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EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT FUND
LEAD BIDDER - SOUTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL
Housing & technical resources cross sector asset management/multi agency Q&A
Stage 1 application - expression of interest
Part 1: Summary Table
Bid Number (for EG Use) | EGF/1/3/078 |
Lead Bidder | South Lanarkshire Council Contact: John Gordon
Tele: 01355 806613
e-mail: john.gordon@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |
Brief description of the aims of the project | - To develop the optimum model for a Multi Agency First Stop Shop, including back office support, which would be transferable to all Local Authority areas.
- To improve public access to services across all public and voluntary sector agencies.
- To reduce property and staff cost
- To improve the efficiency of service delivery through greater cooperation and access to information.
- Deliver savings in cost and time which can be redirected.
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Clear description of what the EGF money would be used to buy | - To establish a consultancy led project group with a remit to determine the most effective model for a cross agency First Stop Shop.
- To establish, monitor and report on a Pilot Model(s) to be established in the first year of the consultancy.
- Staff Time
£60, 000 £60, 000 £250, 000 £200, 000 (To provide reception and interview facility) £25, 000 £250,000 |
Partners to the project likely to commit resources | - NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Glasgow
- Strathclyde Police
- Strathclyde Fire
- Careers Scotland
| - Job Centre +
- Housing Associations
- Council for Voluntary Service
- South Lanarkshire Council
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Names of other organisations with whom the project has been discussed (to assist the introductions process) | The agencies listed above have given support to the principals of the proposals within this bid. The NHS has been consulted at various levels and there is support for this project. Within Job Centre+ and Careers Scotland the approach is welcomed as a potential positive contribution to their property strategies. Strathclyde Fire has also welcomed the initiative to provide an outlet to Community Safety. Strathclyde Police, while having limited potential at present, see the location as a suitable outlet for Crime Prevention information. The proposal is considered likely to attract the interest of a number of other public and voluntary agencies and this will be explored as part of the pilot stage. |
Evidence that suggested approach has been deployed successfully elsewhere | The model for cross cutting multi-agency has been developing over a period of time. Confirmation of this development is evident in recent projects, listed below, which have been sponsored by South Lanarkshire Council. This bid would provide a model which if successful would determine the model to be implemented for the East Kilbride Civic Centre replacement. - Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre (opening June 2005)
NHS Lanarkshire Police South Lanarkshire Council - Cambuslang Town Centre Regeneration (opening January 2006)
NHS Glasgow Job Centre Plus South Lanarkshire Council - East Kilbride Civic Centre Replacement (anticipated 2009/10)
NHS Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Council (partners to date) |
Are there any restrictions to potential for enlargement of the project (i.e. technology, number of partners etc) | None identified. The model is likely to be initially applicable to major town centres but would be transferable to neighbourhood centres as evidenced at Whitehill. |
Benefits projected from the project | The initial benefit should be in the access and delivery of services particularly where the solution to customer issues rests with a number of agencies. Specific anticipated benefits include - Single access point to a number of agencies within a town centre location.
- Reduction in time in dealing with customer issues.
- Reduction in duplication leading to savings in staff time and property costs.
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Estimated Financial projections (Please treat these figures as indicative only) | Total | 2005 / 6 | 2006 / 7 | 2007 / 8 | 2008 / 9 |
Overall project cost | £845,000 | £720,000 | £125,000 | - | - |
| Total | 2007 / 8 | 2008 / 9 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
Estimated projected benefits | £2,120,000 | £500,000 | £540,000 | £540,000 | £540,000 |
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Is a pilot required - see guidance notes | Yes. It is proposed a pilot should take place to demonstrate the benefits and to allow the effectiveness to be monitored and reported. This would also allow the optimum model to be developed and proven before being implemented elsewhere. |
Additionally: why is EG funding required | Funding is required to develop and prove the model in parallel to current service models and to offset additional costs in the short-term. There are also likely to be staff training and IT development required |
Is this project complementary in any way to other EG work | This project is a good example of like minded organisations seeking to improve efficiency and effectiveness in broad areas of service delivery, through increased partnership approaches. In addition, it reflects one of the priority areas for the Efficient Government initiative, namely support service reform. This project will undoubtedly stimulate significant changes in delivery of this important function. |
Is 'stage 2 development funding' requested | Yes. The aim is to develop the optimum model for a Multi Agency First Stop Shop, including back office support, which would be transferable to all Authority areas. This will be achieved through a consultancy led project Group and the sum of £50,000 is requested to cover the initial consultancy including the drafting of the Business Case for Stage 2 Funding. (Note: Amount of £50k is included in estimated project cost of £845k.) |
Part 2: Narrative Bid
Purpose of This Bid
The purpose of this bid is to establish a feasibility study investigating the potential for a partnership approach, improving access to services and providing additional efficiency across a wide range of public sector activities. The bid will provide a model which will drive improved services and will enhance asset management.
The initial scope of the proposal is to explore existing and potential partnership arrangements in public and voluntary sector working and to develop an optimum model, aligning services which are accessed by the public, and providing these services in a convenient location.
Method of Development
The proposals within this bid would include an initial stage of consulting with potential partners and developing a brief for an approved consultancy team to determine the synergies and benefits from partnership working. The role of the consultancy would be to determine the synergies and also include the scale of presence each partner would require within the optimum model.
The agreed model would then be tested within a pilot(s) and the results monitored over a suitable period and reported. This would be considered as the first step in an incremental process to identify opportunities for joint working.
Benefits Associated With This Bid
The benefits of the proposal can be summarised as:
- Encouraging partnership working to improve Services
- Implementing the new model quickly.
- Improving service while reducing costs
Encouraging partnership working
Current partnerships arrangements have in many instances been restricted to new projects where the potential to accommodate all parties requirements can be realised. The proposals contained within this bid will allow detailed consultation to be undertaken with potential partners without commitment and the optimum model developed. This would then be implemented within one or more pilots depending on available funding while the participants could be supported for the additional costs during the pilot period.
This would allow the ideal model to be proven without the normal barriers to progress and when proven to be rolled out to other locations on a self funding basis.
Implementing the new model quickly
South Lanarkshire Council currently has a network of First Stop shops known as Q&A centres. These are all located in or immediately adjacent to the main town centres within the council areas. The model includes a main reception and waiting area with adjacent interview and meeting facilities and key frontline services located within the office accommodation. This allows customer to access services in a convenient location and have problems resolved in a convenient manner.
This proposal seeks to develop that model to include other public sector partners to share the Q&A facility as the point of access for services with back office staff being either located within the premises or at other locations. The existence of the premises gives the opportunity to develop the model and implement pilot schemes quickly. In addition, the potential benefits of similar model in a district centre location should be considered. Initial indications are that there is likely to be strong support to develop this model.
Current proposals are being considered with other public sector partners for the replacement of the East Kilbride Civic Centre and this bid provides an opportunity to allow a proven multi agency model to be implemented at this location.
Improving service while reducing costs
Improvements to service would be gained by the availability of a number of public services within one town centre location. There would also be additional benefits from partnership working within one building which would reduce staff time and improve the services provided.
It is estimated that cost savings would be realised over the period through the reduction in duplication of reception staff and associated property costs. This is difficult to quantify until the extent of involvement from different partners is known, however the stated savings of £500,000 per annum rising to £540,000 per annum across all partners is considered achievable and conservative.