The purpose of this report is for Cabinet to consider the:

·         Closure of the Rising to the Challenge  Programme;

·         Progress on the implementation of the Root and Branch Reviews;

·         Outstanding actions from the Root and Branch Reviews and proposals for the Herefordshire 2020 Review.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented his report on Rising to the Challenge and Root & Branch Review Programmes and advised of three aspects Cabinet needed to consider:

·         Closure of the Rising to the Challenge programme;

·         Progress on the implementation of the Root & Branch reviews; and

·         Outstanding actions from the Root & Branch reviews and proposals for the Herefordshire 2020 review.

 In discussion the following points were made:

·         It was felt that communication was needed with grass roots employees for everyone to buy into the process.

·         Concern was raised over discretionary spend.

·         Need to ensure that all Members are aware of the issues.

·         Cannot continue working as currently are with the possibility of 50% reduction in funding.

·         Parish Councils are being informed of cuts.  Members need to provide help and support to their Parish Councils.  It was felt that Parish Councils were not aware of the urgency of the 2020 Review.

·         Review taking place on discretionary spend in directorates.

·         Need to agree care services that can be provided effectively and efficiently.

·         Post 16 travel – moving towards full cost recovery, however, looking to minimise the costs to families as much as possible.

·         In response to a question on the Local Enterprise Partnership / Hereford Enterprise Zone the Cabinet Member Environment, Housing and Planning advised that an overall redesign and restructure was proposed and work on this was being carried out with colleagues using government funding and match funding.

·         It was noted that the consultation on the proposed move to fortnightly waste collection had received an even spread of views from residents and negotiations to move to fortnightly collections were currently being carried out. If successful this would create a significant saving for the Council.

·         In referring to the key point summary of the report concern was raised over the delivered savings of £21m.  It was felt the Council was not delivering on the behavioural changes referred to at paragraph 10.6 of the report.

·         Concerns were also raised over the transformation team and the potential risk in having the team as part of Hoople.  Cabinet noted that transformational change of how to deliver services was difficult, but also a key area of work.

·         Cabinet was reminded that the Council was in unprecedented times and all local authorities were having to deal with a similar financial situation.  There needed to be a refocus to provide a smaller number of services well.  This needed to be reflected to the public clearly as Herefordshire could face government cuts of up to 50% of funding.  Proposals for the new smaller service provision would be clarified by the end of April and a timetable put together for the next three years.

·         General Overview and Scrutiny recommendations, which were in agreement with the recommendations of the Cabinet report, were noted.

RESOLVED

THAT:

a)    the achievements and lessons learned from the Rising to the Challenge Programme as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

b)    progress with the implementation of the Root & Branch Reviews as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be noted;

c)    the relevant directors be authorised to jointly produce and implement delivery plans for the phase 2 and 3 reviews and report to Cabinet or Cabinet Member(s) as appropriate; and

d)    it be agreed that the scope of the Herefordshire 2020 Review be extended to include all remaining work from the review programme as set out in paragraphs 10.8 to 10.14 of the report.