Issue - meetings

To consider the Council / Public Sector Partnership Services Transformation and Service Modernisation programme and Business Plan 2025 to 2027 (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which requested consideration of the Council/Public Sector Partnership Services Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme and Business Plan 2025 to 2027.

The Portfolio Holder – Strategic and Operational Housing (under whose Portfolio sat the responsibility of PSPS Shareholder Representative) presented the report.

Members agreed that there was no need to discuss the information within exempt Appendix B and there was therefore no need for the meeting to go into private session.

The following points were raised:

·       The changes within the Transformation Plan would result in improved services to customers and residents and would make it easier to access services.

·       The Maturity Model within Appendix A showed the current position and target position for Customer Experience – was it realistic that this amount of improvement would be seen?

o   It was anticipated that this would be achievable if the proposed projects detailed within the report were agreed, particularly the modernisation and efficiency programmes and the projects around customer focus.  These built on improvements over the last few years, such as investment in technology.

DECISION:

Business Plan

a)    That, subject to a similar decision by the other founding shareholder, the PSPS Business Plan 2025 to 2027, as set out at Appendix A, be approved.

Service modernisation plan

a)    That, subject to the budget allocations being approved for the identified investment, the Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme set out at Appendix B be approved;

b)    That, subject to the budget allocations being approved, authority to approve or reject individual Business Cases in relation to the Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development, in consultation with the PSPS Portfolio Holder;

c)     That periodic reviews of the Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme’s delivery be undertaken through the Council’s scrutiny arrangements.

(Other options considered:

Business Plan

·       Do nothing – whilst this is an option, the existing Business Plan needs updating and is a requirement of the Joint Venture Shareholder Agreement;

·       Alternative Business Plan – the Council could ask the company to develop an alternative Business Plan.

Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme

·       Continuing to invest in PSPS to enable transformative change both within the company and Councils is important at a time when there is ever increasing customer expectation regarding Council services and increasing budget pressures.

·       Do nothing – whilst this is an option, this is a requirement of the Joint Venture Shareholder Agreement.

Reasons for decision:

·       To agree a Business Plan and Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme that seeks to enable PSPS to continue to improve services and deliver savings.  These are requirements within the Joint Venture Shareholder Agreement).

To provide feedback on the proposed PSPS Business Plan 2025 to 2027 and the Council/PSPS Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which asked members to provide feedback on the proposed PSPS Business Plan 2025 to 2027 and the Council/PSPS Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme.

The Assistant Director – Corporate, the Chief Finance Officer (PSPS), the Head of ICT and Digital (PSPS) and the Portfolio Holder – Strategic and Operational Housing attended in person for this item, and the Chief Executive (PSPS) attended virtually.

The Assistant Director – Corporate introduced the item by highlighting the following points:

• Appendix A was the PSPS Business Plan 2025 to 2027 which, as founding shareholders of PSPS, was being considered at both South Holland District Council and East Lindsey District Council;
• Appendix B was the Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme which, due to commercial sensitivities to PSPS, was being considered in closed session at agenda item 19. Appendix B recommended future investment and as such needed to be considered by all three councils of the partnership; 
• Member briefings had taken place across the partnership in respect of the content of the documents;
• Regarding the governance process, the documents had received relevant scrutiny and had been supported at both Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council. Following scrutiny at the current meeting, the documents would be presented at SHDC Cabinet in January 2025.

The Chief Executive (PSPS) introduced Appendix A which included the following main areas:

• Context and background: that Public Sector Partnership Services Ltd (PSPS) was a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) wholly owned by South Holland District Council, East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council. In operation for fifteen years, PSPS was among the longest established and mature LATCos in the country, delivering both back-office and front-facing services for South Holland, East Lindsey and Boston councils for over 305,000 residents;
• Financing efficiencies;
• PSPS journey from 2009 to 2024;
• The strategic intention of PSPS;
• The services provided by PSPS including: customer contact, procurement and contracts, corporate services, revenues and benefits, HR, finance and ICT;
• The financial context;
• Governance and internal scrutiny;
• Priorities and people;
• Transformation plan;
• Commissioning and performance;
• Customer satisfaction and maturity assessment;
• Maturity model;
• Environmental commitment; and
• Growth.

Members considered Appendix A and did not raise any questions.

AGREED:

That the PSPS Business Plan 2025 to 2027 at Appendix A be noted.