Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the organisational change principles being undertaken within Property and Project Delivery to achieve the 13/14 and 14/15 savings targets.

Derek Quilter – Divisional Director Project Management introduced the report.

The Panel raised the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Gerrish raised a concern that the savings proposed in the budget are not coming through – he asked if the savings would be achieved in the timescale. Andrew Pate, Strategic Director for Resources explained that there were tough targets for the department and that only one dimension of this had been staffing. He explained that there had been a lot of restructuring and cutting out duplication. He stated that he was confident that the targets would be achieved but the question was the timescale. He assured members that it would not be a recurring problem.

Councillor Bellotti – Cabinet Member for Community Resources stated that the savings are not all made up from staff cuts. He made the following points: that the budget will have over and underspends but would come in roughly on target; there had been a substantial and unexpected increase in the income for the Roman Baths; a lot of duplication has been cut out in the Property department and there are now 10 academies so there is not such a call on Council services.