Agenda item

12.1

The Executive Director, Communities, submitted a report containing details of the work undertaken, amongst other things, on the consultation with tenants, other customers and staff on the delivery of housing services in Sheffield following the transfer of Sheffield Homes staff to the Council on 1^st April, 2013.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the updates given in this report; and

(b)

requests that a further report be presented to Cabinet when the outcomes of the service design work are known, detailing the longer-term proposals for the structure of housing services.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

At its meeting on 21^st March 2012, Cabinet asked for a report to be brought back to Cabinet at a suitable time to ‘set out the proposed organisational structure and a timetable for implementation’.

12.3.2

This report satisfies that request – in its details of the location of Sheffield Homes Teams from 1^st April 2013, and in its update on the progress of the Programme as a whole.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

An alternative option for the organisational location of Sheffield Homes teams within the Council from 1^st April 2013 was considered.  This option involved dispersing Sheffield Homes teams more widely across the Council.

12.4.2

However, the long-term organisational location of Sheffield Homes teams within the Council will not be known until the service design work is completed.  Therefore, to minimise any potential disruption to service delivery, and to reduce uncertainty for staff, the option to locate the majority of teams within the Communities Portfolio under a Director with lead responsibility for Council Housing was chosen.

12.4.3

Those teams who are transferring to a different location (eg. to the Resources Portfolio) are support services.  For these specific teams, being located with the equivalent service in the Council will enable them to perform their function most effectively.

12.4.4

Although the majority of services will initially transfer to the Communities Portfolio, some teams will have regular interfaces with services within Place (eg. those working on council housing capital investment and strategy).  This will help ensure that the necessary links are made to ensure that we maximise the benefits for integration.

12.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

12.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

12.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Richard Webb, Executive Director, Communities.

12.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities.

12.1

The Executive Director, Communities, submitted a report containing details of the work undertaken, amongst other things, on the consultation with tenants, other customers and staff on the delivery of housing services in Sheffield following the transfer of Sheffield Homes staff to the Council on 1^st April, 2013.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the updates given in this report; and

(b)

requests that a further report be presented to Cabinet when the outcomes of the service design work are known, detailing the longer-term proposals for the structure of housing services.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

At its meeting on 21^st March 2012, Cabinet asked for a report to be brought back to Cabinet at a suitable time to ‘set out the proposed organisational structure and a timetable for implementation’.

12.3.2

This report satisfies that request – in its details of the location of Sheffield Homes Teams from 1^st April 2013, and in its update on the progress of the Programme as a whole.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

An alternative option for the organisational location of Sheffield Homes teams within the Council from 1^st April 2013 was considered.  This option involved dispersing Sheffield Homes teams more widely across the Council.

12.4.2

However, the long-term organisational location of Sheffield Homes teams within the Council will not be known until the service design work is completed.  Therefore, to minimise any potential disruption to service delivery, and to reduce uncertainty for staff, the option to locate the majority of teams within the Communities Portfolio under a Director with lead responsibility for Council Housing was chosen.

12.4.3

Those teams who are transferring to a different location (eg. to the Resources Portfolio) are support services.  For these specific teams, being located with the equivalent service in the Council will enable them to perform their function most effectively.

12.4.4

Although the majority of services will initially transfer to the Communities Portfolio, some teams will have regular interfaces with services within Place (eg. those working on council housing capital investment and strategy).  This will help ensure that the necessary links are made to ensure that we maximise the benefits for integration.

12.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

12.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

12.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Richard Webb, Executive Director, Communities.

12.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities.