Agenda item

(a)  Endorsed the consultation process for the revised structure for the IT Team noting the addition of a number of key posts.

(b)  Noted and approved the scope of the restructure which included the core IT Team (covering all the technology used across the Council and Children’s Company) and Digital Team (that focused on public facing digital services) and noted the proposal for the two teams to come together and be known as the ICT & Digital Team and work more closely together to improve public interactions with the Council.

(c)  Agreed that the Lead Member for Customer Services, Procurement & Performance be consulted should any substantial changes to the structure be required following the consultation.

The Lead Member for Customers Services, Procurement & Performance introduced a report that sought approval to consult upon and implement a restructure of the Information Technology team.

The Council’s external auditors, LGA specialist ICT peer support and various external reports had highlighted the need to significantly strengthen the capacity and skills of the team, ensure it was sustainable and could support the future success of the Council and children’s company.  The proposed restructure was an important part of the wider ICT improvement programme that had been previously approved by Cabinet.  It was noted that the restructure of the IT team had been put on hold during the whole Council ‘Our Futures’ restructure and it was now important to put a place an appropriate and sustainable structure to deliver the improvement programme.  The structure aimed to clarify the purpose and roles within the team and reduce reliance on interim staff to provide stability and development opportunities for staff.  The team would increase from 32 to 51 staff across four areas – customer, control, core and digital.  A Chief Digital & Information Officer would be appointed at Assistant Director level to lead the team and ensure high level engagement across the organisation.

The Cabinet discussed various aspects of the proposed restructure including the challenges of recruitment in the IT sector, which was a point that had been highlighted by Commissioners.  It was recognised that this was an issue for a range of the services such as social care and planning, and a Council wide plan to promote SBC and the career development opportunities it offered would be required.  Lead Members commented on the importance of staff retention and ensuring the programme was sufficiently robust to account for the fact that it was likely to take time to fully recruit to all the new posts in the new structure.

The Cabinet supported the recommendations in the report and also agreed a further resolution that the Lead Member be consulted should any significant changes to the structure arise following the consultation process.

Resolved –

(a)  That the consultation process for the revised structure for the IT Team noting the addition of a number of key posts be endorsed.

(b)  That the scope of the restructure which included the core IT Team (covering all the technology used across the Council and Children’s Company) and Digital Team (that focused on public facing digital services) be noted and approved, and that the proposal for the two teams to come together and be known as the ICT & Digital Team and work more closely together to improve public interactions with the Council be noted.

(c)  That it be agreed that the Lead Member for Customer Services, Procurement & Performance be consulted should any substantial changes to the structure be required following the consultation.