Agenda item

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Mace and Thomas)

Report of the Chief Executive.

Note: Whilst the report for this item is a public report, if during the course of the information presented, or during Members’ discussions, it is likely that reference will need to be made to information relating to, or likely to reveal the identity of, any individual, Cabinet is recommended to pass the following recommendation:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Mace and Thomas)

(It was noted that the Chief Executive, the three Corporate Directors and the Head of Financial Services had previously declared personal and prejudicial interests in this item. They all left the meeting prior to consideration of the item.)

(Councillor Fletcher joined the meeting during consideration of this item.)

The Chairman noted that, whilst the following report was a public report, during the course of the information presented and the resulting discussions reference would need to be made to information likely to reveal the identity of individuals.

It was therefore moved by Councillor Langhorn and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

“(1)      That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members then voted as follows:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Cabinet was asked to consider a presentation from the North West Employers Organisation (NWEO) on the consultancy work undertaken so far on the Council’s senior management restructuring and the resulting proposals.

Members received a report from the NWEO in the form of a presentation setting out the reasons for change and options for a new senior management structure for Cabinet to consider. The information presented provided recommendations, the rationale for the recommendations and the next steps in the restructure process.

Following the presentation, the consultant from the NWEO responded to Members’ questions.

It was moved by Councillor Mace and seconded by Councillor Thomas:-

“That Cabinet approves the report in principle and in particular supports the proposal that service heads be reduced from 13 to 6, supports the proposal that these new service heads be considered as “Assistant Directors” and that they should be members of the senior management team, supports the phased reduction in the number of corporate directors and instructs that these proposals be taken forward internally with a view to implementation starting during 2010/11. As a further phase in restructuring of top Management, Cabinet would be willing to consider sharing a Chief Executive with another authority, should such an opportunity arise."

At that point in the meeting, Councillor Bryning proposed the suspension of standing orders, seconded by Councillor Blamire, to allow a number of additional questions to officers. On being put to the vote, the proposition was supported by more than half the whole number of Members of Cabinet present and was therefore carried.

Resolved:

(2)        That Council Procedure rules relating to the rules of debate be suspended to allow a further period of questions on the report.

After further discussion and with the agreement of the seconder and the meeting, Councillor Mace withdrew his original proposition and proposed the following motion, seconded by Councillor Thomas:-

“That Cabinet approves the report in principle and in particular supports the proposal that service heads be reduced from 13 to 6, supports the proposal that these new service heads be considered as “Assistant Directors” and that they should be members of the senior management team, supports the phased reduction in the number of corporate directors and instructs that these proposals be taken forward internally with a detailed proposal and delivery plan being developed by December 2009 which considers the operational, financial and legislative requirements."

Members then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(3)        That Cabinet approves the report in principle and in particular supports the proposal that service heads be reduced from 13 to 6, supports the proposal that these new service heads be considered as “Assistant Directors” and that they should be members of the senior management team, supports the phased reduction in the number of corporate directors and instructs that these proposals be taken forward internally with a detailed proposal and delivery plan being developed by December 2009 which considers the operational, financial and legislative requirements.

Council Procedure Rules were re-instated.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision allows progress to be made with the senior management restructuring in line with previous decisions of the Personnel Committee and Cabinet and the savings which need to be made on employee costs.

(At the close of this item the exclusion was lifted. There was a short adjournment at 11.35am, for a comfort break and the meeting re-convened at 11.40am, when members of the press and public were re-admitted to the meeting and the Chief Executive, the Corporate Directors and the Head of Financial Services re-joined the meeting.)