Public reports pack Wednesday 22-Jul-2015 19.00 Council

Page 321. Councillor Louise NathansonTo: Councillor Paul McGlone – Deputy Leader (Finance and Investment)Shared ServicesFollowing the Conservative Group's Alternative Budget, what investigation has the Councilmade into sharing services (excluding health) across boroughs as has happened in the restof the country, and the savings that could be made?Party: ConservativeAnswer:In the context of the starkest financial challenge faced by local government, the Council hasbeen proactive in ensuring all opportunities for shared services are explored. We arecommitted to maximising the potential of a shared service approach with other localauthorities, public sector partners and social enterprises, where doing so would help theCouncil achieve its priorities and where this would save money. To date we have a numberof arrangements in place, with further developments in progress to ensure we continue tocontrol costs. Insurance ServicesSince 2009, Lambeth has procured its corporate property and liability insurance contractsthrough procurement exercises undertaken by the Insurance London Consortium (ILC) onbehalf of its nine members. The consortium continues to look to secure competitive termsand conditions for all participating authorities, improved risk management and synergiesacross its membership. WasteWe are currently in the Western Riverside Waste Authority (WRWA) and exploring optionsfor further joint or shared arrangements in the future when current waste collection contractscome to an end in 2021. Possible joint procurement or shared activity is already beingexplored for recyclables. Employment and Skills ProgrammeWe have ‘informal’ joint working arrangements with Lewisham and Southwark Councils inplace to deliver a pilot model of integrated welfare (benefits), employment and skillsprogrammes. We also have an increasing number of bids in the pipeline for newprogrammes (European Funds) which require boroughs to work jointly. Grounds MaintenanceWe are developing an options appraisal for a shared service on parks ground maintenance,to link with our Cooperative Parks programme. Audit and Counter-FraudHaving formed and joined the Cross-Council Assurance Framework with five other boroughsworking in partnership with PwC, we are developing the building blocks which will enableshared services for the delivery of internal audit services. The partnership is also developingan options appraisal to support a shared service business case. CommunicationsLamCo has a range of contracts generating income, but the main one is running the Harrowcommunications function. This allows for some cross-over and sharing, such as with design.