Budget reference number 

10CEX 

How will the saving be achieved? 

The savings will be achieved through a review of Technical Field Services including the following. 

• Reviewing existing workloads and responsibilities to confirm best practice and preferred operating model. 

• Identifying existing levels of support and ensuring consistency and proportionality.  

• Reviewing the existing structure to identify where tasks are no longer required or may be delivered more cost effectively – for example to a lower specification or reduced frequency. 

• Ensuring that the Technical Field Services operating structure and staffing establishment is fully aligned. 

• Strengthened contract management arrangements and rationalising outsourcing where the function can be provided in-house to the required specification. 

• Investigating opportunities to procure the most cost-effective supply and support contracts. 

• Renegotiation of contracts to ensure most advantageous rates. 

• Optimising existing resources through increased digital adoption and by reviewing and identifying where technology advances can replace current delivery methods with streamlined end to end processes resulting in improved efficiencies and reduced requirement for manual procedures.

If this policy is subject to the FSD what does it suggest about the impact or potential impact on socio-economic disadvantage? 

No impact.

Give details of the impact it has on groups and individuals.  

Age - The outcome of the review may impact on older employees who are closer to retiral age by causing them to consider their options. 

Children and families - Currently Technical Field Services operate in disparate areas. The review will consider all staff capability to support all IT sectors. 

Employees - Council employees involved in Technical Field Services review will be impacted.  

What actions / measures will be put in place or are planned to mitigate any adverse impact or promote equality?  

Children and families - The review will provide a more efficient and proportionate service aligned to demand although Technical Field Service staff will no longer be dedicated to supporting only educational establishments. Replacement with a flexible structure will allow the Council to target resources and provide support to Services in rationalising their existing IT estate to ensure optimum efficiency.  

Employees – There is potential reduction in staffing levels. Some employees identified as being in scope may be wary of change and reluctant to embrace any new working practices. To mitigate we will engage with employees at all stages and provide training and support in new processes prior to their introduction and during rollout. 1:1 support will be provided as required.  

What is the result/ recommendations of the EqIA? 

Recommendation is to introduce the policy from 1/4/2024 to 31/3/2026