Agenda item

Report of the Chief People Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer in respect of the use of Interims (Consultants).

A Member asked a question about the terminology used in respect of ‘individuals bought in to do work for us’ and how they provide value for money.   Members noted that this matter would also be considered at the Corporate Services Committee the following day.   The Member asked what the City Corporation had learnt from such individuals, whether it would have been possible to do the work in house and suggested that the Finance Committee could undertake a review and lead by example in this area.

The Chamberlain referred to the Terms of Reference relevant to the Finance Committee and advised that it would be more appropriate for the relevant Chief Officers and Service Committees to seek this level of probity, noting that decisions below £100k are delegated to Chief Officers.  However, any considerations in terms of achieving value for money should reasonably be scrutinised by the Finance Committee.   

Members noted the various reasons as to why the City Corporation might employ consultants such as  obtaining short term expertise, when it may not make sense  for the City Corporation to employ or train an existing officer(s).  This also assumed that the Member was referring to management consultants rather than investment advisors, valuers, and legal services firms, for example.

Members noted that the use of consultants is permitted within agreed staffing budgets but if there are no permanent staff members with the relevant skills set, then the value for money consideration would outweigh the economics.  The Chamberlain also referred to the City Corporation’s key risk areas and work underway in respect of the use of project management consultants on larger City Corporation Projects. 

In concluding, the Chairman suggested that, whilst this matter warrants a further review in terms of value for money, it should not cut across the work of the Corporate Services Committee.  The Chairman therefore suggested that a follow up be placed on the forward plan for a further report in October 2023.

RESOLVED, that – the controls being put in place regarding Interim Manager appointments from 1st May 2023 be noted and the Finance Committee receive a further report in terms of value for money in the use of management consultants in October 2023.