The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Shared Regulatory Services Joint Committee: 27 June 2017

Report of the Director of Environment and Housing

Shared Regulatory Services Business Plan 2017- 2018

Purpose of the Report

To seek Joint Committee approval for the Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) 2017-18 Business Plan.

Recommendations

That the Joint Committee notes the content of this report and approves the SRS Business Plan for 2017-18.

2& 3 That the Head of the Shared Regulatory Service is authorised to make administrative amendments to the 2017 /18 Business Plan should the need arise.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The Joint Working Agreement (JWA) specifies (at clause 14) that each year the Head of Regulatory Services will develop a draft Business Plan under the direction of the Management Board
The purpose of the draft Business Plan, specified by the JWA, is to update the information contained in the previous Business Plan; and to identify the proposals for service activities, business and financial objectives, efficiency targets, business continuity planning, risk management, indicative staffing levels and changes, performance targets, costs and income.
The JWA further specifies that the draft Business Plan is submitted to the Joint Committee for approval, and circulated to each participant authority's Proper Officer.

Background

The draft SRS Business Plan reflects the aspirations set out in each of the participant Council's corporate planning processes, along with the national priorities agreed for Regulatory Services in Wales.
The draft SRS Business Plan forms part of the 'golden thread' or 'line of sight' ethos providing clear links between the corporate priorities of the respective Councils and the strategic themes of the Shared Service, through to the areas of work to be delivered in support of these.
The draft SRS Business Plan has been the subject of consultation with the SRS officers, senior managers at the partner Councils and a range of stakeholders. The plan is now presented to the Committee for approval at Appendix A to this report.
The draft SRS Business Plan builds upon the plan approved by the Joint Committee in 2016. That plan focused primarily on the creation of the Shared Service with a mix of 'business as usual' and those implementation activities required to ensure effective service delivery under the new model. The 2017-18 Plan sets out the full range of services provided by SRS under the embedded operating arrangements, an indication of the activities planned for the 17/18 period, a review of performance and the financial projections for the year.

Relevant Issues and Options

The draft plan has been developed through conversations with SRS officers and discussions with different stakeholders. There is broad support for the Strategic Priorities of the Shared Service being:-

Safeguarding health and wellbeing
Protecting the vulnerable, and
Improving the local environment
Supporting the local economy

All of which are underpinned by a fifth Strategic Priority, that of

Maximising the use of our resources

The following changes have been made to the draft Business Plan in the light of consultation feedback:-

a) Section 6 of the plan now seeks to demonstrate clearly, the linkages between the activities carried out by the SRS and their contribution to the priorities set out above

b) The plan contains a lot of important information on Food Hygiene visits; however health partners felt that:

The nutritional content of foods and the Healthy Options Award should be discussed with food retailers.
The Public Health (Wales) Bill includes a motion to create an Obesity Prevention Strategy and the SRS has a role in promoting the aims of the strategy.
Generally, the activities around law enforcement and support could be more aligned to the Public Health Wales Bill.

c) Police partners felt that there should be greater reference to the Crime Prevention and Reduction plan, particularly early intervention and vulnerability/safeguarding - the links to doorstep crime, scams, online crime and fraud are all reflective of the changing demands on policing. The plan has been amended to reflect the move away from the traditional 'street' crime, to more online, behind closed door crime.

With the benefit of the above changes, it is felt that the draft SRS Business Plan presents a detailed position statement on the development of the Shared Service to date and provides a clear timetable for service delivery in the year ahead. On this basis, Members are asked to give the 2017-18 Business Plan their approval.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

There are no significant resource implications associated with this report at this time and programmes of work will be delivered within budget.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

There are no immediate sustainability or climate change implications arising from the approval of the draft SRS business plan.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

There are no particular legal and Human Rights implications to the draft Business Plan.

Crime and Disorder Implications

The draft SRS business plan contains a number of initiatives to protect the vulnerable and reduce crime and disorder in the region.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

The Shared Regulatory Service aims to treat all users fairly and in line with specific needs. An Equalities Impact Assessment has been carried out prior to the Service coming into effect and as such there are no equalities concerns.

Corporate/Service Objectives

The draft SRS Business Plan is the vehicle that links SRS service delivery activities to the corporate objectives of the participant authorities.

Policy Framework and Budget

The adopted Scrutiny regime will engage in the review and developments of plans, policies and strategies that support the corporate objectives of each Council.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

The draft Business Plan has been consulted upon among stakeholders and partner agencies.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

The SRS is currently scrutinised through the arrangements in place at each partner Council.

Background Papers

The Joint Working Agreement between Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Councils on the provision of a Shared Regulatory Service

Contact Officer

Dave Holland, Head of Shared Regulatory Services

Officers Consulted

Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services, Bridgend County Borough Council

Director of Environment, City of Cardiff Council

Director of Environment & Housing Services, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Legal Services, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Accountant, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Responsible Officer:

Miles Punter, Director of Environment & Housing Services, Vale of Glamorgan Council