Decision details

·     Full business case setting out case for change and vision for the future with options to deliver whole council transformation.

·     Final transformation plan more fully formed to support the delivery programme for OFC and provide detail on wider service transformation plans.

·     Setting out strategic framework for transformation for 2025-29

(a)       Cabinet endorsed the overall vision and design of Our Future Council operating model and transformation programme as detailed in the business case at Appendix A of the report to 28 January 2025.

(b)       That the proposed costs, savings and implementation plans based on scenario 4 as set out in sections 4 and 5 of the report and in more detail in the business case at Appendix A, sections 4 and 5, be approved.

(c)        That Cabinet notes that this business case was based on the proposal to transform the organisation, implement a new operating model, and increase productivity through the greater use of technology. The proposal identified an estimated potential investment of £48.33M over the period 2025-28, which would release cumulative staff savings of £77.4M over the period 2025-30.

(d)       That Cabinet notes that the Our Future Council programme would continue to be refined as we moved into the implementation phase, but to fund the business case Cabinet agreed to:

(i)    Earmark a further £13M in addition to the £12M already committed to the capital programme for the Enterprise Resource Planning system. This would fund the potential investment in technology and process change – noting that individual funding decisions in excess of the key decision threshold would be subject to individual business cases to be brought before Cabinet for approval.

(ii)   That Cabinet approve the estimated redundancy costs of £9.5M over the programme, be initially funded from reserves, noting that the reserves would need to be replenished through budget savings over subsequent years.

(iii) That Cabinet approve the need for investment in internal and external additional capacity to implement the project, to be reviewed on an annual basis, with year one of the capacity to be funded through the approved transformation reserve of £3M and the flexible use of capital receipts.

(iv)   That political oversight be provided by the Members transformation steering group.

(v)    That the recommendations from the Joint Overview Committee, set out in section 6 of the report, be noted and the Dorset Council Transformation Plan 2025-29, be approved, as attached at Appendix B as the framework for supporting, governing and delivering change across the council.

Reason for the decision

The proposals outlined in the “Our Future Council Business Case and Transformation Plan” report to Cabinet of 28 January 2025 lay the groundwork for a comprehensive programme of transformation and improvement, enabling Dorset Council to achieve its priorities within a sustainable medium-term financial strategy. The ambition and commitment o improvement and delivery as part of “Our Future Council” initiative aligned with the Council Plan priorities and our new operating model section.