The Chief Executive introduced the report on the proposed Change Programme required to support the implementation of the Wirral Plan by ensuring the Council’s operating model was as effective and efficient as possible. This would lead to the optimisation of Council resources in relation to delivering the Wirral Plan priorities and outcomes.

The Assistant Director: Strategic Change then gave further details on the programme which took account of the linked to exceptional financial support External Assurance Review (EAR) recommendations published on the 2 November, 2021. The Change Programme had been put forward as part of the Council’s evidence to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC formerly MHCLG) that the Council had the capability to implement a programme of change to deliver the required savings to achieve financial sustainability.

The EAR reports and recommendations provided a clear steer to the Council and officers had acknowledged this in the design of programmes presented in this report. The overall goals of the Change Programme were to:

·  Support the delivery of the Wirral Plan, approved by Council on 6 September 2021, by helping improve outcomes for residents.

·  Support the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy by ensuring the Council’s operating model provided best value in prioritising the Council’s services and investment around the greatest need.

The Chief Executive responded to a number of comments from Members and elaborated on the role of the Finance Sub-Committee in providing oversight of business cases as they were developed and the reporting procedure through this Committee and on to Council as and when required. There would be an increasing role for Committee Chairs and Party Spokespersons in the direction of savings, but in the knowledge that both the Leadership and Governance report and CIPFA reports highlighted the increasing role of this Committee and its Sub-Committee in providing direction and steer on the Financial Recovery Plan. Decisions would need to be made quickly whilst ensuring the stability and security of the Council in the delivery of major change programmes and whilst maintaining the confidence of the workforce.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

Resolved – That,

(1)  the Chief Executive be requested to progress and implement the Change Programme and required service reviews to deliver a new operating model;

(2)  it be agreed that oversight of the Programme be through P&R Finance Sub-Committee who will review emerging business cases and receive regular updates on progress.