Share Services Scrutiny

I was asked to chair my second member led review. The subject was shared services. The idea being that we share the costs and benefits of back office functions with Northamptonshire. This has been talked about for a number of years and was reaching the point where a decision was imminent.

There has been plenty of scrutiny over the years but much of it was very general and not in any great detail. The model had evolved, over time, and needed to reflect the current economic crisis. In order to make the savings sharing services must translate into job losses. This affect people so when a decision is likely then the process must go forward as quickly as possible so that any uncertainty is kept to a minimum.

This time chairing this member led review would be more complicated as it would involve members not just from Cambridgeshire but also from Northamptonshire. We met a number of times to scrutinise the outline business case and then the detailed business case. We were able to robustly question officers and cabinet members from both County Councils.

I started from a sceptical position concerned that the savings seemed modest compared to the organisational change required to make them. However, over the scrutiny process it felt like the business case stacked up. I am sure that somethings will not happen as expected and additional costs will crop up, they always seem to, but it was evident that further saving above and beyond those highlighted are likely.

Our cross party and cross council member led review made a number of recommendations but were supportive of the initiative. I presented our report at cabinet and was faced with the cabinet response paper that dealt with most of our concerns but not all. Cabinet agreed not to recommend shared services to full council until these concerns had been ironed out between myself, the cabinet member and the relevant officer. I am pleased to say all our recommendations were finally accepted and the report was presented to full council where it was approved.

Fulbourn Day Care Center – Update

A steering group meeting was held today. It was seeking to explore how and if day care provision could be provided in some sort of community / council partnership. I fear that this will be a particularly difficult and complex issue to resolve given the vulnerable people involved and the level of responsibility that will be required to maintain this facility. What we all have to reflect on the families involved and how they are affected.

I arranged for some early meetings between the community and the Executive Director for Adult Services which opened the door for exploring community based provision. What is clear is that the current model will not continue as the current provider does not wish to renew this contract.

Little Wilbraham July 2010 parish report

Library Access Points:  Following a great deal of hard work the County has managed to save all Library Access Points.  There will be changes revolving around stock etc and each LAP will have to sign a new agreement with the Council.  These will be agreed individually. It will mean that some LAPS will have to become more efficient to meet their targets.

Mobile Libraries: A plan to save £200,000 from the mobile service has been drawn up. There will be a reduction in the number of visits, most to one a month. Where there is currently a service it will be retained at a reduced level of service.

Libraries: The County has announced the review publicly and will be going out to consultation very shortly. They are planning to hold one consultation meeting in each district.  It is important to remember that no closures are planned. The whole operation will be reviewed to see what savings can be made. The County is looking at £2.1 million in efficiency savings over the next three years. If the target our target then a further review of library provision may have to be made.

Integrated Planning Funding Update: As you know there has been a significant tightening of  the belt this year as a result of reduced funding. It is set to get worse. The governments emergency budget, whilst not yet fully understood, is likely to reduce funding by up to £9m a year on top of the savings already made. A lot of very tough decisions are going to have to be made and it will get tougher.

Kick Ash: Trading Standards have been involved in the very successful launch on 25 June of Kick Ash at Bottisham Village College.  This project is a smoking prevention programme designed to make the under 16′s more aware of the risks of smoking and is being led by young people for young people.  The programme will be rolled out to 10 Cambridgeshire secondary schools  and their local communities over the next three years.  The key aspect of this programme is that the young people themselves become mentors in their schools and communities and so the programme should be self sustaining and have a real impact on young people’s smoking related behaviour.

School expansions approved: Plans have been approved to increase the size of six primary schools in Cambridgeshire to cater for an expected rise in pupil numbers. Cabinet has agreed the proposed expansions of the six schools, providing an additional 170 places across the county.

* Abbey Meadows Primary School, Cambridge – an extra 30 Reception places from September 2010
* Colville Primary School, Cambridge – an extra 30 Reception places from September 2010
* Spring Meadow Primary School, Ely – an extra 30 reception places from September 2010
* The Weatheralls Primary School, Soham – an extra 30 Reception places from September 2010
* St John’s C of E Primary School, Huntingdon – an extra 30 reception places from September 2010
* Pendragon Primary School, Papworth Everard – an extra 20 reception places from September 2011

Library Access Points – Reprieve

Following a great deal of hard work the County has managed to save all Library Access Points.  There will be changes revolving around stock etc and each LAP will have to sign a new agreement with the Council.  These will be agreed individually. It will mean that some LAPS will have to become more efficient to meet their targets.

I was very grateful to Sir Peter Brown for listening to my plea to retain this service.  I am sure the meeting we had with Sir Peter and the Fulbourn LAP team went a long way to persuading everyone what an excellent service it is.

Integrated Planning Funding – Update

As you know there has been a significant tightening of  the belt this year as a result of reduced funding. It is set to get worse. The governments emergency budget, whilst not yet fully understood, is likely to reduce funding by up to £9m a year on top of the savings already made. A lot of very tough decisions are going to have to be made and it will get tougher.