Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report assesses progress to date with the new arrangements for Financial Systems Training, and confirms that a full review should be undertaken after the first full year of the new arrangements.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. Revised arrangements for financial systems training and progress to date.

3) Recommendations:

3.1. It is recommended that progress in improving take up of Financial Systems Training be noted, and a further review report be made in May 2009 to the Executive Member to cover the whole of 2008/09.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information:

1.1. In his meeting on 16 May 2008, the Executive Member considered the arrangements in place for financial system training. A lack of buy-in from departments had led to concerns that staff were not receiving the training needed to make sure that best use was being made of the County's systems. Accordingly, revised arrangements were agreed so that funding is independent of attendance and there is maximum encouragement for departments to send staff on the relevant training. Accordingly, the Executive Member agreed that:

· £120,000 be allocated to County Treasurer's in 2008/09, on a potentially recurring basis to support the service

· a progress report be made in six months

· the position be reviewed further in May 2009, including giving consideration to extending the departmental levy to replace the corporate support proposed if the approach has not been successful.

1.2. In line with the new arrangements the package agreed (with 2008/09 original budget in brackets) consists of:

· a corporate IT levy on all Hantsnet users (£210,000)

· a contribution from the Executive Member's contingency (£120,000)

· a requirement for the training team to generate further income (£27,300).

2) Key Issues:

2.1. The first six months of operation show a number of positive aspects:

· delegate numbers increased significantly over 2007/08 on standard courses which are now free at the point of delivery (+67%)

· changes to the course schedule show a net increase of 10 courses against a net decrease of 11 courses in the previous year

· delegate feedback continues to meet the target of exceeding 90% positive ratings across all measures

· usage of the team's training suites is at its highest level since the SAP roll-out which ended in 2004

· the number of delegates not turning up for courses has increased only marginally - from 8% to 9% - even though the expansion in numbers is likely to have increased the number of less motivated scheduled attendees. Normal sickness rates would account for around half of this. Course numbers are set to take account of likely absence levels, but nonetheless it is hoped to reduce this figure and that will be the subject of further monitoring.

2.2 It remains the case that the unpredictable nature of IT development work and staff turnover among system users makes it difficult to forecast demand and appropriate timing before courses, and this does lead to some cancellation of events due to insufficient numbers, but that is likely under any arrangements.

2.3 The Corporate Management Team set up a group of senior managers with representation from HR, PBRS and Children's Services to monitor the new arrangements, and they have concluded that they have worked well in this initial period.

2.4 At this early stage, then, the signs are that the new arrangements are working positively. However, the full year's data will give a better view and enable a maximally informed assessment of the best future funding arrangements.

3) Outline of Options:

3.1. Option 1:

a) Request a further report covering all of 2008/09.

3.2. Option 2:

a) Base conclusions on the first six months of activity without requiring any further updates as were originally envisaged.

4) Option Analysis / Comparison:

4.1. Whilst a decision could be made at this point, there is a case, as envisaged in the original report, for seeing a full year's activity before coming to firm conclusions about the success of the new arrangements.

5) Conclusions:

5.1. The new arrangements are working well at this stage. Monitoring will continue through to the end of year review.

6) Recommendations:

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

a) Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

a) The County Council has a legal obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all the decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposals in this report have no impact on the prevention of crime.

3. Climate Change:

a) Proposals have no effect on climate change.