Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet (subject to the required Council approval to funding):

                   I.    Approved the Customer & Digital Services (including Organisational Design) business case at Appendix A and adoption of the preferred future organisational design option Bv2;

                 II.    Supported the intention to let out the south wing of Appletree Court (ATC) to third party tenants as set out in Appendix B;

                III.    Noted the opportunity to further enhance ATC through works to the ground floor north wing, but these to be progressed subject to further approval (at additional cost), dependant on the success of the letting activity; and

               IV.    Delegated responsibility to oversee delivery of these recommendations to the Transformation Programme Board.

2.     That Cabinet recommend to Council approval to:

                V.    allocate £2.709m on an invest-to-save basis to deliver the necessary technology and organisational changes to deliver the preferred future organisational design option; and

               VI.    allocate up to £1.75m for improvements to the East wing of ATC on an invest-to-save basis, to facilitate the third party letting of the south wing and the generation of c£300,000 per annum in income.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council

PORTFOLIO:

Leaders / Finance and Corporate / all

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Leader introduced the report and explained that the item responds to the objectives that are at the centre of what the Council does, namely the serving of residents. The Leader explained that NFDC wants residents and service users to interact with the Council in a modern, efficient and effective way that best suits their needs. The use of the Council’s assets was highlighted as an important element of the overall transformation programme and the changes to customer and digital services alongside a change in the use of accommodation could make a positive contribution to the Council’s financial sustainability.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Services highlighted how the Covid pandemic and the developments in technology had irrevocably changed the way that organisations work. Technology now supported hybrid working and remote working, and therefore the Council would need to reevaluate the use of its offices as it adapts to these developments. Therefore, the proposed change in use of the Council’s accommodation at Appletree Court could have both a financially and sustainably positive impact.

The Assistant Director of Transformation provided an overview of the report. The report presented two invest-to-save business cases in support of the transformation programme and its 4 key themes of: Customer and Digital Services, people and capabilities, assets and accommodation and finance and delivery.

The first business case at Appendix A enables the implementation of the transformation programme around the Customer and Digital Services. It sets out a clear future organisational design for the Council to leverage new technology, process redesign and structures to improve the customer experience and the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation.

The second business case at Appendix B considers options to exploit the commercial opportunities of ATC and make better use of currently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7