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.