The scrutiny committee received the report of the Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office.  This provided a final review of the council’s corporate transformation programme which had ended in March 2020. 

Providing a detailed overview of his extensive report, the Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office drew attention to the lessons learnt and recommendations arising from the programme.  These included:

·               the beneficial impacts of Covid 19 on delivering aspects of the culture change envisaged, particularly around flexible working and the increased use of technology;

·               creation of a new Commercial Strategy and Commercial Income and Investment Board to drive the council’s ambitious business agenda;

·               the value of a clear programme governance structure and vision, that had been adopted by the newly formed Enterprise Programme Management Office;

·               clear corporate focus, priorities and direction provided by the Council Plan 2020-24 and associated Delivery Plan 2020-22 to best manage and direct internal resources; and

·               culture of two-way engagement with staff from across the organisation successfully trialled in the programme’s Pulse Group and now taken up in the Staff Ambassadors Group.

It was noted that the objectives of the programme had been largely achieved.

In terms of benefits, savings of £886,000 had been achieved by the programme for the financial year 2020/21.  It was anticipated that the target of £1m would be exceeded by the financial year 2021/22.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources and Customer Service praised the Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office for his professionalism in driving the transformation programme.  The support of staff and members for the programme had been maintained throughout and the result was a council able to serve its local community better.  The Portfolio Holder particularly acknowledged the constructive challenge and oversight provided by Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED –

that Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·               Notes the lessons learnt and recommendations (detailed within section 3 of Appendix 1 of the report)

·               Notes the formal closure of the programme