Issue - meetings

Restructure of Services

Meeting: 06/10/2009 - Cabinet (Item 66)

(Councillors with Special Responsibility Councillors Archer, Ashworth, Blamire and Bryning)

Report of Corporate Director (Regeneration).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Archer, Ashworth, Blamire and Bryning)

The Corporate Director (Regeneration) submitted a report seeking Member approval to the reorganisation of Corporate Strategy, Cultural, Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Customer Services to effectively and efficiently implement the City Council’s priorities set out in the Corporate Plan and the Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership Community Strategy in line with the revenue budgets estimated to be available to the Council over the next three years.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1

Members approve the restructuring proposals identified in Appendix B and C.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risk

A clear strategic direction is given to all staff regarding the future of services.

The financial budget savings are achieved within the timescales identified.

Strong structures are in place to develop further ideas around shared services and efficiency savings.

Uncertainty to staff may cause initial disruption to council services in areas where savings are clearly identified.

Services disrupted whilst structures implemented.

Reduced level of structures may have negative impact on Council image.

Termination costs and therefore net savings are uncertain at this stage.

Funds remaining in reserves to support further restructures are also uncertain.

Option 2

Members do not approve structures and continue with existing services.

Advantages	Disadvantages	Risk
Service provision continues at existing level.	Council does not meet its financial commitments.	Intervention?

The officer preferred option is Option 1.

It was moved by Councillor Archer and seconded by Councillor Ashworth:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

By way of amendment, Councillor Mace proposed and Councillor Bryning seconded:

“That Cabinet approve the restructuring of services as set out on page 11 of the report.”

2 Members (Councillors Bryning and Mace) voted in favour of the amendment and 8 Members (Councillors Archer, Ashworth, Barry, Blamire, Fletcher, Kerr, Langhorn and Thomas) voted against.

Councillor Mace then proposed an addendum to Recommendation 2, seconded by Councillor Thomas and accepted as a friendly addendum by the mover and seconder of the original proposition, as follows:-

“and to the North West Employers Organisation for its input as part of proposals for top management restructuring.”

Members then voted as follows:-

Resolved:

(9 Members (Councillors Archer, Ashworth, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Fletcher, Kerr, Langhorn and Thomas) voted in favour and 1 Member (Councillor Mace) voted against.)

(1) That Cabinet approve the restructuring of four Services to two Services; Community Engagement and Regeneration and Policy.

Resolved unanimously:

(2) That the proposed structures for the Community Engagement Service and Regeneration and Policy Service be referred to Personnel Committee for approval and to the North West Employers Organisation for its input as part of proposals for top management restructuring.

Resolved:

(9 Members (Councillors Archer, Ashworth, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Fletcher, Kerr, Langhorn and Thomas) voted in favour and 1 Member (Councillor Mace) abstained.)

(3) That Cabinet approve the funding principles for termination costs as outlined in the financial implications, and that ... view the full minutes text for item 66