on shared services, including a list of scheduled meetings, would be placed on Members Bulletins. Finally, the Committee suggested that a Member of the Joint Committee would come to a Corporate Scrutiny meeting to report on shared services.
In describing the ‘next steps’ for Cheshire Shared Services, it was reported that there was an idea being explored around setting up a separate legal entity or ‘arms length body’. These would possibly be set up around HR, ICT and Occupational Health services and further opportunities may be available to provide back office for GP consortiums.
RESOLVED –
a) That the presentation be received and noted
b) That ... view the full minutes text for item 63