Issue - meetings

On 27 November 2012 the Cabinet approved the development of a strategic framework to achieve a strong “One Team” approach to innovation (“ideas into action to improve lives in Surrey”). This recognises that over the coming years the Council will need to continue to strengthen its capacity and capability to innovate in order to continue improving outcomes and value for money for Surrey’s residents.

Significant progress has been made to establish the strategic innovation framework and begin developing new ideas and approaches.  This progress was recognised by a small team of expert peers who visited the Council in February to assess progress and plans on innovation.  The peer team shared some helpful recommendations and this report describes how they will be incorporated into the continued work to strengthen the Council’s innovation capacity and capability.     

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]

1.   That the good progress made so far to strengthen innovation capacity and capability be acknowledged and the findings from the peer challenge be welcomed.

2.    The Chief Executive and Strategic Director for Change and Efficiency continue to work with colleagues to develop and implement the strategic framework for innovation, incorporating the recommendations from the peer challenge.

3.    The learning and evaluation from innovation work be reported back to Cabinet and Council via the Chief Executive’s six monthly progress reports, the next of which will be published in summer 2013.

Reasons for Decisions

To further refine and strengthen the Council’s approach to innovation so it can exploit new opportunities, navigate significant challenges and achieve improved outcomes and value for money for Surrey’s residents.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and scrutiny Committee]

The Leader of the Council introduced the report to Cabinet, stating that there were two aspects to the Council’s approach to innovation – the update on its Innovation Journey, since the previous Cabinet report on 27 November 2012, and the Models of Delivery. He said that he wanted to receive ideas from all staff on ways that the Council could be more innovative.

The Cabinet Member for Change and Efficiency referred to the Peer team and their initial feedback as set out in paragraph 27 of the report.

The Deputy Leader also referred to Surrey County Council being named as local authority of the year at the recent Improvement and Efficiency Awards and also being shortlisted for an award at the recent Local Government Chronicle Awards.

Cabinet Members acknowledged the importance of both reports concerning the Council’s Approach to Innovation, however, it was agreed that the authority must not become complacent and must continue to ‘raise its game’.

RESOLVED:

1.   That the good progress made so far to strengthen innovation capacity and capability be acknowledged and the findings from the peer challenge be welcomed.

2.    The Chief Executive and Strategic Director for Change and Efficiency continue to work with colleagues to develop and implement the strategic framework for innovation, incorporating the recommendations from the peer challenge.

3.    The learning and evaluation from innovation work be reported back to Cabinet and Council via the Chief Executive’s six monthly progress reports, the next of which will be published in summer 2013.

Reasons for Decisions

To further refine and strengthen the Council’s approach to innovation so it can exploit new opportunities, navigate significant challenges and achieve improved outcomes and value for money for Surrey’s residents.