Agenda item

Cabinet considered a report which set out three Options for the restructuring of the Council's senior management at director grade and above.

The Leader and Cabinet had indicated that one of their highest priorities was the restructuring of the Council's senior management and that they wished to see the changes introduced as speedily as possible. 

The three Options were:

·  Option 'A' - proposals developed by Cabinet and the Lead Member for Human Resources.

·  Option 'B' - proposals made by the Chief Executive in her capacity as Head of the Paid Service which she considered would deliver the principles underpinning Cabinet's aims but which addressed the risks which she considered were inherent in Option 'A'.

·  Option 'C' - involved a review of the Council's business and operating model as approved by Full Council in February 2016 in budget option 018.

A number of views and comments on the Options were made by several county councillors who were also present at the meeting.  Having received those representations, as well as officer advice, Cabinet then:

Resolved:

(i)  That the contents of the report now presented, including the officer advice in relation to each of the Options identified in the report and the representations made by members of the Council at the meeting, be noted.

(ii)  That Option 'A' including the proposed arrangements for the appointment of staff to a new senior management structure, as set out in the report, be approved for the purposes of consultation with the staff affected and that the outcome of the consultation be reported to Cabinet on 14 September 2017.

(iii)  That the decision at (ii) above be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order 35 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the County Council's responsibilities, and in particular to enable the Council's operating structure to be aligned with the administration's policy priorities and to deliver savings as a matter of urgency.