And, Steve Mackenzie – chief executive of Purbeck district council – will take “overall responsibility” to ensure the plan is delivered following the suspension of director Steve Burdis (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Partnership’s joint committee met on Wendesday (March 11) to discuss the findings of three reviews into the activities of DWP, which all recommended urgent improvements to governance and financial management (see letsrecycle.com story).
Councillors agreed on a plan that brings together the findings of an internal audit by the South West Audit Partnership, an efficiency review by Local Partnerships (co-owned by the Treasury and Local Government Association), and a strategic review by consultants White Young Green.
Mike Harries, chair of the DWP management board and Dorset county council’s director for environment and economy, reported that the DWP had met most of its key aims, including increasing the rate of recycling, reducing landfill waste and improving customer satisfaction.
However, Mr Harris added that it “must not be a case of delivering the service at any cost”.
He went on to confirm the reviews had raised significant concerns around the efficiency and effectiveness of the partnership, which the councils wanted to see urgently addressed.
Unlawful
The committee also heard from the county council’s monitoring officer, Jonathan Mair, that the Partnership awarded contracts for vehicle hire and consultancy without a lawful tendering process.
Details of vehicle insurance were also not sent to the national database, as required by the law. He assured that urgent action has been taken to ensure the unlawful activity has ceased.
The 37 actions set out in the plan include:
- Earlier warning to councils of financial risks that may result in overspends
- Monthly meetings of partners to review progress on the action plan
- Better monitoring and reporting of vehicle hire
- Clearer allocation of budget responsibility to key staff
- More training for budget holders to better manage and monitor budgets
- Increased HR support to reduce staff absence
- Improved risk management and business planning
Mr Mackenzie, who has provided temporary leadership at the Partnership since the reviews were set-up, will now be tasked with ensuring the plan is delivered.
Additional management support will be provided by consultants WYG for ‘up to six months’, indicating that a prompt turnaround is expected.
Councillor Tony Alford, chair of the DWP joint committee, said: “I welcome the findings of the reviews and the action plan, which councillors will closely monitor to make sure the situation is turned around quickly.
“Partner councils are clear that the failings highlighted by the reviews are unacceptable. Together, we are committed to putting this right and providing an efficient, business-like waste and recycling service to our residents.”
Tranche Five
The committee also discussed how it would proceed with rolling out of tranche five – the final phase of the Partnership, which is due to commence on July 13 2015.
Councillors seemed confident that bin manufacturer and supplier Craemer had ‘recognised’ the damage caused by bin delivery delays in Weymouth and Portland and, “do not wish to be in a position of incurring compensation costs and reputational damage for our final trance”.
Meanwhile, all the necessary vehicles to deliver and operate Tranche five were ordered in early January 2015. This consists of two 26-tonne 70/30 split recycling vehicles, four 7.5-tonne food collection vehicles and one 15-tonne restricted access recycling vehicle.
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