Agenda and minutes

The Chairman informed the Board that, in addition to the report published with the agenda for this meeting, a   supplementary report and appendices containing information which was not available at that time, had subsequently been circulated. He was of the view that the additional papers should be considered as a matter of urgency as they contained relevant information which Members needed to have before them in order to consider this matter at this meeting.

(1)       The Board received a report which outlined the work to date on a programme to ensure that the Council continued to deliver successfully in the face of the most significant changes facing local government in the external financial and policy context. Also circulated prior to the meeting was a supplementary report and appendices which included the proposed new structure, a summary of responses from staff to the informal consultation, risk assessment, equality impact assessment  and current posts impacted.

(2)          Ms Kerswell gave a presentation on the proposed organisational framework, including the timeframe for the restructuring, she explained that it was intended that the new structure would be in place on 4 April 2010. 

(3)          Ms Beer set out the process for handling the structural change.  Once the County Council on 16 December 2010 had confirmed the proposal, letters would be sent to staff telling them whether they had been slotted into new posts in the structure.  Those who had not been slotted in would be priority candidates for the remaining posts.  There would also be the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy.  Assessment centres would be held for vacant posts followed by Member and, if appropriate, Stakeholder panels.  It was intended that appointments would be made by the end of January 2011.  There would then be a move towards full implementation of the structure. 

(4)          In response to questions from Members, Ms Kerswell stated that the challenging timescale was partly due to the importance of creating some certainty for staff.  People wanted to know what the future is going to look like, so that they could think about how they could play a part in it.  It was important to carry out this restructuring ahead of the budget process and she had attempted to build in capacity and flexibility.  She referred to a recent meeting with District Council Leaders and a proposal for Locality Boards which would bring services together. 

(5)          Ms Kerswell confirmed that responsibility for the 14 – 19 years unit was contained within the Education, Learning and Skills Directorate.  

(6)          Ms Kerswell acknowledged the loyalty and quality of staff and stated that it was important to be able to say that the organisation was fit for purpose.  She emphasised the importance of dealing sensitively with the impact of the reorganisation on individuals and stated that she was due to meet with the PA’s and staff officers to the senior managers  later that day.

(7)          Ms Beer explained that it was not possible to build in the cost of voluntary redundancy at this time as it was not known how many staff would take up this option. In relation to superannuation changes these would apply whether or not we were going through a restructure and would be taken to Personnel Committee in the normal way.

(8)          Ms Kerswell confirmed that she had delegated responsibility to produce this report and had brought it to Cabinet and the Scrutiny Board at an early stage. Ms Kerswell made it clear that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.