Agenda reports pack
Argyll and Bute Council · 3 June 2025
Back to Single Authority Model Short Life Working Group — 3 June 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll and Bute Council Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal Agus Bhòid Executive Director: Douglas Hendry Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 605522 DX 599700 LOCHGILPHEAD 27 May 2025 NOTICE OF MEETING A meeting of the SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL SHORT LIFE WORKING GROUP will be held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 3 JUNE 2025 at 2:00 PM, which you are requested to attend. Douglas Hendry Executive Director BUSINESS 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (IF ANY) 3. MINUTES (Pages 3 - 4) Single Authority Model Short Life Working Group held on 16 May 2025 4. SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL SHORT LIFE WORKING GROUP - UPDATE (Pages 5 - 6) Report by Executive Director 5. DRAFT COMMUNICATIONS (Pages 7 - 10) Update by Communications Manager Single Authority Model Short Life Working Group Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle Councillor Jim Lynch (Chair) Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Ross Moreland (Vice-Chair) Contact: Hazel MacInnes, Senior Committee Officer Tel: 01546 604269 Public Document Pack
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MINUTES of MEETING of SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL SHORT LIFE WORKING GROUP held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on FRIDAY, 16 MAY 2025 Present: Councillor Jim Lynch (Chair) Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Gary Mulvaney Attending: Pippa Milne, Chief Executive Douglas Hendry, Executive Director David Logan, Head of Legal and Regulatory Support Stuart McLean, Committee Manager Graeme McMillan, Transformation Programme Manager Laura Blackwood, Directorate Support Officer 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Yvonne McNeilly and Ross Moreland. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL SLWG - TERMS OF REFERENCE The Short Life Working Group gave consideration to a report detailing the Terms of Reference of the Short Life Working Group as agreed by the Council at the meeting held on 24 April 2025. Decision The Short Life Working Group – 1. noted the detail of the Terms of Reference as set out at section 3.1 of the submitted report; and 2. noted that early engagement with NHS Highland was imperative and agreed that appropriate NHS Highland Non-executive Board Members and officers be invited to attend the next meeting. (Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 1 May 2025, submitted) 4. A SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL FOR ARGYLL AND BUTE - OVERVIEW OF KEY PRINCIPLES AND MODELS The Short Life Working Group gave consideration to a paper outlining the work undertaken thus far by Argyll and Bute Council to explore the possibility of a Single Authority Model for the area. Decision The Short Life Working Group – Page 3 Agenda Item 3
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1. noted the content of the paper; 2. agreed that no Single Authority Model option would be dismissed prior to engagement with relevant partners; and 3. agreed that options 3 and 5, outlined within the submitted report, be identified as options for further exploration when engaging with partners. (Reference: A Single Authority Model for Argyll and Bute – Overview of Key Principles and Models dated 25 March 2025, submitted) 5. SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL - UPDATE TO 24 APRIL COUNCIL The Short Life Working Group gave consideration to a report that had been presented to the Council at their meeting held on 24 April 2025 providing an overview of the activity that had taken place to date in relation to the development of alternative governance arrangements such as a Single Authority Model for Argyll and Bute. Decision The Short Life Working Group noted the content of the submitted report. (Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 25 March 2025, submitted) 6. ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS - KEY PRINCIPLES / CRITERIA The Short Life Working Group gave consideration to a report proposing a set of guiding principles / criteria, based on the anticipated outcomes and benefits of a single authority model, which could be used to assess the main five single authority model options identified so far for Argyll and Bute. Decision The Short Life Working Group – 1. agreed, subject to inclusion of better strategic outcomes and benefits for people and communities, the proposed assessment criteria detailed at section 3.2 of the submitted report as a basis on which to evaluate the options identified to date; and 2. agreed that officers prepare a report for the next meeting of the Short Life Working Group, detailing the outcome of the appraisal exercise, including a proposed recommendation for Council to consider at their meeting on 26 June 2025. (Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 1 May 2025, submitted) Page 4
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL SLWG CHIEF EXECUTIVE 3RD JUNE 2025 SAM SLWG - UPDATE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The initial SAM SLWG was held on 16th May 2025. This report provides an update on progress made during the interim period, including further engagement with NHS and HSCP colleagues. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the SLWG note and consider the content of this report. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 Following the SAM SLWG held on 16th May, Officers met with colleagues from the HSCP and NHS Highland to continue our collaborative approach to this work and to update on the discussions/decisions taken at the SLWG. This included agreement to extend an invitation to appropriate NHS Highland non- executive Board members to the next meeting of the SLWG. This has been actioned, but due to the tight timescales/other commitments it has not been possible to secure attendance for this meeting. 3.2 One of the key next steps is for local partners to come to an agreed position on a preferred model for Argyll and Bute at this point in time, which can be further developed and form the basis of any consultation exercise undertaken. In order to facilitate a multi-agency approach, it has been agreed that an Officer led steering/working group will also be established to drive forward this piece of work and report to the SLWG. The core membership of this group is detailed below, and will be supplemented by others from across partners as appropriate:- Douglas Hendry - Executive Director (ABC) David Logan – Head of Legal and Regulatory Support (ABC) Graeme McMillan – Transformation Programme Manager (ABC) Laura Blackwood – Directorate Support Officer (ABC) Evan Beswick – Chief Officer (HSCP) Gareth Adkins – Director of People and Culture (NHS Highland) Page 5 Agenda Item 4
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3.3 All local partners are committed to identifying a joint preferred model for further exploration as expeditiously as possible, however it is apparent that the current timescales within the national workplan are challenging (June to identify a model / consultation beginning in August). As reported to the SLWG in May, it was originally envisaged that a report could be tabled at the full Council on 26th June, and to Highland Health Board on 29th July, to obtain approval on a joint preferred model. However, this is becoming increasingly unachievable due to the outstanding work required to assess the current five options on the table collaboratively, and in the absence of supporting information to facilitate this exercise, such as the reform parameters documentation being prepared by the Scottish Government (SG). The next joint Ministerial meeting is scheduled for 5th June and we have had an indication from the SG that further advice on the parameters will be forthcoming at this forum. 3.4 From an engagement perspective, initial communications materials have been drafted (included as part of the agenda for today's meeting) and shared with local partners, with a view to being issued internally to staff groups in the first instance. However, beginning a wider community consultation from August, as per the current timeline, is considered ambitious at this stage. Timescales for engagement/consultation will become clearer once there is a jointly agreed position on a preferred option. 3.5 The SG have asked for an update in advance of the Ministerial meeting on 5th June on the local work being undertaken, including proposed local milestones, and this has been provided in line with the terms of this report. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 Members of the SLWG are asked to note the content of this update report. Douglas Hendry Executive Director 27th May 2025 Page 6
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Public sector services in Argyll and Bute We have different roles but have the same aim – to support Argyll and Bute and its communities. Supporting the area means constantly looking for new and different ways to provide public services because Argyll and Bute faces a combination of challenges most others do not – our geography can make it more difficult and expensive to deliver services; Argyll and Bute’s public purse faces demands other areas’ do not; and our population is ageing and has been in decline. Individually, public sector organisations in Argyll and Bute work to deal with their own particular challenges. And we also work together in different ways to benefit the area. However, times are tough for public services. And that shows no signs of changing. To support our communities, we have to consider all opportunities. So, we are exploring options through national public sector reform – including a Single Authority Model for Argyll and Bute. You can find information here about a single authority model and we will provide monthly updates This is all about considering – if we do more together can we do more for our communities? Pippa Milne Fiona Davies Chief Executive Chief Executive Argyll and Bute Council NHS Highland Page 7 Agenda Item 5
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Questions and answers Q: What is a single authority model (SAM)? A: A SAM brings public sector organisations in an area, particularly councils and NHS services, together in what they do, how they work and the decisions they make. The aim would be to improve services or at least make it more possible to keep services for communities going into the future, in the face of significant challenges. For example by: - Sharing priorities for Argyll and Bute, avoiding duplication, and delivering solutions that are specific to the local area’s needs. Q: What are the challenges that Argyll and Bute faces? A: Our island, remote and rural geography makes Argyll and Bute a great place to live and work in many ways. However it also brings challenges in what the area needs from its public services. Services can cost more to deliver for example in getting materials or employees to islands. The public purse has to fund services not needed in some other areas, such as air and sea transport. And an area’s population can have an effect on national funding in terms of numbers, on demand on public services in relation to the needs of the population, and on recruiting the skills and people we need to deliver those services. Q: Why consider a SAM? A: We have to be realistic about how extremely difficult it is going to be to keep delivering public services, from roads or social care, transport to dental, or housing to refuse collection. Individual public sector organisations – council, NHS etc – deal with the challenges that face them day-to-day, year-to-year and longer term. But looking to the future of Argyll and Bute – we have to consider all opportunities to make things better for our communities. National public sector reform includes SAMs as an option. So we are exploring that, based on the key question – would this improve public services going forward for our communities? Q: How would a SAM work in practice? A: There are different arrangements possible for what working closer together could mean in practice. Options range from lighter touch combinations with organisations remaining separate but pooling budgets and resources; to separate organisations coming together as a new legal body with fully integrated budgets Q: Who is involved in considering a SAM for Argyll and Bute? A: At the moment discussions are happening primarily among the Scottish Government, the council, and NHS Highland. As a SAM would most affect the employees of the organisations involved in it, engagement with those employees is expected to be part of the process of developing these discussions. Page 8
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Q: What’s the next step? A: The first step would be to identify the type of SAM that would be best for Argyll and Bute if one goes ahead. This is expected by March 2026. As mentioned above, there are varied options for a SAM, and the extent to which organisations would come together, so a lot remains to be considered about what would work for Argyll and Bute. Page 9
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