48 MCa/19/23 DEVELOPMENT OF BUILDING SERVICES BUSINESS PLAN PDF 579 KB
Cabinet Member for Housing
Additional documents:
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That a business case is developed jointly by officers of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and Flagship Group which explores the opportunities a joint venture would create to deliver Building Services.
1.2 That A business case, with a preferred option for the delivery of Building Services is presented to Cabinet, by early 2020, for a decision.
Reason for Decision: The delivery of an efficient and effective, value for money building service continues to present a range of challenges. To ensure we provide the highest level of service to our tenants whilst managing costs, the development of this business case would explore the opportunities and benefits to deliver services within an alternative business model in the future.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 A range of options have been considered before submitting this report.
1.2 The first option is the ‘Status Quo’ in which officers would continue to manage and develop the Building Service in accordance to the current Business Plan.
1.3 The second option is to consider alternatives to the current business model, which could include outsourcing the service or finding an alternative partner to enter into a joint venture with. However, these have been discounted because there are no immediate opportunities to develop these options.
Any Declaration of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced report MCa/19/23 and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Whitehead.
Councillor Fleming queried the wording of paragraph 2.3 of the report and felt that this conflicted with the wording of recommendation 3.1. The Assistant Director for Housing confirmed that Flagship Group was the only partner being considered for a joint venture.
Councillor Fleming then asked for clarification regarding the reference to RFT Services in paragraphs 4.22 and 4.23 of the report. It was explained that RFT Services referred to Right First Time Services which were the repairs and maintenance division of Flagship Group. Councillor Fleming requested that the report be amended to reflect this.
Members discussed the costs to both Mid Suffolk District Council and Flagship Group involved in developing a business case for the joint venture. It was confirmed that the business case would be developed jointly.
Following a discussion it was agreed that recommendation 3.1 be amended to read: ‘That a business case is developed jointly by officers of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and Flagship Group which explores the opportunities a joint venture would create to deliver Building Services’.
Councillor Eburne queried if a cap should be imposed on the costs of the development of a business case. Confirmation was provided that there was a cap of £10,000 already in place in total for the two districts.
Councillor Eburne went on to raise concerns over the protection of existing members of staff within BMBS Buildings Services. Gavin Fisk provided details of the staff event which had recently taken place.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That a business case is developed jointly by officers of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and Flagship Group which explores the opportunities a joint venture would create to deliver Building Services.
1.2 That a business case, with a preferred option for the delivery of Building Services is presented to Cabinet, by early 2020, for a decision.
Reason for Decision: The delivery of an efficient and effective, value for money building service continues to present a range of challenges. To ensure we provide the highest level of service to our tenants whilst managing costs, the development of this business case would explore the opportunities and benefits to deliver services within an alternative business model in the future.