Summary overview - key messages
As outlined on the summary of approach webpage, since the CPC was undertaken in October 2022, the council has experienced significant changes to both the senior officer and political leadership.
These changes are outlined in more detail below (within the governance, behaviours and culture theme). They have, without doubt, presented a risk and challenge to the pace of progress and improvement at Southend-on-Sea City Council. But despite these changes, it is clear to the peer team that progress is being made and the direction of travel is positive.
The Interim CEX and political leadership have worked hard to bring greater stability to the council's senior officer team and continue to implement the CPC's recommendations. This includes lots of work to build a more engaging leadership style through stronger communication and engagement approaches, alongside greater cross-party working.
Out of the CPC's nine recommendations, the council's RAG rated action plan shows six are rated as green and three are rated as amber and none are rated as ‘red’.
Peers met with a range of stakeholders, and whilst there are mixed views about the degree of impact the changes may have had on organisational culture and behaviours to date (a key theme within the original CPC) all agree that progress is being made, ways of working are improving and the direction of travel is positive.
This follows a reset in Summer 2023 after the departure of the chief executive and monitoring officer. An essentially new CLT – including interim Chief Executive and Interim Monitoring Officer - were appointed. Peers were also pleased to see that there is a strong recognition, amongst all those who they spoke with, that there is still more work to do and a clear commitment to continue with this.
Since the original CPC in October 2022, the council's financial position has become more challenging in the context of continued wider economic pressures and rising demand. The council's senior political and officer leadership are fully aware of these challenges and were clear with peers that ensuring deliverable savings and the future financial sustainability of the council is their key priority and area of focus. A period six monitoring report (to end of September 2023) showed the projected funding gap is now £15.2m for 2024/2025 that increases to a further £27.1 from 2025/2026 if not mitigated.
A strong and consistent message arising from this progress review is the need to maintain focus on the delivery of the required savings and medium-term financial resilience. To support this work, it is the view of peers that there is an opportunity to review the council's approach to managing demand in people's services (further details outlined below) as this is where the majority of the budget pressures arise, a point recognised by the interim CEO. It will also be important to ensure that resources are in place to support the delivery of the council's transformation ambitions. Peers also spoke with a number of strategic partners who remain ready and willing to engage further with the council on their future plans (as outlined in the position statement) to restimulate strategic partnership working and reset the vision and plan for the city.
The council has now confirmed the appointment of a permanent chief executive, Colin Ansell, who will begin his new role in February 2024. He will be the third chief executive appointment made at the council in just over a year (including the interim chief executive), so his appointment presents a key turning point for the council.
Another clear and consistent message arising from this progress review is the need to ensure a smooth transition to the new Chief Executive. It will be essential that he is supported to continue with the positive direction of travel the council has made to date and, together with the senior political and officer leadership, ensure plans are in place to ensure the future financial sustainability of the council.
This report will now consider each of the recommendations arising from the CPC in more detail and grouped under the following thematic headings: