To receive Report No. 108/2016 from the Director of Resources.

Report No. 108/2016 from the Director of Resources was received the purpose of which was to provide the Resources Scrutiny Panel with an update on the current shared service arrangement with Peterborough Legal Services. The report would also provide information regarding possible alternatives to the existing arrangement with Peterborough City Council.

The Chairman, Mr Walters invited the Director for Resources, Mrs Mogg to introduce the report.

During the discussion the following points were noted:

i.              There were concerns in regards to the delays in legal advice supplied from Peterborough Legal to Oakham Enterprise Park and it was felt that there was a lack of support. Mr  King explained that there were difficulties but that this was due to certain clients being of a specialist nature, in particular units 4 and 7;

ii.            The panel enquired as to whether and Rutland County Council staff had been invited to attend any training at Peterborough Legal. Mrs Mogg informed the panel that the Governance team had attended training on routine updates such as the constitution and found this very useful. Mrs Baker would provide the panel with a training schedule of the last year;

iii.           The panel asked why staff had not been upskilled as this had been previously mentioned. Mrs Mogg explained that this was due to staff turnover and that this would be done;

iv.           The panel asked which directorate within the Council had spent the most money using Peterborough Legal. Mrs Mogg stated that this was the People Directorate. Mr Morley informed the panel that this was due to more specialist cases being undertaken within the People Directorate although this had resulted in the upskilling of the senior members of his team. Mr Morley stated that he had more confidence in his staff;

v.            Some services require legal advice ultimately. It would be about recognising the areas in which staff could be upskilled;

vi.           Mrs Mogg informed the panel that one option would be to have an in house member of staff who would provide the Council with legal advice. This could be a secondment from Peterborough Legal either for 6 or 12 months. This could benefit the Council as there would be a member of staff on hand for more urgent queries but also to provide advice rather than contacting Peterborough Legal. Mrs Mogg explained to the panel that the budget would be reduced to incorporate the in house member of staff;

vii.          Mr Miles from Peterborough Legal explained that it would be Rutland County Council’s decision as to what level of experience and knowledge the in house member of staff would need and have;

viii.        Mr King stated that speed was the reason for looking at an in house member of staff. Oakham Enterprise Park would be a prime example of the need for speed as the turnaround for legal advice was slow;

ix.           Mr Della Rocca informed the panel that he himself felt he had been upskilled in areas of legal. Mr Della Rocca did not need to ask as many questions but when required to would ask more pointed questions so a quicker response was received;

x.            The members congratulated Peterborough Legal Services for their good service and savings that had been made;

xi.           The panel had concerns in regards to the budget as there had been no significant reduction in the budget over the past few years. Mrs Mogg stated that this was due to one off legal costs.

AGREED:

i.              The panel noted the contents of Report 108/2016.