Decision details

          The Board considered a report of the Director of Transformation (Interim), that sought approval to establish and resource a dedicated Financial Recovery, Change and Innovation function for the Council from April 2026, following the conclusion of the current Transformation Programme and its associated funding on 31 March 2026. The proposal would ensure the Council had the capacity, capability and governance structures required to deliver the scale and pace of change necessary to achieve financial sustainability.

          The Board noted that a Financial Recovery Plan was currently being developed with the aim of demonstrating how the Council could return to a sustainable budget position by 2030/31. To support the Plan and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), it was proposed that a new Change and Innovation Unit (CIU) would be established from 1 April 2026. Given the tenure of the current contract arrangements and the rights accrued, appointments to the CIU would be on a permanent basis. Some flexible budget would also be retained to buy-in expertise on an as and when needed basis. It was noted that £2.5m had been included in the MTFS to fund a change programme for the period 2026/27 to 2028/29.

Reason for Decision

Agreement for funding to resource a Financial Recovery, Change and continuous Improvement function for the Council from April 2026 following the end of the Transformation Programme and its funding on 31 March 2026.

Alternative options considered and rejected

N/A

Implementation date

1 April 2026.

          RESOLVED: That the Board approves the establishment of a Change and Innovation Unit (CIU) to support the Financial Recovery and Corporate Plan from 1 April 2026.