To update Cabinet on the progress of the Shared Services Review being undertaken by Herefordshire Council, NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Director of Resources presented the report updating Members on the progress of the Shared Services Review, which has been undertaken by the Programme Board comprising of the Council, NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.  Cabinet was advised:

·         That a specialist independent advisor had been secured in the form of PA Consulting.

·         That West Midland Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (WMIEP) was providing financial support in the form of £175,000 to support the review, with the balance being provided by HC and NHS Herefordshire.

·         There were key considerations particularly relating to the public sector financial settlement and the need to secure efficiencies and provide value for money.

·         Of the outline timetable and that a number of models were being reviewed.  Only three organisations were involved presently, but others could be included if appropriate.

·         That the key dependencies for the Shared Services programme include: Herefordshire Connects, the Accommodation and Asset Management Strategy, World Class Commissioning and the Comprehensive Area Assessment.

Concerns were raised regarding the financial package and whether it was in place and the possible serious implications if it were not.  The Director of Resources advised that some issues had been paused and that the Council was looking to use the Aggresso package.  This would help support further improvements in financial reporting.

RESOLVED That: progress to date be noted