Issue - meetings

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to advise Members of actions taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member with regard to capacity issues as a consequence of the current senior management vacancies.

The report was for noting.

Resolved unanimously:

Option 1 was approved.

Retain the position as determined at Cabinet in August 2015 as Susan Parsonage, the incoming Chief Executive, will be in place in two months’ time, before making any permanent changes. However at the same time address any shortfall in the interim arrangements, namely there is a pressing need for an interim Legal Services Manager to manage the Legal Services Team and report into Preston City Council’s Head of Legal and Democratic Services. Should this option be pursued, the interim Manager would also be required to act as the Council’s Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO), taking on responsibility for information governance, which substantively is part of the Chief Officer (Governance)’s role. Overall, interim arrangements can be less robust than permanent arrangements.  However, option 1, is not considered to be a high risk option given its temporary nature and with the additional measures being taken to increase capacity.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision fulfils the requirements of the City Council’s Constitution in advising Cabinet of urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the City Council’s Scheme of Delegation.