Agenda item

This report reviews the first trading year of Medway Norse and the plans for its second year of trading. 

Discussion:

The Chairman advised that the Head of Category Management, Genette Laws, had recently left the Council and, on behalf of the Committee, also thanked her for her work and success in the category management field.

The Assistant Director Legal and Corporate Services introduced Dean Wetteland – Acting Managing Director of Norse and Nick Anthony – Strategic Property and Energy Manager to the Committee. He introduced the report highlighting in particular the one year anniversary of the launch of the Joint Venture with Norse for Facilities Management, the success of partnership working, the savings achieved and the delivery of continuity with resolution of initial teething problems. He acknowledged that whilst the joint venture had made considerable savings the business growth had been slower than hoped for. In terms of added value it was highlighted that Medway Norse now has 397 employees, 95% of whom are Medway residents and that the number of apprenticeships created by Medway Norse within the first nine months had exceeded the original target and created employment opportunities for care leavers and people with learning difficulties. A customer satisfaction survey would be carried out at the end of the year and all in all it could be considered a successful first year.

Members raised a number of points and questions including:

·                    A suggestion that Medway Norse consider taking over the management of Medway’s care homes, as they had been successful in this venture in Norfolk. It was noted that Norse managed 26 care homes in Norfolk and would be happy to consider bidding for appropriate contracts in Medway.

·                    A question was raised on how long there would be an “Acting” Managing Director of Medway Norse. It was explained that the Operations Director would take on the role of Managing Director once sufficiently experienced in the Medway Norse way of working.

·                    Medway Norse minibuses undertook certain school runs and it was asked what the buses were used for during school hours. The Committee was advised that the minibuses worked under permit so had limited use but a new license was being investigated.

·                    The inclusion of information regarding Medway Norse in Medway Matters was suggested, as was the scope for increasing the visibility of the Medway Norse branding in the Medway area. The high level of visibility of Norse branding in Norfolk was cited as an example.

·                    The expansion of Medway Norse was slower than some Councillors would have liked. However, it was acknowledged that the economic climate was considered be a contributory factor as was the fact that Medway Norse had taken on new work in cleaning, maintenance and catering all of which had previously been delivered by external contractors with considerable savings being achieved as a consequence.

·                    It was suggested that further savings might be achieved if Medway Norse could become the first point of contact for Councillors in relation to expenditure of Ward Improvement Funds on small contracts. The provision of Christmas lighting in high streets was cited as an example where works had historically been carried out by private contractors with escalating costs in some cases.

·                    Concern was expressed that Medway Norse had not been sufficiently proactive in pursuing the interest expressed by the Medway NHS Foundation Trust and the Acting Managing Director was asked to personally address himself to this issue. The Chairman requested a confidential briefing note on this subject.

·                    The Committee was advised that Medway Norse had taken on the printing function at Gun Wharf and the service was being reviewed at present. It was noted that the print unit was not currently undertaking work for any external organisations.

·                    Medway Norse was requested to open discussions with as many large public sector organisations as possible for example - hospitals, police stations and the University of Kent. A briefing note (possibly confidential) on progress was requested.

·                    Councillors reported that a high number of residents had raised concerns about grounds maintenance which was now the responsibility of Medway Norse and Quadron. It was acknowledged that the service was highly dependent on weather conditions. It was requested that Medway Norse keep ward Councillors and residents informed of any changes in service or provision and it was agreed that a representative of Quadron would be invited to be present when the next Medway Norse update was presented to the Committee.

·                    Officers agreed to supply the Committee with a copy of the Medway Norse sales and marketing plan mentioned in paragraph 3.30 of the report.

Decisions:

The Committee noted the report and agreed that:

(a)            Information about Medway Norse and its activities should become a regular feature in Medway Matters.

(b)              Officers to investigate the possibility of Medway Norse becoming a possible contact for Councillors wishing to engage contractors to deliver ward based initiatives to be funded from the Ward Improvement Fund.

(c)               Medway Norse to initiate discussions with as many large public sector organisations as possible including hospitals, Kent Police and the University of Kent and that the Acting Managing Director should personally pursue dialogue with Medway NHS Foundation Trust as soon as possible. The Committee to be provided with a Briefing Note on progress.

(d)               Medway Norse should inform Councillors and residents of any changes in service or provision in relation to grounds maintenance.

(e)       A representative of Quadron be invited to the meeting of the Committee when the next Medway Norse update report is being considered.

(f)         The Committee be supplied with a copy of the sales and marketing plan mentioned in paragraph 3.30 of the report.

(g)       A site visit to the Pier Road depot be arranged for the Committee once work on the site is complete.