Best Value Performance & Efficiency Sub-committee Of The Policy & Resources Committee - 26/02/2002
At a MEETING of the BEST VALUE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 26th February, 2002.
Present:-
COUNCILLORS
Julia STURROCK, George REGAN, Dave BEATTIE, Allan PETRIE and Bruce MACKIE.
Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.
Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.
I INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT - BEST VALUE REVIEW 2002/2001
There was submitted Report No. 171-2002 by the Chief Executive reporting on the result of a Best Value Review into Insurance and Risk Management Services administered by the Director of Finance.
The Review accounted for 2% of the Department's Revenue Budget at a net budget cost examined of 216,000.
The Sub-Committee approved the following recommendations:-
(a)To continue the Council's existing Insurance and Risk Management strategy;
(b)To agree to the establishment of a Management Information User Group by 31st March, 2002;
(c)To authorise the Director of Finance to examine in conjunction with Information Technology how the use of e-mail, direct billing and system interfaces may speed the claims handling function;
(d)To remit the Director of Finance to examine ways in which the Risk Management Budget may be increased from its existing level of 75,000 over the next three years.
II INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SERVICE - BEST VALUE REVIEW 2000/2001
There was submitted Report No. 433-2001 by the Chief Executive indicating the manner in which the Information and Research Service provided within the Planning and Transportation Department had been reviewed and presenting the conclusions further to consultation with key stakeholders and option appraisal.
The Review accounted for 2.85% (240,000) of the Department's Revenue Budget and was 7.7% of the total review expenditure planned in the Department this year.
The Sub-Committee approved the following recommendations:-
(a)To agree the outcome of the Review as contained in the report and specifically the following proposal:-
that the Information and Research Service should continue to be operated and managed as currently, subject to the continuous improvements indicated in the report.
(b) To note those areas identified for continuous improvement in Section 13 of the report.
III BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONSENT SERVICE WITHIN THE PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATIONDEPARTMENT
There was submitted Report No. 161-2002 by the Chief Executive reporting on the Best Value Review of the Road Construction Consent Service provided within the Planning and Transportation Department.
The Review accounted for 1.15% (95,800) of the Department's Revenue Budget and was 3.2% of the total review expenditure planned in the Department in this financial year.
The Sub-Committee agreed the outcome of the Review as contained in the report and noted those areas identified for continuous improvement in Section 13 of the report.
IV BEST VALUE REVIEW - THE ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICE WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTIONDEPARTMENT
There was submitted Report No. 153-2002 by the Chief Executive setting out the findings of the Best Value Review of the Animal Control Service provided by the Environmental and Consumer Protection Department.
The Review accounted for 1% of the Department's Revenue Budget in the financial year 2001/2002 and 13% of the total expenditure planned by the Department this year.
The Sub-Committee agreed that the Animal Control Service should continue to be provided in-house by the Environmental and Consumer Protection Department and noted the Director's proposals for continuous improvement as outlined in Section 13 of the report.
V BEST VALUE REVIEW OF LOCHEE SWIMMING AND LEISURE CENTRE
There was submitted Report No. 154-2002 by the Chief Executive reporting on the outcome of a Best Value Review into Lochee Swimming and Leisure Centre conducted by the Leisure and Parks Department as part of the Council's Best Value Review process.
The Review accounted for 2.3% of the Department's gross Revenue Budget in financial year 2000/2001 amounting to 292,000 and 5.1% of the total revenue expenditure reviewed by the Department this year.
The Sub-Committee approved the outcome of the Review as contained in the report and noted the areas identified for continuous improvement in Section 13 of the report.
VI BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICE
There was submitted Report No. 172-2002 by the Chief Executive reporting on the outcome of a Best Value Review into the Occupational Therapy Service provided by the Social Work Department.
The Review accounted for 1.5% of the Department's Revenue Budget at a budget cost examined of 663,000 and this represented 24% of the expenditure reviewed in the Department in 1999/2000.
The Sub-Committee approved the following recommendations:-
(a)That the Director of Social Work works with representatives of the Health Board and Trusts to further improve arrangements for service delivery; and
? agree areas of duplication and a strategy for their removal by the further development of joint working arrangements
? agree options for further integration of services
? agree options for pooled budgets with an objective of improved service efficiency
(b) That an Occupational Therapy Forum be established to assist the Department in:
? development and maintenance of standards for the delivery of occupational therapy services
? the further development of user information
? the development of performance standards
? utilising research to inform the development of services
The Forum to comprise representatives from:
? service users
? carers
? elected members
? occupational therapy staff
? senior social work managers
(c)That the Director of Social Work acts on the recommendation of the Tayside Primary Care Trust's Community Loan Equipment Review particularly to establish integration of store facilities.
(d)That the Sub-Committee agree with the proposals for continuous improvements.
In summary, these cover:
? reduction in waiting times
? establishment of an occupational therapy forum
? improvement in public information
? greater integration with Health and other Community Care Services
? more robust stock control
VII BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE MACKINNON CENTRE
There was submitted Report No. 176-2002 by the Chief Executive reporting on the outcome of a Best Value Review into the Social Work Department's MacKinnon Centre.
This Review accounted for 1.05% of the Department's Revenue Budget at a budget cost examined of 850,300 (9% of the total Review expenditure).
The Sub-Committee approved the following recommendations:-
(a)That the MacKinnon Centre should continue to provide and support a range of services to people with physical disabilities whilst continuing to support the development of the range of choices and opportunities available in the community.
(b)That the Sub-Committee agrees with the proposals for continuous improvement which cover the following points:-
? increase the number of service users
? increase the number of new users
? improve the individual focus of service delivery
? improve the quality of information service
? improve support for carers
? increase public awareness of disability through training and links with voluntary organisations
VIII BEST VALUE REVIEW OF DAY SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WORKDEPARTMENT 1999/2000
This item was withdrawn from the agenda and will be considered at a later date.
IX BEST VALUE REVIEW OF STAFFING LEVELS
There was submitted Report No. 127-2002 by the Chief Executive setting out proposals to examine staffing levels throughout the Council as part of the Council's Best Value Review process.
There were no immediate financial implications. The Review would establish whether there was any potential to reduce staffing levels within the Council and whether the statistical returns to the COSLA/Scottish Executive Joint Staffing Watch were an accurate reflection of the Council's staffing complement.
As this was a thematic review across all Departments, it was proposed that the Working Group would consist of the Chief Executive as Chairperson, the Director of Personnel and Management Services, the Director of Corporate Planning with additional officer support as appropriate. Representation from Elected Members to be on the basis of 2:2:1:1 and a trade union representation consisting of one representative from APT&C employees, one representative from manual/craft employees and one representative from teachers. It was expected that service department staff would be invited to attend when needed to assist scrutiny of policies and procedures within their Department.
The Sub-Committee agreed that the staffing levels throughout the Council should be reviewed in line with Best Value noting that benchmarking was the appropriate tool and the Working Group would have the authority to set up appropriate procedures to obtain the information required and conduct pilot projects if necessary.
X BEST VALUE REVIEW OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT
There was submitted Report No. 125-2002 by the Chief Executive proposing that the Council's performance in respect of Energy Management be reviewed in this financial year as part of the Council's Best Value Review Process in order to upgrade performance and achieve significant energy savings.
The Review accounted for a significant proportion of the Council's Revenue Budget and would look across all Departments of the Council in order to achieve economies of scale.
As this was a thematic review across all Council property, it was proposed that the Working Group would consist of the Chief Executive as Chairperson of the Working Group, the Director of Economic Development, the Director of Corporate Planning and the City Architectural Services Officer with other staff as appropriate. The intention was to invite all Departments over a period of time to attend the Working Group to outline what they were doing, how they could speed up energy savings/development and what help or assistance they would require.
It was proposed that representatives from Elected Members be on the basis of the Leader of the Administration and the Convener of the Economic Development Committee (or their representatives) plus two members of the Majority Opposition Group, one member of the Minority Opposition Group and one non-aligned member.
The Sub-Committee agreed that Energy Management should be reviewed in line with Best Value. In addition, the Sub-Committee noted that market testing and possible benchmarking were appropriate tools and the Working Group would recommend appropriate procedures to obtain the information required and to identify possible pilot projects.
JULIA STURROCK, Convener.