Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

With regard to Minute No. 37 (Sharing Learning from CPA with other Authorities) Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, reported on the two events planned at Hellaby Hall Hotel on the 20^th March and 12^th April, 2007, which were to share good practice on performance management in Rotherham via interactive workshops.

The events had been publicised via the IDeA website and were very popular with other Local Authorities from far and wide already signed up to attend.

It was suggested that Members of the Corporate Improvement Board attend at least one of the sessions with invitations also extended to the Chamber of Commerce and the Local Strategic Partnership.

Resolved:-  That details of the events be provided for all Members of the Corporate Improvement Board.

Lorna Kelly, Corporate Improvement Manager, circulated copies of a report, which detailed the work that had been taking place to refresh the Corporate Improvement Plan to ensure a number of internal and external factors were incorporated to help focus the Council on its capacity to ensure it could:-

·              Deliver its corporate priorities.

·              Provide the best possible services to the public.

·              Achieve an improved corporate assessment rating.

·              Prepare for the requirements of the Local Government White Paper published in November, 2006.

The report also provided an update on some of the progress made with the refresh of the revised Corporate Improvement Plan, which was subject to further consultation with Directors in the next few weeks.  Once the Corporate Improvement Plan was updated it was scheduled to be approved by the Corporate Management Team in April, 2007.

Members were happy to reconsider the Corporate Improvement Plan once it had been updated and had input from the Directors.

Concern was expressed about the Base Budget Review process, which was about shifting and the most efficient use of resources, in informing the budget for 2007/08.  However, the value of the Base Budget Review process was highlighted and indications were that this should continue.  A report on the Base Budget Reviews for 2006 was to be submitted to Cabinet on the 28^th March, 2007.

Reference was also made to the links with the Our Future process and how some of the groups would continue to meet, depending on their role and remit.

Discussion ensued on the timescales for the approval and implementation of the Corporate Improvement Plan and the dates for the Corporate Management Team and Cabinet.

Resolved:-  That the progress of the refreshed Corporate Improvement Plan be noted ready for approval in April, 2007 by the Corporate Management Team and Cabinet.

Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, confirmed that the Our Future work would continue resulting in further meetings for some of the groups.

The final version of the reports was to be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday, 14^th March, 2007.

The Chief Executive was then tasked with pulling together all the information into an action plan.

With regards to the RBT negotiations, Andrew Bedford was lead officer.

Discussion ensued on which groups were anticipated to continue meeting, what they would be working on and the links to the Corporate Improvement Board.

Due to the influence of the Our Future work it was suggested that the Corporate Improvement Board’s Terms of Reference may need to be revisited and the membership extended to include the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services and two Members from Scrutiny.

Resolved:-  (1)  That consideration be given to the Terms of Reference of the Corporate Improvement Board.

(2)  That the membership of the Corporate Improvement Board be extended to include the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services and that the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee agree to nominate two people from Scrutiny.

Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, had seen an early version in terms of the projects coming out from Government Office and an implementation plan on the White Paper.  The White Paper was still being developed by the Government and the Chief Executive’s Office had a watching brief on some of the areas.

Matt Gladstone outlined the overlap between the Corporate Improvement Board and the Our Future work and the fact that the White Paper may still be subject to change.

Matt Gladstone agreed to keep Members informed of any developments and report these through the Cabinet.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.