Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review & Scrutiny Committee Item 5

19 November 2008

Best value review of Service Level Agreements with Hampshire County Council for the provision of various support functions: progress report

Report of the Chief Officer

1

Summary

1.1

This review examined the value for money of various corporate support services provided to the Authority by Hampshire County Council. It also examined the quality and effectiveness of the arrangements to manage the service level agreements. The findings and conclusions of the review - undertaken by an external consultant from SOLACE Enterprises - were first reported in June 2006. Since that time the Committee has been kept informed of the steady progress made in implementing the review's recommendations. Appendix 1 sets out the latest position.

1.2

It has taken longer than originally anticipated to implement the recommendations. However, in accepting that some of the actions are inevitably `on-going' in nature, a position has now been reached where the officers feel confident to recommend that the review can be `signed-off' as completed.

1.3

The review has been particularly valuable in sharpening-up the formal documentation and arrangements for the day-to-day management of the various service level agreements. It recognised that the shared objectives of both authorities for continuous improvement in the quality and cost-effectiveness of `back-office' functions meant that the service level agreements were operating as a genuine partnership arrangement.

2

Recommendations

2.1

That the actions taken in response to the outcomes of the best value review of service level agreements for the provision of various support functions by Hampshire County Council (set out in Appendix 1 to the report) be noted; and

2.2

That the recommendations be regarded as having been implemented and the review as completed.

3

People Impact Assessment

3.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered in the light of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

3.2

There are no equality issues arising from the recommendations in this report to bring to the Committee's attention.

4

Risk analysis

4.1

We are expected to deliver good value for money. Failure to do so leaves the Authority exposed to public criticism and the risk of reputational damage. By implementing the recommendations of this important review, the Authority has mitigated that risk by demonstrating its commitment to pursuing economy and efficiency in the delivery of its support services; and also by seeking to improve the management of a key partnership (with the Hampshire County Council).

5

Background information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

· Report by Mike Ellis, Consultant, SOLACE Enterprises `Service Level Agreements for the provision of support services by Hampshire County Council' (http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/review_of_service_level_agreements_report_may_06.pdf)

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.

Appendix 1 - Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements - Action Plan