Category: Council Excellence

Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee Wirral Council 27th September 2011 Declarations of Interest, You Choose Budget simulator Part 1

The Chair, Cllr Phil Gilchrist welcomed those present to the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He asked councillors if they had any declarations of interest. Cllr Ron Abbey and Cllr Jon Salter declared the same interest in regard to item 7. This was because they are Wirral Council’s representatives on Merseytravel (Merseyside Integrated Transport … Continue reading “Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee Wirral Council 27th September 2011 Declarations of Interest, You Choose Budget simulator Part 1”

The Chair, Cllr Phil Gilchrist welcomed those present to the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He asked councillors if they had any declarations of interest.

Cllr Ron Abbey and Cllr Jon Salter declared the same interest in regard to item 7. This was because they are Wirral Council’s representatives on Merseytravel (Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority) which has previously bid for the Pacific Road Theatre and Arts Centre.

The Chair said he was going to vary the order of the agenda, and take item 8 You Choose Budget consultation first. He also pointed out that there were ninety-one pages of explanatory notes.

Peter Molyneux (Chief Accountant – Financial Services) was there to introduce the report.

At this point (6.05pm) the Vice-Chair Cllr Alan Brighouse arrived. Cllr Steve Foulkes (Cabinet Member for Finance & Best Value) also arrived and sat near the door.

Peter Molyneux demonstrated the budget simulator on the display screen. He said they could only raise Council Tax by 3%, if it was above this it would be capped. Consequences of reducing budgets by 10%, 20% and 50% had been entered into the system. The results were available by place and the public could see some information. There had been 1,334 responses so far.

Cllr Gilchrist asked about the timetable and when data was going to emerge. He said it was open until 30th November 2011. Ian Coleman said that there would be a report in December. Cllr Gilchrist asked if there could be an interim report. Ian Coleman said that there would be no report until it was closed down, interim information was available and all information was available.

Cabinet 1st September 2011 Part 4 – Referral from Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Local Government Resource Review

The Cabinet then considered a referral from the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Local Government Resource Review following its meeting of the 12th July 2011. Cllr Phil Davies said it was a committee referral and the minute from that meeting was included. The response was that Cabinet agreed with all actions, proposed comments and supporting the SIGOMA response about authorities with lower levels of income from business rates. His concern about business rates was that it left Wirral in a difficult position. Ian Coleman reported to Cabinet about the localising of business rates. Mr. Coleman said there had been a consultation in July but eight annexes had not arrived. There would be a report to Cabinet on the 22nd September. A consultation response was required by early October. Cllr Phil Davies asked if they were active through SIGOMA. Cllr George Davies said he sits on SIGOMA, the facts had been resolved so that no-one would be adversely affected in the first year. It would be in the second year that Wirral would be the loser. Ian Coleman confirmed this was correct. Cllr George Davies thanked him. Cllr Phil Davies pointed out the meeting with the Minister on Tuesday and that details would come back to the next Cabinet.

Wirral Council – Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee 12th July 2011 Part 5

Cllr Cox asked where was the value for money? Chris answered that they had to meet the criteria and have the potential to reach senior management. To access the MBA they had to show how they had put past learning into practice and applied it. The key criteria was that external and internal training must be linked to their job. On value for money there had been lots of feedback. She said she had seen employees and been shown the contribution made which had been enhanced significantly. It was expensive, but about value for money they have contributed more as a result of training. They had taken up projects and dissertations as well as taken up topics. The latest cohort had been providing feedback to the Executive Team which had incorporated learning into how they work.

Cllr Doughty said he was new to the Council, but from feedback he said they should have a “pat on the back”. Although she said employees were motivated, in his view it was quite the opposite. He felt they were deflated, under pressure and de-motivated. Cllr Doughty felt the MBA was beyond the aspiration of most council employees. He had talked to employees who had lost colleagues due to the cutbacks. He disputed the comments made and the “haven’t we done well” report. He said it had been a difficult year but this had been self-imposed which had demotivated staff.

Chris replied that the report highlighted various matters and if it underplayed what happened it was not her intent. She agreed it had been a difficult year, but key strategies were in place.

Wirral Council – Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee 12th July 2011 Part 4

Chris Hyams replied that the policy works for home working with a risk assessment, performance management and that it was not a policy but a strategy in how it works and works in practice. She said she could comment on where the policy allowed service drive change and met personal requirements. Cllr Hale congratulated Chris and her colleagues on a full program. Chris thanked Cllr Hale.

Cllr Brighouse said it was a comprehensive report, with some easy to measure outcomes. However there was also some cultural change and he asked how its effectiveness could be measured?

Chris Hyams said there were some measures regarding outputs, however the measurement was how well motivated and how staff performed. The Employment and Appointments Committee had introduced a performance management culture for employees. This had led to a better dialogue about performance and support. Are people contributing to overall performance and how do they feel? This was assessed through feedback and the employee opinion survey. Feedback was used to learn and shape the strategies going forward.

Cllr Brighouse asked about 180 degree assessments. Chris Hyams said 180 degree and 360 degree just look at performance management, because to look at different methods requires feedback. This was not as systematic but an important consideration in performance management.

Cllr Cox said he was all for employee development, but there was a cost of training. E-learning could keep costs down, but for expensive courses what was the criteria to be funded, such as the MBA as not everyone was a leader?

Wirral Council – Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee 12th July 2011 Part 3

She continued by referring to the Coaching Programme, Mentoring Programme and Change Management Training. There were also training programs and on-line learning. For employees who did not usually use IT, there was an IT suite for training. The CQC inspection had also led to a training requirement.

There had been a rollout of the Selfserve system the details had been sent to people’s pigeon holes. 90% of employees lived in the Borough which meant Wirral Council had an impact back into their homes. They were supported to be healthy and in work, there had been work on awareness, the people affected by Early Voluntary Redundancy and Voluntary Severance Scheme had been given details of volunteering and how their skills could be transferred to alternative occupations.

The apprenticeships had been increased to a hundred, they had recruited young people and were converting some posts to the apprenticeship framework. The Graduate Programme had recruited a further eight who were in place and there were also work placement opportunities.

Cllr Gilchrist thanked her for her report and said there were two things especially he wanted to ask questions on. He remembered the Trade Union representatives and the staff who had put pressure on councillors. What was the restructuring policy? What is the structure?

Chris replied that the restructuring had taken place but there had not been a consistent approach. This sets out the rules for example the % of a job that was ringfenced and rules regarding slotting in.

Cllr Gilchrist asked about agile working. He said Ian Brand had explained the opportunities, but he wanted to know about progress made.