The Corporate Services Committee meeting scheduled for 8 January 2025 was set to discuss departmental budget estimates for the upcoming financial year, alongside updates on the People Strategy and the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programme. The committee was also scheduled to review health and safety matters and the council's forward plan.

Departmental Budget Estimates 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to consider the departmental revenue budgets for the 2025-26 financial year. The proposed budget for 2025-26 totals a net expenditure of £13.116m, representing an increase of £2.046m (18.48%) compared to the 2024-25 original budget. This increase is primarily attributed to a 2% inflation uplift (£0.255m), increased budgets for the Chief People Officer (£0.710m for the Graduate Scheme, £0.153m for the Volunteering Scheme, and £0.056m for the Occupational Health budget), the separation of the Chief Strategy Officer role from the Deputy Town Clerk with a budget increase of £1.068m and £0.401m for additional posts, and an increase of £0.310m to central risk for specialist legal advice for the Comptroller and City Solicitor. A decrease of £0.185m is noted due to funds moving from the Deputy Town Clerk to the Policy and Resources Committee and Communications. The report recommended that members note the latest revenue budget for 2024/25 and approve the proposed revenue budget for 2025/26 for submission to the Finance Committee.

People Strategy Bi-Annual Progress Report

The committee was to receive the first bi-annual progress report on the City of London Corporation's People Strategy 2024-2029, covering the period from April to September 2024. This strategy, launched in April 2024, aims to transform the organisation's culture, systems, and processes to achieve the outcomes of the Corporate Plan 2024-2029, Equality Objectives 2024-2029, and Health and Safety objectives. The report was to summarise activities undertaken, provide data updates on key measures, and preview planned activities for the next six months and into 2025/26. It also included an appendix detailing actions underway following the 2024 Staff Survey. The report was for information only.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Programme Update

An update was scheduled on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Programme, also known as Programme Sapphire, which aims to replace the City of London Corporation's ageing Finance, HR, Payroll, and Operational Procurement systems. The report was to detail advancements in the fourth quarter of 2024, including the completion of the procurement for the System Integrator Partner and recruitment for the programme team. The programme is planned to be delivered in three waves: Wave 1 (Learning Management, Performance and Goals & Recruitment) in Q1 2025, Wave 2 (Full HR and Payroll) in Q4 2025, and Wave 3 (Finance) in Q1 2026. The programme is currently in the Explore Phase, with over 200 fit to standard workshops scheduled. The report was for information only.

Health & Safety Update

The committee was to receive a regular update on health and safety matters. The report highlighted that 20 out of 25 recommendations from Quadriga's external review of health and safety arrangements have been closed, representing an 80% completion rate. A key milestone was the launch of the new Health & Safety Management framework on 9 December 2024, which included establishing minimum standards for health and safety advisers in complex areas, making IOSH-approved Managing Safely training mandatory for all managers, and introducing a new IT system, SafetyNet, for recording and monitoring risk assessments. The remaining 20% of recommendations, which are HR-linked or relate to contractor management and property management processes, are on track for delivery by April. The report was for information only.

Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to review its forward workplan, as presented by the Executive Director of Human Resources & Chief People Officer. This item provides an overview of upcoming topics and ensures the committee's work aligns with strategic priorities. The report was for information only.