Issue - meetings

1.    Mr Hespe introduced the draft Delivering Outstanding Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) Strategy and advised that it had been developed jointly with Mr Chamberlain as a corporate strategy for Kent County Council. He noted that the Strategy had been produced through close collaboration between Members and officers and expressed thanks to the Corporate Management Team, the Chief Executive, the Section 151 Officer, Cabinet Members and the Leader for their contribution and support.

(b)  Mr Hespe reported that DOLGE had initially been established to identify opportunities for efficiencies, savings and the reduction of waste within the budget inherited by the administration. The Strategy marked the next phase of the programme and focused on embedding efficiencies and delivering value for money within the Council's own budget framework through continued collaboration with officers.

(c)  He advised that the Strategy set out a clear direction for the further development of DOLGE, including a series of organisational priorities and principles intended to guide decision-making across the authority. A key objective was to support the delivery of a leaner, more focused, efficient and effective council while maintaining the delivery of statutory and discretionary services and promoting a culture of innovation, creativity and commercial awareness

(d)  The Strategy was structured around four strategic themes: efficiency and simplification; budget management and delivery of savings; commercial activity and income generation; and resilience in the context of Local Government Reorganisation. Within these themes, a number of actions had been identified, including twelve priority actions.

(e)  Mr Hespe further reported that the Strategy established a set of core principles to be applied across the organisation, including limiting unnecessary organisational growth, reducing complexity, improving the forward planning of contract renewals and strengthening challenge and review processes when considering services and expenditure. The report sought Cabinet approval and adoption of the Strategy.

(f)   The Leader welcomed the draft DOLGE Strategy and noted that the programme had been delivered in two distinct phases. She observed that the first phase had focused on identifying efficiencies and savings within the budget inherited by the administration, while the second phase was centred on delivering efficiencies and value for money through the Council's own budget and priorities. The Leader highlighted the progress made to date and welcomed the benefits already being delivered through the programme. She also welcomed the four strategic themes underpinning the Strategy, noting that they provided a clear and accessible framework for the Council's approach to efficiency and improvement.

2.    It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(a)  Approved and adopted the Delivery of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) Strategy ; and

(b)  Delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Local Government Efficiency and Reorganisation, to make non-substantive revisions and updates to the strategy as appropriate during its lifetime