Members of the Policy and Resources Committee last night (Thursday, 19 July 2018) agreed proposals to undertake review to enable a potential realignment of the council’s partnership with Capita.
Hendon Town Hall
Committee members approved the recommendation that Barnet Council will undertake the review, with a view to bringing a final business case to committee in the autumn. The business case will test all the options put forward in the report at last night’s committee.
The review reflects the council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring service delivery arrangements are as effective and efficient as possible. It also takes account of both the positive benefits the contract has delivered and the new strategic approach outlined by Capita earlier this year.
The council has two major contracts with Capita, to deliver back office services and development and regulatory services. The partnership has delivered significant financial savings since their commencement in 2013, as well as efficiencies and improvements across a range of services. However, there are other services where performance improvement is needed.
Committee members last night considered the proposals which set out the services being considered for a potential return to the council. These include Finance, Strategic HR, Management of the council’s land and property, Highways, Regeneration, Strategic Planning and Cemeteries and Crematoriums.
Seventeen services are proposed to stay with Capita, including Revenue & Benefits, Planning Applications, IT and Customer Services. The report set out to members the principle that any realignment must deliver high quality services and secure best value for Barnet residents.
The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said: “Our priority is to deliver good quality, value for money services to our residents. Many things are working well and it’s right that we build on them. Where this is not the case, changes are needed.
"The committee has agreed the proposed review to realign services delivered under the Capita contracts. The review will develop more detailed proposals that will be brought back to committee in the autumn.
"It’s important to stress that any changes will only be recommended on the basis that they provide a good deal for the Barnet taxpayer.”
Jonathan Prew, Managing Director, Local Public Services, Capita, said: “We have partnered with Barnet since 2013. The review is an opportunity to respond to changing circumstances and needs that have evolved over the last five years to ensure that a future partnership is focused on providing services that will deliver best value for residents and all stakeholders. Our partnership has achieved significant financial benefits and we continue to be focused on strengthening our performance where we need to and delivering quality services across the borough.”