Shaping the Council Committee – 9 February 2011

PRESENT: Councillor Kirk in the chair.

Councillors L Foster, Davison and Swift.

The committee met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

109 SUBSTITUTIONS– It was reported that there were no substitutions and no apologies.

110 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

111 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 9 February 2011 be approved as a correct record.

112 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item (minute 113 refers) on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

113 THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE COUNCIL – SERVICE STRUCTURES – The Chief Executive submitted a report which considered the next stages in the review of the senior management structure of the council, and in particular the service groupings. The committee had previously approved the principles and analysis of the proposed future structure of the council, approved a service structure of six service groupings under directors and requested that further work be undertaken in relation to the next stage.

The Chief Executive and the six Service Directors had undertaken the detailed work required to shape and implement the new structures and the report considered the service grouping proposals which reflected the proposed structure changes and provided the best fit of services in the new management arrangements. The report also considered the functions to be managed in the regeneration service unit reporting directly to the Chief Executive.

Attached as appendices to the report were the service groupings and suggested management arrangements for Adult Social Services, Children and Young People Services, Corporate and Community Services, Finance Services, Infrastructure Services, Neighbourhood and Environmental Services and the Strategic Regeneration Unit. These had been developed in accordance with the principles set out by this committee although there was a recognition that in the proposals there were a number of external developments that would need to be considered as legislation was approved. However, it was the new Council Management Team’s view that these proposals were robust and would provide the direction for the council. They would of course be kept under review. The structure and range of functions had been grouped to reduce the number of members on senior management teams. In total there was a reduction from 44 to 25 members of SMTs in the six directorates. There would need to be a further consideration of the nature and activity of the support and corporate functions as the new council management team developed its working practices. At present these activities had been allocated to Service Directors as shown in the appendices, largely in current format at team level.

The regeneration activity would be crucial in encouraging economic growth in the area and it was proposed that the service be streamlined to concentrate on the key strategic regeneration and planning issues, but that development control activities join with the wider planning activity to reflect the new emphasis on local determination of planning. The significant changes envisaged in the Localism Bill would affect the working practice of the planning function across the whole service.

The financial implications of the council management team review showed savings of around £380,000 and the financial implications of the senior management review would need to be worked through on a service by service basis. However, the principle to be followed was that all proposals were required to generate savings. The Assistant Director posts would be filled in accordance with the council’s review protocol.

Resolved – (a) That the proposed structures and functions as detailed in the report and appendices be approved and adopted; (b) that the proposed process for grading and appointing to the posts be approved as detailed in the report, and (c) that a further meeting of the committee be held as soon as possible to determine any outstanding issues arising from this process.