Agenda item

A report from the Chief Executive Officer.

The Chairman invited Cllr Philip Whitehead to introduce the item and stated that the report could be found at pages 153 – 164 of the agenda.

The item involved the designation of statutory functions following a restructure, a report went through Cabinet on 9 June 2020 outlining proposals to change the Tier 1 Senior Management structure. After consultation with staff and Members the interim structure was implemented on 1 July 2020. As a result, the changes to the statutory functions needed to be confirmed.

Cllr Whitehead proposed a motion to approve the recommendations on pages 153 and 154 of the agenda. This was seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer.

The Chairman then invited group leaders to speak.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrats queried why the interim designation of titles for DASS, DCS and the Section 151 Officer was taking place prior to the final review. 

Cllr Ernie Clark, Leader of the Independent Group stated that he had nothing to add.

Cllr Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group stated that he was happy with the proposals.

The item was then opened to debate.

Cllr Jon Hubbard stated that he was concerned regarding the designation of DASS and DCS to the same role as this was not thought to be best practise. He thought it would be more appropriate to wait until after the review had taken place. Cllr Hubbard requested that in future it may be of benefit to consult the relevant Select Committee Chairs in designation of statutory functions.

Cllr Philip Whitehead responded that there was an issue of timing around this. Statutory roles had to be allocated at all times, the Tier 2 roles were in the process of being allocated, which is why the designation was interim. There was a process that had to be followed. Cllr Whitehead invited Terence Herbert, Chief Executive Officer, to give further details.

Terence Herbert explained that Alison Elliott the DASS had left the organisation, therefore the role had to sit with one of the directors. After careful consideration and discussion, it was decided that the designation of DASS should sit at Corporate Director level. When the final review took place, relevant Members would be consulted. 

At the conclusion of the debate it was;

Resolved

That Council:

a. Approve the designation of statutory functions as follows:

i. Returning Officer (RO) and Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to the Chief Executive.

ii. Head of Paid Service to the Chief Executive

b. Note the interim designation of the Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) AND Director of Children’s Services (DCS) to the interim Corporate Director for People pending a review of tier 2 senior leadership structure.

c. Note the interim designation of the Section 151 Officer to the interim Corporate Director of Resources pending a review of tier 2 senior leadership structure.

d. Note that the other designated statutory roles are unchanged as a result of the restructure and remain with existing postholders namely:

i. Director of Public Health (DPH) with the post of Director of Public Health

ii. Monitoring Officer with the post of Director of Legal and Governance

e. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from the designation of the statutory functions outlined above.