Agenda item

This report provides information on the Government's decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) of option 4B for Kent and Medway, the implementation programme, national context, governance arrangements, and the relationship between LGR and devolution. Whilst the Council's preferred option was not adopted, the focus now shifts to ensuring successful implementation and securing the best outcomes for residents.

Discussion:

The Chief Operating Officer introduced the report. He highlighted the report set out the stages of LGR, draft warding arrangements and the programme management approach.

The following issues were discussed:

Digital – in response to a Member question for further information available regarding the data and digital information workstream, the Chief Operating Officer stated that LGR was at an early stage, the report outlined the decisions that had been made at this stage and the development of the workstreams. Further information would be provided to the Committee as work progressed and further reports would be submitted to the Committee.

It was asked why the risks related to ICT had not been listed and risk related to insufficient capacity downgraded. The Chief Operating Officer stated that the risks had related to the concern that collaborative working would not continue once the government decision had been made. This concern had not been borne out and there was a team to support the transition and positive collaborative working. The Council had created capacity to support transition through £1m in capital receipts as its contribution to the £10m.

Cost of reorganisation – a Member questioned whether LGR had been tested against the prudential code including transition costs, borrowing requirements and forecast savings, the Chief Operating Officer stated that the costs associated with transition represented a significant workstream and Kent Chief Finance Officers were part of the group addressing that area. The business case required review, and it was expected that the transitional costs to the successor authority would be met through borrowing. The Transition costs and borrowing would inform the first budget of the successor authority in February 2028.

Workstreams – a Member commented that there were seven activity groups and 45 workstreams, he asked that future reports provide updates on progress against those workstreams. The Chief Operating Officer stated that it had not been finalised at what level each of the workstreams would operate, some would operate on a county wide basis, some at the successor authority level and some would be for the for the predecessor authority. Pertinent updates for the workstreams and activity groups would be provided to the Committee. It was asked and agreed that a dashboard providing activity and budget updates be included in future reports to the Committee as progress is made.

Collaboration in the region – a Member commented that Medway was well placed to understand the requirements of transition and he did not want to lose improvements in services for residents during transition. The Chief Operating Officer stated that Tim Wolmer had been appointed as Director of the Programme Managers Office, he acted as a neutral resource for all fourteen authorities. It was acknowledged that all the authorities in the region had experience and knowledge to bring to the transition, with authorities across the region represented in senior role. The government had recognised that cross border working by the Kent authorities had been exemplary.

Decision:

a)                The Committee noted the Government's decision to establish four unitary authorities across Kent and Medway.

b)                The Committee noted the implementation timetable, governance arrangements, and workstreams.

c)                 The Committee noted the wider implications of devolution and the future Mayoral Strategic Authority.

d)                The Committee agreed to receive further quarterly progress reports as the implementation programme develops.

e)                The Committee requested officers consider the development of a dashboard to support scrutiny of progress of the implementation of LGR.