To receive a verbal update.

The Panel received a presentation on the progress of the  RBWM Transformation Programme Delivering Differently.

The Panel were informed that the by 2018 it was expected that the outcomes of the programme would be a Council that was resident focused, provided value for money, delivered together and was equipped for the future.

There were three stands to achieving these outcomes (knowing our services, having the right people and tools and delivering differently) and the presentation focused on the delivering differently strand.

The delivering differently outcomes were expected to be a range of services delivered locally, better use made of digital service, mixture of operating model, commercial activity developed and a creative use of assets.

The presentation provided the following update on progress for each of the above outcomes:

Services delivered locally – it was proposed to  merge Customer Services and Culture, Library and Registration to create a new Customer Experience service.  Cabinet and Employment Panel approval given and the following delivery dates were on target; June 2017 (Windsor Library) / July 2017 (Maidenhead and Ascot Library).

The Chairman mentioned that he was a great supporter of our libraries and felt that the proposals would result in a vibrant service.

Cllr Jones asked what staff reaction had been to the changes and was informed that no one would work longer hours but the hours worked would be varied. Staff reaction had been varied and they had put forward an alternative model that was under review.

Better use made of digital services – There was a planned expansion of services accessible by digital channel targeting 14 key service areas initially and a refresh of the RBWM website to enable easier access to services digitally.  The project was on track to be delivered by March 2017.

The Panel noted that even when there was only 6 services available via the digital channel there was still 7000 residents with a My Account.

Mixture of operating models – planned provision of services via Achieving for Children and Optalis were on track. With the additional of other services such as Highways and Streetcare about 49% of the Councils budget would be given to shared services.

The Chairman mentioned that there had been a number of drop in sessions for staff and asked if they had been well received.  The Panel were informed that there had been positive feedback and more sessions were planned.

The Chairman also mentioned that with regards to parking enforcement they could be concern raised about over vigilance.  The Panel were informed that a pilot had been  undertaken in Maidenhead and negative feedback was used to help scope proposals.  It was not possible to incentivise enforcement.

Commercial activity developed – additional commercial activity had been developed including the NRSWA Permit Scheme,  Debt Recovery / Enforcement Services and  Revenues / Benefits Services.

The Chairman asked what percentage of the transformation strategy had been achieved and was informed that it was about 70% with the remainder being on track to meet target dates.

Cllr Jones mentioned that certain savings were being proposed by the strategy but she had not been able to get sufficient information from offers on these.  The Chairman said that if Cllr Jones writes to him about the information required he would request the information as Panel Chairman.

The presentation was noted.