Issue - meetings

That the Transforming East Herts Business Case be endorsed.

That the Commercial Strategy be approved.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability presented the Transforming East Herts report. He said that the Transformation Programme was launched last year to enable the council to meet its financial challenges as an alternative to cutting front line services. The report presented the business case for the programme.

Councillor Williamson said that the proposals cover a CRM system so that residents would be able to engage more effectively with the council. The new commercial strategy aimed to embed a commercial mind set in staff to give them the commercial skills to identify new opportunities. He added that this was a huge piece of work undertaken by the Leadership Team and thanked Officers.

Councillor Haysey reiterated Councillor Williamson’s gratitude and hoped that the introduction of a CRM would reduce any duplicate working.

Councillor Pope also gave his thanks to Officers. He asked if Officers would be encouraged to take risks in a controlled way and how they would be scrutinised and would there be an impact on the council’s risk register.

Councillor Williamson responded that the commercial strategy detailed a strong process for any proposals coming forward and how to encourage Officers to take risks in a controlled way. If they were deemed to be high risk to the council, they would be entered onto the council’s risk register.

The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that any projects deemed to be a risk to the council would be entered onto the risk register which was reviewed on a regular basis.

Councillor Williamson proposed, and Councillor Boylan seconded a motion supporting the recommendations in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That (A) the Transforming East Herts Business Case be endorsed; and

(B) the Commercial Strategy be approved.