To advise Cabinet of the progress of the two business transformation activities, namely Shared Services and Herefordshire Connects and proposed next steps.

THAT Cabinet:

a)      Note progress made on Shared Services; and

b)     Note that a further key decision report will be brought forward by the end of the financial year setting out options and timelines for the transition to shared services.

To ensure Cabinet are informed of progress.

Do nothing – This approach would prevent the partnership from realising any benefits identified in the Business Case. In order to achieve any savings it would be necessary to apportion cuts to budgets in an arbitrary way with the likelihood of serious negative impact on Service Performance.

Consultation with all members of JMT, together with Heads of Services and Service Managers (for those services the scope of the review) has taken place. An interim progress report was submitted at Cabinet on 30 July, 2009.

As the review encompasses Herefordshire Council, NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Hospitals NHS Trust the recommendations of the review will be submitted through the governance processes for all three organisations.