Decision details

The Committee considered a report on the work done to integrate the Orbis Public Law partnership, introduced by Philip Baker.

Witnesses:

Philip Baker, Assistant Chief Executive (ESCC ) and Interim Head of Orbis Public Law 

Rachel Crossley, Director of Strategy Commissioning (SCC) 

Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorgis, Executive Lead Officer, Strategy Governance and Law (BHCC)

Tony Kershaw, Director of Law and Assurance (WSCC)

Key Points:

1)    Philip Baker set out the work to be done in the coming months by the Interim Leadership Team (ILT) in assessing the current work and complexity levels, to provide an understanding of the collective demand and resource available.  The ILT will then design the best model to deliver OPL’s objectives and the single service.  This will lead to best practice and procedures being shared across the partnership and allow centres of excellence to be developed. 

2)    The current work on developing a shared case management system was highlighted, together with the results of the staff engagement survey and the alignment work being undertaken with teams which were not part of OPL pathfinder projects.

3)    The Committee reflected on the survey results and the differing level of take up among the authorities.  Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorgis set out that some BHCC staff had commented that the pace of change was not fast enough.   Philip Baker explained the ways that the ILT were engaging with the staff, via email and office noticeboards, using the results of the survey as a guide.  He also set out the benefits that had already accrued in terms of peer support and training opportunities.

4)    The Committee commented on recruitment and retention of staff, and the potential for developing staff within OPL. 

5)    The Committee reviewed the performance data and   commented on the differential in child care applications between the authorities and the associated external expenditure.  This was discussed later in the agenda under the advocacy project which sets out OPL’s strategy to address this external spend. 

6)    Officers present emphasised the importance of consistent data across the partners, and the challenges posed by approaches to time-recording. A data review is underway to ensure that the data supports the delivery of the business plan.  Officers also explained the workshare principles which will be developed further, but which were welcomed as a way of seeing how other teams approach similar issues.  An update with case hours at the next meeting was offered. 

7)    Members were supportive of OPL’s achievements so far, are very keen that the partners keep up the pace and deliver the business plan on time. 

RESOLUTIONS

The Joint Committee RESOLVED to endorse the approach taken towards an integrated service.