Issue - meetings

Purpose: To commission the undertaking of a strategic programme of ‘whole-authority’ work called ‘Future Monmouthshire’. Future Monmouthshire aims to pose a set of questions about our core purpose, relationships with communities, citizens and stakeholders and our appetite for economic growth and local prosperity – as we move further forward into a changing public sector landscape. Future Monmouthshire will see the development of a new operating model for the Council in order to equip it to meet its goals amidst increasing change and uncertainty. The new operating model will have a clear purpose: to create the capacity and foresight to develop solutions to some of the county’s biggest challenges, ensuring that our Council understands the shifting needs and priorities of communities, positioning itself as an enabler in bringing them about

Author: Will McLean

Contact Details: willmclean@monmouthshire.gov.uk

In light of the significant pressures and challenges facing the Council – economic social, environmental and demographic - ‘business as usual’ - is not a sustainable or viable mode of operation. In-building a ‘fitness for the future’ approach, we resolved:

·         To support the development of a new framework ‘Future Monmouthshire’ to determine the future scope of Monmouthshire County Council as a public service body.

·         To commence internal research and development to gauge the minimum viable size for our council in the future, creating a blueprint for a new organisational cost structure.

·         To create a small team of officers, drawn from across the organisation, to develop further the operating model that will support future function.

·         To enter into an Academic Partnership with Cardiff University, in order to ensure the process is supported by rigorous research and best practice insights and provides a means of recording, testing and prototyping the progress made.

·         To build upon this partnership through creating a ‘Commission for Future

Monmouthshire’, including representatives of the University, business and community sectors, staff and members.

·         To establish a budget of up to £250,000 drawn from the Invest to Redesign and Priority Investment reserve subject to the 2015/16 outturn position to support the team, programme of work and specific activities necessary in delivering the financial and wider returns on investment required.