Agenda item

This report sets out activities and progress on work areas within the Business Management Portfolio, which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Members received an overview of progress on the area within the terms of reference of this Committee covered by Councillor Rupert Turpin, Portfolio Holder for Business Management, i.e.

·         Bereavement and registration services

• Income generation
• Revenues and benefits
• Risk management
• Business management
• Commissioning

 Councillor Turpin responded to Members’ queries and comments as follows:

Bereavement and registration services

A Member referred to the fact that the specialist cremator supplier had entered into voluntary administration in 2013, leaving the installation of functioning cremators and abatement incomplete. He asked what deficiencies had been identified in this procurement exercise and also the extent of the Council’s financial exposure. Councillor Turpin replied that the furnaces were still operating but action was needed to improve them. If the Council was unsuccessful in the legal case then the exposure could be significant, but that could not be quantified at this stage. In terms of the procurement process, only one company was able to install the furnaces according to the Council’s specifications and Budget. There had been many factors in favour of the preferred company and the standard procurement processes had been followed. There were lessons to be learned and while there had been good reasons at the time for the decisions taken, in retrospect a different course of action might have been preferable. A Member asked if the lessons learned report could be brought to the Committee. Councillor Turpin agreed to the request.

Another Member commented that one of the reasons the works at the Crematorium were so impressive  was due to early cross party Member involvement in the improvement programme and suggested this should be replicated when other proposals were being drawn up. He referred to the new crematorium in Gravesham and asked if there were any concerns this would impact on income for the Council. He also asked whether, both from an equalities perspective and a source of income generation, the Council would consider making representations to local MPs about allowing heterosexual couples to enter into civil partnerships. On the new Gravesham crematorium, Councillor Turpin replied that this would have an effect on the Council, but given the increasing population and the fact that Medway would be significantly cheaper with a good reputation, he was confident about the future. Concerning civil partnerships he was not sure he saw the point of two different forms of ceremony and would not be making representations on that point.

A Member asked what the contingency plans were, should the furnaces break down. The Committee was advised that robust contingency plans were in place including reducing services, reciprocal agreements with other crematoria and staff working extra hours.

In response to a question about whether changes to marriage law were a risk or an opportunity, Councillor Turpin commented that there was a risk due to demands from secular groups to be allowed to carry out civil ceremonies, meaning potentially anyone could become a registrar. This could affect income to the Council but it was also an opportunity as new registrars would need to be licenced by the Council. He hoped to make better use of the Council’s historic buildings to improve the marriage service and plans were being developed to pursue that. A Member queried whether Eastgate House would be a venue for weddings after its refurbishment. If it was not to be, then the Corn Exchange facilities would need to be improved to remain competitive. Councillor Turpin stated that due to the ongoing refurbishment works at Eastgate House there were no plans at the moment to hold weddings there.  . 

Income generation

A Member asked if income generation was a cross cutting part of Councillor Turpin’s portfolio and also for his views on the balance between maximising income through charging against the risks of social exclusion. Councillor Turpin replied that it was cross cutting and the merits of each proposal would be weighed up with social issues taken into account and any extra income would then be spent on services. His approach was not about maximising income through charging at any cost. 

With reference to the improvements outlined to improve adult social care income collection a Member felt that the approach outlined in the report could create more risks than benefits and end up creating more inefficiencies and a worse service for vulnerable people. She hoped that these measures to generate extra income would not lead to delays for people. Councillor Turpin replied that nothing was being rushed into regarding telephone assessments and careful evaluation would take place following a trial. The intention was to have the right mix between telephone assessments and face to face meetings.  A Member asked what percentage of adult social care clients’ contributions to their care package (£9m pa) was collected and whether any administrative fees were charged by the Council. Councillor Turpin replied that it was impossible to obtain 100% collection rates. He undertook to provide to all members of the committee the information about the shortfall and also whether any administrative fees were charged. 

Regarding the decision by Cabinet to deliver CCTV services via a local authority trading company, a Member asked why the Council had not retained responsibility and offered this service to others. Members were advised that the decision had been taken because a company had the capacity to trade freely and swiftly in a competitive environment, and expand and generate profits for the Council.  Details of the paper to Cabinet would be sent to Members.

Revenues and benefits

A Member noted that some assessment staff were choosing new career paths because of uncertainty about the future in the lead up to the full introduction of Universal Credit and expressed concern about the prospect of more good quality staff deciding to leave after Universal Credit had been introduced. Councillor Turpin replied that a new team was being established which he hoped would mitigate against these risks. The team still had a lot of work to do and assessments still needed to take place.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:

a)        note the report

b)        request that the report on the lessons learned from the procurement process for the purchase of specialist cremator supplies be submitted to this Committee

c)         note that a briefing note will be provided to Members on what percentage of adult social care clients’ contributions to their care package is collected and whether any administrative fees are charged.