City council's £95,000 bill for consultants
THE city council is to pay a firm of consultants a further £95,000 in an attempt to improve the authority's performance.
The company, which is called Invigor8, has already been paid £116,576.73 by the city council.
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The council has already paid £116, 576 to the firm
Coun Hassan Ahmed, who has political responsibility for HR at the city council, approved the latest expenditure.
The documents that authorised payment claim the purpose of the latest work is to "support business transformation activities to underpin the long-term vision for Nottingham".
Ben Browne, director of human resources, said: "We want to improve our frontline services to local people and to do that we have to change the way the organisation goes about its business. Invigor8 are playing a key role in this process and in ensuring that our managers and other colleagues fully understand our priorities and how they contribute to meeting them."
Invigor8 was initially commissioned by the council after a number of reports from its own consultants and the Audit Commission raised concerns about the performance of staff and councillors at the authority during the past three years and the way they work together.
Invigor8's initial findings confirmed some of the conclusions arrived at by other consultants, including lack of clarity about purpose and a need for stronger leadership.
The company also found "a healthy desire amongst many leaders to want to recognise any issues and difficulties that exist – and deal with them".
In a statement, the city council said: "Invigor8 will help the council to build on the steps it has already taken by supporting the education and development of its leaders and colleagues in making the required changes. The short-term investment with Invigor8 will provide the basis for long-lasting change across the council."
It will involve creation of a new performance and development review process, and the training of 1,200 staff to help them understand the "city's priorities, and in understanding and developing the skills and behaviours required of all council colleagues in achieving these priorities".
Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Sutton said: "I welcome the fact they are trying to address these issues but its a pity it is taking so long and it is proving to be an expensive business."
Coun Sutton added: "Despite the expenditure on Invigor8 we have yet to see any findings from their work or any reports or assessment of the performance of the city council."
charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
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by Have A Go Hero, Nottingham
Thursday, October 01 2009, 9:41PM
“Well why not waste money after all its only our hard earned wages that pay for the Council to squander it in the end.
All of you that voted Labour in the last local elections are to blame for this Council spending money like its a game of Monopoly.
Just remember this story when the next Elections are, that's all”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Thursday, October 01 2009, 4:54PM
“Obviously the City Council don't want to be outdone by Mrs Cutts, £210+K to one firm of consultants will be a hard target for her to beat. I await the comments of MadBadger and Mr Sensible with great interest. I am sure they could have re-indoctrinated the 1,200 staff for far less.”
by FRUUSTRAAAATED!!, Nottm. City
Thursday, October 01 2009, 2:08PM
“Andy, Long Bennington
Andy, you took the words right out of my mouth! What do they say¿¿Why have a dog, and bark yourself?
The top 6 Directors, most of whom must be on salaries of in excess of £100,000-00. I note that one director is currently ¿ACTING¿¿¿¿¿¿..¿..Director that is.
In addition to those¿¿¿¿..¿Directors¿¿¿¿¿there are SEVERAL¿ other ¿directors¿ [small ¿d¿] with RESPONSIBILITIES¿¿would you not have thought that between the ALL these directors, that they would, SHOULD know what to do?.................Unreasonable thought? Baaaah!
Given that we DO have a ¿leader¿ problem, or should that be, a ¿problem¿ leader¿¿¿¿..see NEP comment¿¿ Take note¿¿..>>>>> It will involve creation of a new performance and development review process, and the TRAINING OF 1,200 staff¿¿¿¿¿.. to help them understand¿¿.Could it just be¿¿¿.how Jon Collins WILL HAVE things done!
I don¿t think so!
Hang on, if you or I wanted to improve our education/performance whatever, you¿d be signposted to the local college, ¿¿¿¿¿.at our OWN expense, NOT at PUBLIC expense!!!!!!!
Another saying goes like this¿¿¿¿¿.If you can¿t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!! Go now Noooo Labour¿¿¿¿GET OUT RIGHT now Collins!
MORE WASTE¿¿ MORE WASTE¿¿ MORE WASTE¿¿ of PUBLIC MONEY!!”
by Andy, Long Bennington
Thursday, October 01 2009, 12:11PM
“I like the site Andy!
"the gift that keeps on giving."... no tendering of the contract at all?... they didn't announce that one to the press did they? Not that anyone is suggesting underhand back pockets payments and corruption... I'm sure its all above board, like everything this council does.
Funny how a council with apparent fully qualified and experienced managers and directors require training tell them how to do their jobs? Why don't the just put Invigor8 in charge of the council?!”
by stating the obvious, planet relity
Thursday, October 01 2009, 11:49AM
“So the Council are paying "consultants" to tell them how they should be doing their job ? If I were a consltant I would avise them to waste more money on consultants !! maybe thats whats happened”