Agenda item

Alan Finch (Principal Adviser, Finance and Productivity) introduced the paper, which updated on the LGA’s Productivity Programme over the second half of 2016/17. He highlighted that the programme was on track to achieve its objectives as set by Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Cllr Sue Woodward (Staffordshire County Council) and Wayne Mortiboys (Staffordshire County Council District Commissioning Lead, Lichfield) then gave a presentation on the councils’ work as part of the LGA funded Design in the Public Sector Programme to develop a community-based approach to its work with ‘at risk’ families. In doing so, they summarised the creation of a community interest company ‘Spark’ and their joint working to retain and run some children’s centres which would otherwise have closed. Wayne outlined the project process, associated costs, intended user-base, plans for future evaluation and lessons learned such as adapting the model for potential restructuring of libraries in the same area. The Board were invited to undertake a site visit to see the centre first hand should they wish.    

Discussion

In the discussion that followed, Members’ comments included:

LGA Productivity Programme 

·         During the discussion, members asked that the format of the report be augmented to provide a high level summary of key projects, their objectives, outcomes and the extent to which objectives are on track to be met, or not.

·         Members asked about the criteria for and monitoring of grant allocations, to ensure a good balance and if there was a correlation between those authorities yet to undertake a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) and those applying for grants as part of the productivity programme. 

Staffordshire County Council presentation

·         Members thanked Cllr Woodward and Wayne Mortiboys for their presentation and enquired about evidence that there was a greater utilisation of the ‘Spark’ centres by target groups and the cost implications.

Decisions

That the Improvement and Innovation Board:

      i.        noted the contents of the report; and

     ii.        agreed that more robust evaluation, monitoring and reporting mechanisms be implemented to ensure that the programme meets its objectives;

    iii.        Cllr Woodward and Wayne Mortiboys be thanked for their presentation.

Actions

1.    Specify individual project objectives and whether they have been met in future updates, through a clear reporting template. Alan Finch

2.    Share assessment criteria for digital grants programme to inform members about the process. Alan Finch

3.    Provide members with a digital version of the presentation. Jess Norman

4.    Analyse take up of support and cross-reference to take up ofthe CPC process. Alan Finch