Issue - meetings

(1)       Mr Wood and Mrs Hill presented a report which summarised the 2008/09 financial outturn, together with annual operating plan outturn information, for each of the Service Units within the Chief Executive’s Department.  The report contained financial, key activity and performance outcome information.

(2)       Members were invited to ask questions and the comments and responses included the following:-

• In relation to the overspend on roundabout advertising income, which was mainly due to difficulties with District planning rules, it was suggested that, as this income was unlikely to be delivered, it should be taken out of the budget and re-instated at a more appropriate time.

• In relation to income generated by Legal Services, Mr Wild explained that the unit had an annual income target.  There was a balance to be achieved between the demands of income generation and impact on the wider market but he believed that there was room for everyone in the market place.  He stated that they were looking to expand their areas of operation into other public sector organisations such as the health sector.  He commended his staff and was glad that their work had been recognised.  He confirmed that Legal Services’ turnover was £6.5m, and there were 75 lawyers and 35 support staff.

• Mr Wild explained that a subsidised rate was charged for property transactions to internal clients, which was made possible by external income. Regarding the fees charged to District Councils Mr Wild stated that the fees charged by legal services to District Councils were very competitive.  He confirmed that legal services carried out regular benchmarking and he believed that the service represented good value for money.

• Mr Wild confirmed that he had recently recruited new lawyers and specialists for their property law service.

• It was explained that the savings from the Gateways were contained within the Medium Term Plan. Savings had already been achieved in the current year and Mrs Oliver confirmed that in 6 months the “tell us once” service had saved at least £0.25m.

• It was suggested that Children’s Centres could be re-badged as “family gateways” with could give an opportunity to share services.

• Regarding the Kent Commitment, it was requested that future reports on outturn include information on work with Districts to achieve savings for both.

• In response to a question Mr Cockburn gave two examples of joint working with District Councils, these were the shared services provision for Human Resources agreed with East Kent Districts and the second was the County Council, District Council and other public services joint network for IT, which was a shared project that was making savings across the whole of the public sector. 

(3)       RESOLVED that the report and the comments made by Members be noted.