To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 August 2015 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 August 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to the amendment to reflect that Telereal Trillium would be supporting the Council with developments on land east of Arlesey.

Cllr Duckett as a member of his family lived in sheltered housing accommodation.

The Chairman informed the Committee the Overview and Scrutiny Coordination Panel (OSCP) had agreed that a more collaborative approach to scrutiny, recognising the cross-cutting nature of the 5 Year Plan was necessary. This collaborative approach would require Members and officers to work differently and across the current committee structure. A trial of this approach would be undertaken with the Corporate Resources OSC, proposals for which would be presented to the Committee in December

In addition the Chairman confirmed that an item on Superfast Broadband would be considered at the Sustainable Communities OSC as it fell within the remit of the Regeneration and Business Directorate.

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To receive a brief verbal update from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources.

The Executive Member for Improvement and Corporate Resources informed the Committee that upgraded IT infrastructure would be available in Council offices from December 2015 including upgraded Wi-Fi, use of tablets and mobile devices and changes to telephony systems, which would ensure improvements for staff and customers.

In addition the Executive Member confirmed the Five Year Plan would be considered at full Council in November 2015 and a subsequent report regarding programme management arrangements would be considered by the Committee in December 2015. A learning and development session had also been organised for Members on 11 December 2015 with regards to Scrutiny and Challenge.

To receive a presentation regarding Partnering Legal Services.

The Director of Improvement and Corporate Services delivered a presentation regarding proposals to partner legal services incorporating the challenges, costs and available options with regards to process.

In light of questions from Members the Director confirmed that existing staff would be TUPE’d to the new employer but would remain based within Council offices.

The proposed operating model allowed for CBC cases to be prioritised so to safeguard working practices and the reputation of the Council. The proposed. working model would increase the staff pool enabling access to expertise in areas in which CBC was currently lacking resources. The model would also provide more opportunity for senior staff to generate fees and increase income streams.

Several Members stated a preference to train existing staff rather than outsourcing and expressed concerns regards the speed of this process. In response the Director and Executive Member assured the Committee that no decisions had been made and scrutiny were being provided the opportunity to comment before any decisions were taken. It was important to progress the issue in order to identify cost savings with regards to the budget and begin the process to meet requisite timescales.

In light of the conversation several Members of the Committee endorsed the proposals as they felt it would increase productivity and generate additional income for the Council.

RECOMMENDED that the proposal be considered by the Executive and an update be submitted to the Committee for further scrutiny on 15 December 2015.

To receive the directorate's relevant fees and charges information, noting the Executive proposals and influencing where appropriate changes to the fees and charges prior to Council.

Full details are available on the Executive Papers dated 06 October 2016 http://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=4919&Ver=4v.

Attached are the relevant appendices A, B, C, D, E and Supplementary.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources introduced the fees and charges that related to the Directorate.

Members of the Committee raised concerns regarding proposed car parking charges in Dunstable and the cost of licensing charges, which appeared lower than other neighbouring authorities. Members also sought clarification with regards to income streams relating to Children’s Services in light of which the Chief Finance Officer confirmed that monies would be allocated to the Children’s Services Directorate with the exception of IT income which went to Improvement and Corporate Services.

Members also queried whether charges relating to the Registrars service could be increased and it was confirmed that they were set at a market comparable rate in order to encourage use in Bedfordshire.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee endorse the Directorate fees and charges but recommend that the Sustainable Communities OSC consider the detail regarding car parking charges in Dunstable and licensing fees.

NOTED the recommendations agreed by the Children’s Services and Social Care, Health and Housing OSC.

RECOMMENDED that the Corporate Resources OSC Work Programme be agreed subject to the addition of the following items:-

·           IT Strategy in December 2015

·           Partnering Legal Services Bid in December 2015

·           Collaborative Working Trial in December 2015

·           Digital Transformation Strategy in February 2016.