The Finance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to re-establish the sub-group looking at local authority funding and resourcing challenges, and discussed the transformation programme and asset management strategy. The committee also received an update from Councillor David Leaf, Cabinet Member for Resources, on financial matters, including the household support fund and the fair funding review.

Transformation Programme

The committee discussed the council's approach to transformation, as detailed in the Transformation Programme report, which combines investment in strategic programmes with in-service improvement activity. The report outlined a challenging financial outlook, requiring a proactive response to ensure value for money and high-quality services.

Councillor Steven Hall asked about communication around the cultural change programme, and Mark Grimley, who at the time was Interim Transformation Lead, said that communication was key to the change process. He said that the council had set up a web page on Beehive, its intranet, and introduced a concept called the broadcast, with over 800 staff attending the first one.

Councillor Chris Ball raised concerns about the cultural change, and asked why not the whole cabinet was involved in the oversight proposals. Councillor David Leaf responded that cabinet members would focus on elements within their portfolios. Mark Grimley added that the council had worked with colleagues to do an analysis of where they thought they were, using the LGA 7Cs¹ to inform the programme. Councillor Stefano Borella raised the issue of ownership of the programme, and said that he felt that the chief executive and the director of finance had the ultimate responsibility. He also said that he thought scrutiny needed to look at this regularly. Councillor David Leaf responded that the Transformation Board is chaired by the chief executive, and that each of the main programmes has a programme sponsor and a responsible officer.

Councillor Howard Jackson raised concerns about the speed of the transformation agenda, and said that he felt that the council was not moving fast enough. Councillor David Leaf responded that there was a slight risk aversion because it was taxpayers' money at stake. Mark Grimley added that there was risk appetite within the Transformation Board to move faster, but that it was important to walk before you run.

Councillor Larry Ferguson asked about insourcing things, and Councillor David Leaf responded that about 55% of the council's spend was done through third parties, and that when contracts came up for review, they would look at whether insourcing was an option. Ross Brown, Director of Finance, added that delivery model assessments would allow for that challenge from an internal perspective versus external.

Councillor Steven Hall asked about the efficiencies that were being raised this time, and Mark Grimley responded that they were looking at processes, decision making, speed, and automation, and also how data and intelligence could lead their thinking into shaping services differently.

Asset Management Strategy 2025-2029

The committee then discussed the Asset Management Strategy 2025-2029, as detailed in the Asset Management Strategy presentation.

Councillor Steven Hall asked about the key risks to the delivery of this strategy, and Alan McCarthy responded that one of the key aspects of it was undertaking an asset challenge process with all the service directorates. Ross Brown added that there would need to be a conscious prioritisation of where the council chose to deploy its time and activity.

Councillor Stefano Borella noted that there were two different figures for the number of assets, and Alan McCarthy responded that the portfolio size was actually 690 assets, not 750, as a data cleansing exercise had taken place. Councillor Stefano Borella also asked for some detail on the condition of the council's assets, and Councillor David Leaf responded that work was in progress to consolidate that information to better inform members.

Councillor Larry Ferguson asked if any conversations had taken place about whether any assets might be sold to relieve the council's financial situation, and Councillor David Leaf responded that the council did have a disposals programme, and that some of those sites were in the Bextico pipeline. Ross Brown added that the strategy was transparent about the fact that the council would be considering the continued need of holding assets that were found to be in a certain condition.

Councillor Chris Ball picked up on the point that Councillor Howard Jackson made earlier about missing out on an opportunity to realise funds, and said that the timescales just seemed incredibly long. Nikki Morris responded that the council was looking at the capacity of the property team, and that they had increased the capacity at the head of service level.

Councillor Nick O'Hare said that the map on page 83 was very confusing, and asked if it was possible to have a coloured code so it was clearer. Ross Brown responded that the information was actually available online, and that the maps there were just for illustration.

Cabinet Member Update

Councillor David Leaf provided an update on financial matters. He said that the household support fund was starting to be deployed, and that the government had listened to lobbying from local authorities and others and had put this on a medium-term footing through the spending review. He also said that the council was working through the analysis around the fair funding review, and that it was a very detailed consultation.

Councillor Steven Hall asked for some clarity on the employment rights bill and its impact on local authorities, and Councillor David Leaf responded that it had generated a lot of interest in local government circles, and that there were some specific areas that would directly affect local government more so than other sectors of the economy.

Councillor Stefano Borella said that he welcomed the employment rights bill, and that he thought it would strengthen workers' rights. Councillor David Leaf responded that there were significant risks to local government on the costs and risks in terms of pay negotiations, and that those were risks that the council needed to look at and be cognizant of.

Work Programme

The committee agreed to re-establish the Local Authority Funding and Resourcing Challenges scrutiny sub-group.