The Head of Corporate Office presented the report of the Director of Finance. The report informed Members that the Change Programme was the Council’s vehicle for developing and implementing the required projects that support the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

The Change Programme had been reviewed and refreshed to ensure it directly supported the refreshed Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Plan (approved by Council in February) and the implementation of the new Council Plan (approved by Council in December 2023).

The re-set of the Council’s Change Programme ensured there was a single, organisational approach to transforming the business that was effectively resourced, controlled and monitored to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities and outcomes, as defined in the Council Plan and the required efficiencies as set out in the MTFP. The report provided Members with an update on progress since the Change Programme was last reported to Policy and Resources Committee in December 2021. The report also provided an overview of the refreshed Change Programme and the rationale for the various elements within it.

Members discussed the progress of change within the Council, noting lessons learnt and benefits realisation of the improvement projects, also noted was the increase in public and Member oversight in recent years.

Resolved – that,

1.  the Council’s Change Programme as presented in this report be supported.

2.  the Elected Member oversight arrangements for the programme as set out in paragraph 8.1 be supported.