Highways & Neighbourhoods Cabinet Member – Minutes – 4 February 2015

The corresponding report of the following item (Minute 156 refers) contains exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

156  (33) REVIEW OF HIGHWAYS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS SERVICES – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking agreement for changes to the structure for Highways and Neighbourhood Services.

The functions of Highways and Neighbourhood Services formed part of the Community Services Division within the Places Directorate. Some synergies and overlaps existed between these two functions. The review explored the opportunities to integrate these teams with the key aim of improving services for customers and instilling a culture of ‘putting our customers first and working to deliver pride in North Lincolnshire’.

A number of other councils had already introduced or were exploring an integrated service model for their Highways and Neighbourhood Service units. Officers had looked at introducing this model with the aim of seeing services working more effectively and efficiently at a local level, improving outcomes for customers with more accountability to local communities.

As a result a review scope was developed which looked to integrate the main services but also sought to improve service standards, change working patterns, improve capacity, provide better value for money, share assets, improve customer services and visibility, add greater commercial focus and develop career progression and multi-skilled opportunities within the workforce.

The report and accompanying appendices gave full details of the review, including financial implications.

Resolved – (a) That changes to the structures, as set out in the report and accompanying appendices, be approved; (b) that a target date for implementation of the review of 1 April 2015, after applying the council’s approved review protocol, be approved; (c) that the Director of Places be authorised to approve the final grades of posts affected by the changes, as detailed in the report and accompanying appendices, upon full completion of the job evaluation process, and (d) that changes to operational functions, as set out in the report, including the decision on how best to harmonise arrangement in relation to PROW grass cutting, be approved.

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Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.