Agenda item - Orbis Partnership

Report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee note:

1)        The key financial test has been met, i.e. that the trajectory of Orbis savings is sufficiently aligned with this council’s requirements to make partnership working viable and desirable.

2)        Detailed work will now commence to integrate the council’s corporate services into Orbis, and that progress will be communicated to the Orbis partnership and staff.

3)        By taking this decision now, the council will attain founding partner status and so have a stronger influence over how Orbis manages, shapes and develops its services; this will not be possible if a decision is delayed further.

4)        Services are likely to fully integrate at different times, given their relative complexity, and the relative progress made to date; there is more work to do on Property & Design in particular to make the case for integration.

5)        Investment resources required to achieve integration will need to be reviewed and factored into the 2017/18 budget round.

6)        In parallel, further assurance will be sought over high level financial requirements for ICT and systems investment.

7)        Existing Brighton & Hove staff will retain the council’s terms and conditions and that trade unions will be recognised.

8)        Committee previously delegated authority to the Executive Director, Finance & Resources to agree the timings for services to integrate into the Orbis model of delivery and to sign the Inter-Authority Agreement (IAA) once it is judged appropriate to do so, following consultation with the council’s Lead Member for Orbis, the Council’s Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer.

9)        The two existing Orbis members will undertake due diligence with Brighton & Hove as an integral part of the integration plan, process and activities before all parties are in a position to enter into a binding Inter-Authority Agreement.

55.1         RESOLVED – That the Committee note:

1)        The key financial test has been met, i.e. that the trajectory of Orbis savings is sufficiently aligned with this council’s requirements to make partnership working viable and desirable.

2)        Detailed work will now commence to integrate the council’s corporate services into Orbis, and that progress will be communicated to the Orbis partnership and staff.

3)        By taking this decision now, the council will attain founding partner status and so have a stronger influence over how Orbis manages, shapes and develops its services; this will not be possible if a decision is delayed further.

4)        Services are likely to fully integrate at different times, given their relative complexity, and the relative progress made to date; there is more work to do on Property & Design in particular to make the case for integration.

5)        Investment resources required to achieve integration will need to be reviewed and factored into the 2017/18 budget round.

6)        In parallel, further assurance will be sought over high level financial requirements for ICT and systems investment.

7)        Existing Brighton & Hove staff will retain the council’s terms and conditions and that trade unions will be recognised.

8)        Committee previously delegated authority to the Executive Director, Finance & Resources to agree the timings for services to integrate into the Orbis model of delivery and to sign the Inter-Authority Agreement (IAA) once it is judged appropriate to do so, following consultation with the council’s Lead Member for Orbis, the Council’s Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer.

9)        The two existing Orbis members will undertake due diligence with Brighton & Hove as an integral part of the integration plan, process and activities before all parties are in a position to enter into a binding Inter-Authority Agreement.