Executive
Fundamental Review:
Progress report
Report by:
John O’Brien
Date:
4 June 2007
Contact
Officer:
Guy Ware
Telephone:
020 7934 9697
Item no: 8
Job title:
Chief Executive
Email:
[email protected]
Summary
The Executive has previously agreed an outline approach to reviewing the
future role, purpose and structure of London Councils. This report
presents a brief overview of progress to date.
Recommendations
To note the progress to date and the outline timetable for completion of
the review.
Background
1.
On 23rd April, Executive agreed an outline approach to reviewing the future role and purpose
of London Councils, its key objectives and areas of relative priority for the next 3-5 year
period. It will identify and evaluate potential core roles, including:
o Representative, leader, lobbyist and campaigner on behalf of member authorities and
those that they serve;
o Provider of support and services to member authorities;
o Catalyst/hub for mutually beneficial collaboration between councils and between
councils and their partners.
2.
Executive agreed that the Review should be completed by October, and to take regular
interim reports on progress. This is the first such progress report.
Current activity
3.
Key preparatory activities have been completed or are underway, including:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Executive awayday discussions
Finalising scope and objectives
Cost and activity analysis
Chief Executives’ Sounding Board
Consultation and communications strategy
Detailed project planning
4.
Members of the Executive, together with the Chief Executive, met on May 10th. The purpose
of the day was not to define options but to explore members’ views on the future priorities
for London Councils, the nature of the organisation and its relationship with member
Boroughs, the wider public sector, the Government and other agencies. Members also
agreed that the Review should consider governance arrangements – the relative roles,
relationships and accountabilities – within London Councils in the light of any proposed
changes.
5.
Following the awayday – and other discussions within the organisation and with member
Boroughs – we will be finalising the scope, objectives and principles by which to guide the
Review and assess options. These principles will be set out for approval in the next report
to the Executive.
6.
We are currently analysing the time and money devoted to existing London Councils activity.
We are slicing the analysis two ways: by business plan objectives and by generic activity
types (i.e. lobbying/campaigning/representing member Boroughs; policy analysis and
development; supporting member Boroughs; and direct services). These analyses – which
will be complete before the end of June – will provide core data that will help us to generate
options and to assess the implications of changing the structure and/or balance of future
activities.
7.
A sounding board of London Chief Executives has been established, comprising Ita
Donovan (Haringey), Chris Duffield (City), Rob Leak (Enfield) and Gillian Norton
(Richmond). We plan to meet with the sounding board to discuss the aims of the review and
emerging options in June, July and September.
8.
We have developed a communication and consultation strategy to ensure that all staff know
what is happening and have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the options for London
Councils’ future. The strategy includes:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
All staff meetings
Fortnightly emails from the Chief Executive to all staff
Using the intranet for information and discussion
“Shaping the future” events for Directors and senior staff in June and September
Open sessions for any member of staff to discuss the Review with the Chief
Executive or Review Team members
Admin Review Day – for administrative staff across the organisation to look at how we
can strengthen some of our ways of working
Regular dialogue with Trade Union representatives.
Formal consultation will be undertaken in the Autumn when specific proposals are identified.
9.
A detailed project plan has been developed – key dates are outlined below.
Outline timetable
10. When Executive agreed the outline approach to the Review in April, dates for the Executive
and Leaders Committee meetings beyond July had not been set. It is now proposed that
final recommendations be reported to the Executive on 15th October and Leaders
Committee on November 13th. Headline activities and milestones between now and then
are:
June
Consultation:
o Intranet space set up
o “Shaping the future” conference
o Open sessions
o Admin Review Day
o Chief Executives sounding board
Activity and cost analysis completed
Executive agrees principles
July
Consultation:
o All staff meetings
o Chief Executives sounding board
Developing outline options
September
Consultation on outline options with members, managers,
staff and Trade Unions
Review governance arrangements
Detailed structural and financial implications identified
October/
November
Final recommendations to Executive/Leaders Committee
Implementation Plan agreed and commenced
Financial Implications for London Councils
The Review will consider both spending priorities and overall resource levels. The cost of
proposed organisational change and the long term financial implications of those changes will be
addressed in the Review’s formal reporting in the Autumn.
Equalities Implications for London Councils
Proposals for formal and informal staff consultation are set out above. Potential equalities
implications of the Review will be identified as part of the management of change process.