Decision details

To consider a report of the Leader and the Chief Executive seeking approval to recommend Southampton City Council’s Change Programme to full Council. 

Southampton City Council aims to be a modern, efficient organisation focussed on and valued by its customers, an ambitious, innovative and leading employer setting high standards and the central city and Solent region partner. Given that the Council has to reduce its budget by around £75 million over the next 3 years, it is essential that we consider how to shape the Council for the future.  This report provides details about the Change Programme which will help us to transform the way we do business to reduce costs by more than 30% in the next 3 years and to be a fit for purpose organisation by 2015.

(i)  To approve the Change Programme.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Chief Executive to develop the Change Programme projects detailed in this report, following consultation with the Leader of the Council.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Senior Manager, Finance, to progress options for delivering services through third party bodies using a range of governance structures and models, including (but not limited to) a Local Authority Trading Company.

The financial challenges faced by the Council makes it imperative for the Council to adopt radical and different approaches to meeting customer needs, service delivery models and maximising the potential of our employees. The Change Programme will help us do this and shape the Council for the future.  In doing so, the Change Programme will help us become more ‘customer-focussed’, ‘efficient’ and ‘business-like’.

None.