Decision details

Members were informed that the total oneSource shared budget for 2016-17 was £43.595m. The joint working was set to realise at least £14.6m of savings in the period up to 2018/19. This included the original business case savings of £10.4m, an additional £3.5m added as part of the 2016/17- 19 Medium Term Financial Strategy and a further £0.7m of savings achievable through LB Bexley joining the partnership.

Each Council had approved funding to oneSource as part of their respective budget reports and Council Tax setting.

The 2015/16 forecast budget position as at Period 9 (December 2015) showed a pressure of £549k, with £88k relating to Havering and £461k relating to Newham. It was reported that the shared overspend was largely due to delays in implementing service review recommendations and associated service restructures. Management had implemented a number of strategies to drive down the overspend with a number of vacancies remaining open to assist with this.

A concern was raised regarding a perceived reduction in the levels of support from the back office to assist front line services. It was agreed that Members be provided with monthly updates from senior oneSource managers on progress to deliver the new oneSource strategy.

The report also explained that oneSource non shared budgets for both Havering and Newham showed a projected underspend position. Outturn variances on non shared services affect the relevant council only.

The Joint Committee: -

1.      noted the 2016-17 oneSource shared and non shared budgets;

2.                 noted the period 9 2015/16 oneSource shared and non shared forecast outturns;

3.      approved the 2016-17 budget allocation to services.