The Committee received a report that outlined the draft Best Value Plan that had been prepared in response to the Secretary of State’s Directions.  The Committee was asked to consider and comment upon the attached draft Best Value Action Plan prior to its submission to the Commissioners for their review and agreement, in order that the Council complies with the one of the directions issued by the Secretary of State on 17th December 2014.  The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows.

• In response to concerns regarding the level of member engagement in the process to prepare the Action Plan.  The Committee was advised that LBTH had, had to work within the tight timescales laid down the Secretary of State undertaken a significant amount of work.  The Committee was also assured that there would be updates on the Action Plan every six months and any evidence relating to the Action Plan would be provided in a timely fashion.  Notwithstanding, these assurances regarding the development of the dialogue with regard to the Action Plan the Committee indicated that that it would have wished to have commenced this dialogue earlier to avoid having to retrospectively include councillors views into the process e.g. The Procurement Plan.
• The Committee heard that ideally councillors would have been engaged more effectively but this is the start of what will be a very long process.
• The Committee indicated that they would wish to see the Council’s constitution and governance arrangements subject to a review.
• The Committee heard that with regard to East End Life and the Media Advisers LBTH has learned from the findings of Office of Communications (OFCOM) and set in place mechanisms to address those concerns regarding East End Life and protocols regarding the Media Advisers who are subject to monitoring from outside the Mayor’s Office.  The Committee heard that East End Life is code compliant as if offers value for money and is subject to an ongoing dialogue with the Commissioners.
• The Committee indicated that they would wish to be involved in the review of the communications element of the Best Value Action Plan.
• The Committee heard that it would be engaged in dialogue regarding the communications element of the Plan.  In addition, whilst the Commissioners have not yet taken a view on East End Life at this stage of the process if that was to change then there will be a report back to this Committee.
• The Committee heard that with regard to the checks and balances for Main Stream Grants (MSG) and the Community Chest.  It is intended that all grant giving will be within a common framework and that the Commissioners will determine the structure and direction of both the MSG and innovative capacity building grants.
• The Committee stated that it would wish to see the outcomes and goals in relation to the Plan.
• The Committee indicated that it would wish to develop a dialogue with the Commissioners about the process.
• The Committee heard that the entire grant giving function is no longer in LBTH control.  The Commissioners are now the decision making body until they are satisfied with the robustness of the process and return that function to LBTH control.
• The Committee were advised that the Plan is a living document that the Commissioners have helped to develop and part of the ongoing challenge will be how councillors are involved in this process.  Part of that process will be the development of the cross party working group.
• The Committee whilst acknowledging that this is a new process stated that it wished to see a more transformational plan with a robust direction of travel.
• The Committee heard that the Plan is a good first start but it is an initial phase of the process and as a living document will be subject to an ongoing review over the forth coming year.

• Notwithstanding the above comments the Committee indicated that it felt that there are weaknesses in the plan that requires improvement.  Particularly about organisational culture and the lack of trust between councillors/officers and whether this would be sufficiently addressed.
• However, it was noted the plan was a work in progress and the Commissioners have endorsed LGA’s facilitation of the development of the trust between elected members and the officer corp.  The Committee stated that it would wish to see councillors having the opportunity to participate in that process.  The Committee also recognised that it will take time to develop this Plan and address all those issues that have been highlighted.
• The Committee recognised that there is a process of reconciliation that needs to be undertaken if this Plan is to be taken forward.
• The Committee was informed that the Commissioners do consider that they have a role to play in the development of the Plan.

In conclusion, as a result of a wide ranging examination of the document the Committee indicated that whilst they acknowledged that the Plan was a work in progress.  They did have particular concerns about organisational culture and the perceived lack of trust between councillors and officers that they wished to be addressed.