Alternative Governance - SPINE
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Transcript of Alternative Governance - SPINE
SPINEPublic library services in the East of England working together
Mike Hosking
SPINE
We are: Cambridgeshire, Norfolk,
Suffolk, Essex, Thurrock, Southend and Hertfordshire
Existing relationships and record of joint working
(SCL and Co-East) Strategic endorsement by
corporate directors (ADASS)
Drivers Financial, Strategic Professional
Start up
Gaining early agreement to a vision and common purpose
Different starting points for original six, now seven, partners.
Rules of engagement Feasibility funding from
Improvement East Working to an ‘ambitious’
timetable First milestones-
governance and project management resource
Our project approach
AGILE Project - active participation - hot house, SCRUM, spikes, deep dives….this new terminology describes a more intense and focussed style of project working
Fast paced work-streams, starting high level then identifying areas for more detailed analysis
Everyone committed to putting in substantial capacity
Working to an ambitious timetable
Potential to achieve 25% savings over 3 years
Achievable within timescale Satisfies legal and statutory requirements Manageable risk Transferable and scaleable to other
services, other authorities within the region, and to other regions
Attractive to all stakeholders
Key criteria
Two delivery models have been designed
They will require different forms of governance in terms of delivery vehicles
Working on a cost benefit analysis to enable the board to decide which option goes ahead
Appointed a consultant to test the robustness of the appraisal
Appraisal complete by 12th August for a board decision on the 19th August
Where we are…
Two models
Shared services delivered by a single point, through a traded service or similar, offering stock management and supply, best practice, opportunity generation and horizon scanning for a number of specialisms. Leaving front line delivery and management (possibly) with councils.
Full and separate regional library service, doing everything, via a separate legal entity. Commissioned by the local authority which retains statutory responsibility
Stakeholders
Corporate sponsors
Improvement East
SCL (East of England)
MLA
CouncillorsStaffCitizens or
customersCommunities
Potential benefits / outcomes Service improvement V’s damage limitation Opportunity for us to do things differently:
how will the offer and delivery of it change? maximise use of new technology
Attract Investment Reduce costs / economies for scale Do it once for all
avoid duplication standardise policies and process
Improve customer experience pooled knowledge and resources
Learning and transferability .. Its been a journey (and will continue to be) Change is difficult, wherever you are Conceptual agreement to sharing or relinquishing control
can be challenging when it stops being theoretical (turkeys and Christmas!)
But we have experienced and are modelling remarkable professionalism, which is open and frank and not determined by self interest
We have built stronger relationships, deepened our mutual understanding, and have a strong basis for what happens next. We’ll need these, especially at this stage when we are going to discuss and agree which model we take ahead
Current pace of change - time is running out! Started December 2009 Implement April 2011
Financial – obtaining accurate costs reliable budget projections cash flow
Members accepting radical solution Regional efficiencies V’s local offer Need for continued community involvement Legality Investment
Challenges
Conclusions
The drivers and the precedents get more and more pressing as the budget situation gets clearer and tougher
Working together offers opportunities to preserve and vitally to continue to develop the best of the excellent public library services that we have – do we have any other choice?
What is success?
Contacts
Charles Harvey SPINE Project Manager Essex County Council 01245 244951 mob: 07786125595 [email protected]
Mike Hosking [email protected]