Agenda item

1.    The report was introduced by Matthew Fraser Moat, Cabinet Member for Local Government Efficiency, who provided an overview of the work of the Kent Department of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) and the priorities of the administration to seek long-term efficiencies and improvements for Kent residents.

2.    In response to comments and questions from guests and Members the discussion covered the following:

• Mr Fraser Moat emphasised his financial approach to the DOLGE process, informed by his accountancy background and assured Members that all DOLGE work would go through officers and the relevant Committees.
• Details building upon this report would be delivered at the September Full Council meeting via Cabinet Member proposals.
• Mr Christopher Hespe, Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Cross-party activity, provided context of the financial situation inherited by the new administration and set the scope of DOLGE work. A new approach to shift focus towards statutory rather than discretionary services was detailed alongside contracting and outsourcing arrangements to be re-examined. Work to identify future areas for savings was ongoing.
• Concerns were raised of the 12 unanswered questions on DOGE within the report and how interlinked DOGE and DOLGE public output was. Mr Fraser Moat encouraged that he be assessed upon his own record. 
• Members expressed their frustrations concerning certain social media posts that required clarifications on accuracy.  This clarification was provided by Mrs Amanda Beer, Chief Executive Officer. The timeline by which KCC was able to respond to certain media interest was also established by Mrs Beer.
• To ensure public confidence in KCC, it was acknowledged that greater granularity regarding the financial backing of specific items was necessary.
• Mr Ben Watts, General Counsel, outlined how the DOLGE fell into individual Cabinet Member’s portfolios, hence their inclusion in delivering updates. Specifically, the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee would receive various outcomes on the work of DOLGE, unless the item fell within another Cabinet portfolio.
• Mr Hespe paid tribute to the KCC officers in relation to their work on DOLGE.

3.    The Chairman proposed, and Mr Eustace seconded, that under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. 

4.    This was agreed unanimously and Mr Watts, General Counsel updated Members on the legal advice given in relation to DOLGE and DOGE. 

5.    As the Committee resumed its public session the Chair noted that the information contained within the public documents submitted to the committee was reflected in the exempt discussion had and that the public could be reassured with regards to the handling of their personal data, the County Council would continue to comply with the law in all respects. 

6.    The Chair proposed to note the report and look forward to the Strategic Statement and detailed report on the Kent DOLGE.  This was seconded by Mr Eustace and received assent from the Committee.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Committee note the report and look forward to the Strategic Statement and detailed report on the Kent DOLGE.