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Issue - meetings

Publica Transition Plan Phase 2

 

 

Meeting: 10/03/2025 - Cabinet (Item 78)

78 Publica Transition Plan Phase 2 pdf icon PDF 570 KB

Purpose

To consider the document Publica Transition: A Plan for Phase 2 of Council Services (“Phase 2 Transition Plan”), to note its contents and to approve the recommendations therein.

 

Recommendation(s)

That Cabinet resolves to Recommend to Full Council to:

  1. Approve the implementation of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition on the basis of the Phase 2 Transition Plan;
  2. Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council the decision to deal with any final detail matters arising from the Phase 2 Transition Plan;
  3. Delegate authority to the Director of Governance in liaison with the Leader to update the constitution by making any consequential changes required as a result of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition.
  4. Carry out a budget re-basing for the 2026/7 financial year so that the funding provided to Publica is proportionate to the services received.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to consider the Publica Transition Phase 2 Transition Plan, to note its contents and to approve the recommendations therein.

 

Proposed by:  Councillor Mike Evemy

Seconded by:  Councillor Juliet Layton

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council to:

 

  1. Approve the implementation of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition on the basis of the Phase 2 Transition Plan;
  2. Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council the decision to deal with any final detail matters arising from the Phase 2 Transition Plan;
  3. Delegate authority to the Director of Governance in liaison with the Leader to update the constitution by making any consequential changes required as a result of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition.
  4. Carry out a budget re-basing for the 2026/7 financial year so that the funding provided to Publica is proportionate to the services received.

 

Voting Record: 4 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain.

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to consider the Publica Transition Plan Phase 2 Transition Plan, to note its content, and to approve the recommendations therein.

 

It was noted that the Plan had already been presented to Overview and Scrutiny and that a final decision was to be made at Council on 19 March 2025.

 

The Chief Executive Officer highlighted the key differences in Phase 2, particularly the reduced number of services being transitioned due to local government reorganisation and financial priorities. Waste, leisure, project management, and property and assets were identified as key areas for transition. It was confirmed that staff communication had been ongoing, and lessons learned from Phase 1, particularly regarding communications, had been applied. The complexity of Phase 2 was noted due to fragmented (i.e. shared) roles across multiple councils.

The Deputy Leader emphasised the rationale for the transition, citing improved focus on Council priorities, clearer performance measurement, and greater agility in service delivery. Financial implications were acknowledged but the transition seen as important for future efficiency and savings.

Cabinet Members highlighted improved staff morale and the benefits of direct Council management following Phase 1 implementation. Optimism about a potential Phase 3 was expressed.

Cabinet reviewed and noted three recommendations put forward by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The recommendations included linking Phase 3 considerations to local government reorganisation, conducting an annual review, and giving consideration to wider communications about the Publica Transition to the public and town and parish councils. Cabinet approved the responses to the recommendations that had been circulated at the meeting.

 

Proposed by:  Councillor Mike Evemy

Seconded by:  Councillor Juliet Layton

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council to: 

1.     Approve the implementation of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition based on the Phase 2 Transition Plan; 

2.     Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council the decision to deal with any final detail matters arising from the Phase 2 Transition Plan; 

3.     Delegate authority to the Director of Governance in liaison with the Leader to update the constitution by making any consequential changes required as a result of Phase 2 of the Publica Transition. 

4.     Carry out a budget re-basing for the 2026/7 financial year so that the funding provided to Publica is proportionate to the services received.

 

Voting Record:

4 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

 

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