Policy & Resources Cabinet Member – Minutes – 30 January 2014
Resolved – (a) That the virements at paragraph 3.1 of the report, approved by the Director of Policy and Resources under delegated powers be noted, and (b) that the permanent virements outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved.
103 (43) BUY4NORTHERN LINCOLNSHIRE UPDATE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2014/15 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report to provide an update on progress with the initiative over the previous 12 months and sought approval of a development action plan for 2014/15 which was appended to the report.
Buy4Northern Lincolnshire was officially launched in October 2012 in conjunction with eight local partners. Its aim was to provide information and practical support to local businesses on competing for public and third sector contract opportunities across North and North East Lincolnshire.
The initiative had become the principal vehicle for all supplier facing support, advice and training on procurement opportunities and matters and had supported seven specific procurement workshops/training events for local businesses in North and North East Lincolnshire over the previous 12 months.
An updated development plan for 2014/15 was attached to the report (appendix a) for consideration and approval.
Resolved – (a) That the progress update as outlined in the report be noted, and (b) that the proposed Buy4NorthernLincolnshire action plan for 2014/15 be considered and approved.
104 (44) “ENHANCING THE WEB CHANNEL” PROGRESS UPDATE AND NEXT STEPS – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report to provide an update on progress with the delivery of the “Enhancing the Web Channel” programme and to outline proposed next steps.
A programme of enhancements to the council’s website was approved in May 2013and was informed by:
· customer use of the former website and previous search history
· known issues with structure and layout, search results, number of pages
· feedback from the annual SOCITM “better connected” survey
· best practice in the sector
· visitor profiles, including the 50% growth in website visits from mobile devices and smart phones
· council priorities associated with the channel shift project
The principal aim was to improve accessibility of key information and the services most frequently used by customers.
The new website went live on 31 October 2013 and the SOCITM customer survey results for November 2013 indicated that more customers had rated their experience of the enhanced website as positive rather than negative.
It was confirmed that development and implementation of a 2014/15 programme of website enhancements would be led by the Digital Services team.
Resolved – (a) That progress to-date as set out in the report be noted; (b) that the 2014/15 programme of further web channel enhancements and actions be approved, and (c) that a further update report be submitted on receipt of the SOCITM 2014 “Better Connected” survey results.
105 (45) PANNEL STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which introduced an updated statement of principles which set out the basis of the council’s relationship with North East Lincolnshire Council for the provision of a joint procurement function – PANNEL.
The council’s shared procurement service with North East Lincolnshire Council, Procurement Alliance North & North East Lincolnshire (PANNEL), co-ordinated the £215m spent every year on supplies, services and works across both councils. The joint team had been operational for 6 years.
An updated statement of principles (appendix 1 to the report) had been produced to recognise changes to the shape and operation of the relationship during that period, including the development of a new joint delivery model based on a category management strategy.
Its purpose was to set out the nature and basis of the relationship with North East Lincolnshire Council for the provision of a procurement partnership and the shared aim of delivering on-going improvements in procurement performance.
Resolved – That the updated PANNEL statement of principles be approved.
106 (46) WORKFORCE STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013/17 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which outlined and sought approval for the Workforce Strategy and Development Plan 2013/17.
Public sector organisations were facing unprecedented change and would continue to do so over the next few years. This presented new challenges and opportunities for the council and its workforce. The main challenge as an employer was to manage the transition and transformation in the way services were delivered and how new ways of working were embraced, whilst maintaining an engaged and motivated workforce.
Resolved – That the 2013/17 Workforce Strategy and Development Plan be approved and adopted.
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Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.