Decision details

The following Cabinet Members and Senior Officers were in attendance to present the Cabinet Report - New Support & Customer Services Organisation (NSCSO): Recommendation for Preferred and Reserved Bidder and Full Business Case to the Committee:

Prior to discussion of the item by the Committee Ms Barbara Jacobsen, representing the Barnet Alliance for Public Services (BAPS), read a prepared statement to the Committee setting out BAPS concerns and objections to the proposed decision to outsource the services included within the NSCSO framework.

Following consideration of the statement by the BAPS representative the Chairman, Cllr Finn, informed the Committee that they would aim to review and discuss the report before the Committee along thematic lines focusing on the services affected, impact of changes, location of services, rationale for change, the role of councillors, contract assurance, and the business case from both the council’s and preferred bidders perspective.

In discussing the item the Committee received assurances in relation to the input of scrutiny members in the decision making process, outsourcing initiatives undertaken by other local authorities that had been reviewed by the NSCSO team, financial modelling undertaken in preparing the business case, future performance monitoring mechanisms including business rate collection targets, flexibility within the proposed contract to mitigate against budget fluctuations and legislative changes, and break clauses in the contract. The Committee also received clarification on the exact location of services in the future including face-to-face customer services.

The Committee also received assurances from the Cabinet Members that staff affected by the transformation process would receive appropriate levels of support and guidance.

The Committee was also informed that representatives from the successful bidder would be expected to respond and give account to the council’s overview and scrutiny committees as appropriate.

Following discussion with and questioning of the Cabinet Members and officers the Committee:

RESOLVED that:

1. Cabinet place special concern on staff transferring to the new provider ensuring these staff receive appropriate support during this process

2. Cabinet ensure that representatives of Capita are required to give account to and support the work of Overview and Scrutiny as appropriate

3. Cabinet put in place appropriate resources to mitigate against potential employment liabilities in relation to TUPE should at the end of the contract with the provider Cabinet decide to bring services back in-house

4. The Committee recommend to Council the establishment of a dedicated scrutiny committee to monitor and assess the performance of the NSCSO following the transfer of services and that the Cabinet be requested to endorse this recommendation