Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2016 were signed as a true record.  There were no matters arising.

Briefing note

Prior to the meeting the Board had visited the new Council-owned office building ‘Friargate which they felt was both worthwhile and informative.

The Board noted an update on the Kickstart programme which set out what had been done in respect of:

·  Construction of new office building within the Friargate Development

·  New Customer Service Centre in Broadgate

·  Investment in Council House as the Civic and Democratic Centre

·  Investment in suburban office buildings

·  Flexible working

·  Rationalisation of Council buildings

·  Construction of Friargate Bridge

·  Communications and Engagement

·  Financial update

·  Readiness and challenges

Members questioned officers on the progress update report particularly in respect of the readiness of staff for the changes ahead. It was noted that in this regard, the Digital Strategy, which detailed digital customer and inclusion, communities, place and workplace, would be presented to Cabinet in February 2017.

Briefing note

The Board received a briefing note which set out the estimated spend for 2016/17 with resourcing plans.

Following discussion it was agreed that the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Board in order for more detailed information on income and source of income as well as expenditure.

RESOLVED that the item be deferred to an additional meeting of the Board to be scheduled in March 2017.

Report of the Executive Director of Resources.

Note:  Following consideration of this matter at his meeting on 15 December 2016, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources approved the following additional recommendation:

“That the Cabinet Member will take into account any comments or recommendations received following consideration of the Strategy by the Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board (1) at their meeting on 25 January 2017”.

The Board received a report of the Executive Director of Resources presenting the Workforce Strategy for 2016-2020.  The report outlined the way forward for the workforce over the next four years and outlined key strategies.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources had received the document at his meeting on 15 December 2016 and had approved the following recommendation:

“That the Cabinet Member will take into account any comments or recommendations received following consideration of the Strategy by the Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board (1) at their meeting on 25 January 2017”

The Board questioned the officer on how she envisaged the strategy developing and in response explained that this represented a joined up workforce strategy, each of the four stages would have their own project team to move them forward.

Following consideration of the report the Board requested that they be included in the progress reporting line along with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources.  In addition, that the Board receives regular reports on the detailed work as it moves forward.

RESOLVED that the Board:

(a)  Request that the Cabinet Member include the Board in the progress reporting process.

(b)  Receive regular reports on the work streams as they progress.

Outstanding issues have been picked up in the Work Programme

There were no outstanding issues.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

In noting the work programme, the Board agreed to schedule an additional meeting in March 2017 to consider the Quarter 3 Capital Programme Report and a progress report on Friargate.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved

There were no other items of business.