Decision details

The Council has been in discussion with neighbouring boroughs, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and City of Westminster, about the potential for shared services. This report will update the proposals that will then go out for comment.

That the recommendations set out in section 3 of this report outlined below be approved:

Cabinet endorse the report in full and, in particular:

(i)         note the positive public response to the proposals;

(ii)        note the draft business cases highlight continued confidence in achieving £35m savings target;

Adult Social Care

(iii)        mandate continued negotiations with Central London Community Health around integrated health and social care services, with a view to putting before Cabinets firm proposals later in the year;

(iv)       mandate continued discussions with GP consortia around joint commissioning arrangements;

(v)        note the intention to put proposals for a single Director of Adults' Commissioning and for the creation of a combined commissioning hub to June Cabinets;

Children's Services

(vi)       note firm proposals for combined Fostering and Adoption and Youth Offending services, and for a single Local Safeguarding Children's Board - recommendations to endorse proposals to be put to the June Cabinets;

(vii)       note that firm proposals around a single management team to be recommended to June Cabinets;

(viii)      note that proposals for a combined Education Service are being reviewed to ensure that they reflect current policy requirements and that a further report will be brought to June Cabinets;

Corporate Services

(ix)       note progress to date in developing proposals and to note the intention to bring more detailed cases particularly for combined HR, IT and Finance services to June Cabinets;

Libraries

(x)        note firm proposals around a combined library service and to invite public comment and views from scrutiny committees - recommendations to endorse further developed proposals to be put to June Cabinets; and

Environmental Services

(xi)       note first stage proposals for a combined RBKC and H&F senior management team and plans to begin the process of reconfiguring services, with an invitation to WCC to later combine as contractual arrangements allow - a more detailed implementation plan to be brought to June Cabinets.