Agenda Item No. 7

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Shared Regulatory Services Joint Committee: 19th June 2018

Report of the Director of Environment and Housing

Shared Regulatory Services Business Plan 2018- 2019

Purpose of the Report

1. To seek Joint Committee approval for the Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) 2018-19 Business Plan.

Recommendations

1. That the Joint Committee notes the content of this report and approves the SRS Business Plan for 2018-19.
2. That the Head of the Shared Regulatory Service is authorised to make administrative amendments to the 2018 /19 Business Plan should the need arise.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1. 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
2. The purpose of the Business Plan, as 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 a draft Business Plan is submitted to the Joint Committee for approval, and, once approved, circulated to each participant Authority's Proper Officer.

Background

2. 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.
3. The draft SRS Business Plan has a 'golden thread' or 'line of sight' to the corporate priorities of the respective Councils. The strategic themes of the Shared Service identify the areas of work that are delivered in support of these corporate priorities.
4. The draft SRS Business Plan has been the subject of consultation with the SRS officers, senior managers at the partner Councils, a range of stakeholders and was presented to the Environmental Scrutiny Committee at Cardiff on June 5th.  The Plan (Appendix A) is now presented to the Committee for approval. Members will be provided with a brief presentation identifying the key issues for 2018/19 at the Committee meeting.

Relevant Issues and Options

5. The draft Plan has been developed through conversations with SRS officers and discussions with different stakeholders. There is broad support for continued use of the existing strategic priorities namely:

• Improving health and wellbeing
• Safeguarding the vulnerable
• Protecting 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.

6. The draft SRS Business Plan builds upon the Plan approved by the Joint Committee in 2017. 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. This Plan sets out the full range of services provided by SRS under the embedded operating arrangements, an indication of the activities planned for the 18/19 period, the financial projections for the year, and a review of performance for 2017/18. The Plan has been subject to consultation with stakeholders and was presented to the Environmental Scrutiny Committee at Cardiff Council on 5th June. Some minor changes have been made to the Plan as a consequence of that process.  On this basis, Members are asked to approve the 2018/19 SRS Business Plan.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

7. The financial resource implications arising from budget reductions in this period have been considered previously as part of the three year financial strategy for the service. The programmes of work identified in the Plan will be delivered within budget.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

8. 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)

9. There are no particular legal and Human Rights implications arising from the draft SRS Business Plan.

Crime and Disorder Implications

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. The draft SRS Business Plan has been discussed with a range of stakeholders and partner agencies.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

15. 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 dared 2015 and revised July 2017.

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 and Housing, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Legal Services, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Accountant, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Responsible Officer:

Miles Punter, Director of Environment and Housing, Vale of Glamorgan Council