Issue - meetings

(A report of James Gilbert, Assistant Director – Corporate)

Portfolio Holder: Councillor Anne Dorrian

The Leader presented the report which sought agreement of the Productivity Plan, which was detailed in Appendix A within the report. She advised that following the local government finance settlement, in late 2023, a requirement had been placed on Councils to publish a productivity plan each year.

The report brought forward the proposed approach for the Council's productivity plan for 2024/25. The advice from the Government had been that the plan should be brief and cover four key areas:

·       transformation of services to make better use of resources;

·       opportunities to take advantage of advances in technology and make better use of data to inform decision making and service design;

·       ways to reduce wasteful spend within systems;

·       barriers preventing activity that Government can help to reduce or remove.

The productivity plan mirrored the plans being considered by both Cabinets at East Lindsey and South Holland District Councils. The plan drew upon the existing efficiency road map set out in the partnership’s business case and the various strategic documents set out in paragraph 2.4 within the report. 

The Leader advised that upon publication, to demonstrate the commitment to efficiency, both financial and operational efficiencies, the Leaders of each Council would write together to the Secretary of State with details of the plans.

Councillor John Baxter highlighted where the report mentioned areas for government support, within page 118, which was something the authority had been lobbying the government on. He also referred to the internal drainage board levies, as it mentioned the work being done to set up a board to protect the communities and also, with regard to the budget, but also highlighting the business rates, renewables, etc.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Anne Dorrian and seconded by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Productivity Plan in Appendix A within the report, underpinned by the items listed at 2.4 in the report, be approved; and

2.     That delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director – Corporate to update the Plan from time to time, in consultation with the Leader.