Agenda item

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, flagging that the senior management restructure was subject to the process outlined in para 2.4 of the report, and that Commissioners had the right to intervene if they sought fit. Commissioners had commented on the report that they supported efforts to improve overall management of the Authority, and would need to see further details before agreeing the formal proposals.

The current proposals were going through the formal consultation process, including on whether the current number of 6 Executive Directors could be reduced to 5, as there had been one voluntary redundancy request. The Monitoring Officer flagged up that this meant it was likely that a report would go to July Council concerning the terms of any ED voluntary redundancy as part of the transparency agenda.

In answer to a question on whether voluntary redundancy terms were fixed or negotiated, the Monitoring Officer clarified that these were in accordance with the terms and conditions of an employee’s contractual entitlement. One Member raised concern that in looking to save costs, it was important that the well-being of staff was also taken into account, for example in the re-distribution of workloads. The Monitoring Officer agreed and advised that this was why the consultation had been through a number of phases and informal consultations in addition to the formal process.

In answer to what cost-savings were envisaged by the restructure process, the Monitoring Officer anticipated it would be cost-neutral at worst, but also flagged that it was important to recognise the Authority’s position and the special needs it had at this stage as it underwent a recovery process. Further restructures could be needed in the future, and costs would need to be assessed continually.

Resolved – Members noted the contents of the Senior Management Restructure Update Report.