Decision details

An update report to inform the committee of the progress in implementing the Orbis Business Plan

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Property Officer on Service Development and Integration (Service Spotlights). The Assistant Chief Executive (ESCC) gave the Committee an update on the progress to establish Orbis Public Law.

Key points raised during the discussion:

1. Service spotlights for Property Services, Business Operations and Procurement were presented to the Committee. Further information was also presented under item 11 of the agenda.
2. Orbis Public Law is a partnership of four local authorities to provide legal services. The partner authorities are BHCC, ESCC, Surrey County Council (SCC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC). 
3. Progress to date has included agreeing the strategic business case, appointing a Project Manager, Emma Nash, and conducting a soft launch of Orbis Public Law on 4 April 2016. The first Orbis Public Law Joint Committee will take place in July 2016. Work has started to establish a common practice manual and implement a common case management software system to enable staff from all the authorities to access case information.
4. The partners have held twelve ‘think change’ sessions with staff and a number of managers’ workshops. There have been good examples of peer to peer support (e.g. “phone a friend” ) and work on joint recruitment protocols. Each authority has set up its own staff stakeholder group and is part of a common partnership board.

5.    One of the workstreams for Orbis Public Law is to evaluate the possibility of establishing a separate trading company to provide services. The regulatory requirements of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority have made this process more complex and it will take a number of months to complete. The evaluation will establish whether it is worthwhile doing this having regard to cost and issues such as the academisation agenda.

Resolved:

The recommendations agreed from this report are detailed under item 11.