Issue - meetings

Proposed Transfer of Countryside Rangers and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Sheltered Scheme Cleaners to Medway Norse

Meeting: 07/03/2017 - Cabinet (Item 5)

5 Transfer of HRA Sheltered Scheme Cleaning Service to Medway Norse pdf icon PDF 25 KB

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report provided details of a proposal to transfer Housing Services (Housing Revenue Account) HRA sheltered housing cleaning from 1 May 2017 to the Council’s joint venture company, Medway Norse, to enable the overall sheltered housing service to widen its scope for developing its Housing Related Support Service to residents in HRA general needs properties and achieve further savings and service efficiencies.

 

The report stated that this transfer would build on Medway Norse’s track record in the delivery of Estate Services which included cleaning. The proposals would also deliver a small cashable saving whilst retaining existing service standards for sheltered housing tenants.  In addition, the release of management capacity within the Sheltered Housing Team would allow the development of further housing related support at no additional cost.

 

An Exempt Appendix provided details of the outline business case, options appraisal and detailed business case.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

20/2017

The Cabinet approved the transfer of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Sheltered Scheme Cleaning Service to Medway Norse from 1 May 2017.

 

Reasons:

 

To reduce costs, achieve efficiencies and facilitate development of the service.

 

In addition, the transfer of the scheme cleaners will bring savings to the HRA and also free up sheltered scheme managers time to concentrate on the provision of Housing Related Support Services in a potentially remodelled service later in the year, utilising the same staff numbers. This follows the successful sustainment and customer satisfaction increase through the transfer of the HRA Estate Services function to Medway Norse.


Meeting: 07/03/2017 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Transfer of Countryside Ranger Service to Medway Norse pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Minutes:

Discussion:

 

This report provided details of a proposal for the transfer of the Countryside Ranger Service, to the Council’s joint venture company, Medway Norse, to enable the service to achieve savings and service efficiencies.

 

The report also provided details of a proposal to dispose of the grounds maintenance depot (Howard School Yard) adjacent to the Howard School, Rainham. This had arisen as a result of Medway Norse moving from the site, having been able to utilise existing facilities at Capstone Country Park.

 

An Exempt Appendix provided details of the outline business case, options appraisal and detailed business case.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

21/2017

The Cabinet approved the transfer of the Greenspaces Countryside Ranger function to Medway Norse.

22/2017

The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Legal Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources to dispose of the land as shown edged red on the plan, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, on the best terms reasonably obtainable.

 

Reasons:

 

To reduce costs, achieve efficiencies, facilitate development and obtain a capital receipt.