Issue - meetings

Report from Cabinet Member, Customer Service, Communications and Corporate Affairs

Councillor Richard Gold, Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Communications and Corporate Affairs, presented a report setting out the actions resulting from a series of staffing changes within the Corporate Core during 2024/25, and seeking approval for a Voluntary Exit application and the creation of two new Chief Officer Posts. In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that Councillor Gold had received assurance from officers regarding the model and the job offer, and the posts would be filled with the best people we could find.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Agreed to the deletion of the post of Director of People & Inclusion following the post-holder’s resignation;

2.    Agreed to deletion of the post of Head of Human Resources;

3.    Approved the Voluntary Early Retirement of the Head of HR, support payment of the Voluntary Early Retirement and capital costs associated and commend this proposal to Council for their agreement;

4.    Thanked the Head of Human Resources for his contribution to the Council during his time with the authority;

5.    Agreed to the creation of two new Chief Officer posts: Assistant Director People & Inclusion and Head of Communications; and

6.    Delegated authority to the Executive Director (Strategy & Transformation) and Monitoring Officer to consider responses received from the consultation and produce a final version of the structure for implementation.

Reasons for the decision:

The proposals in this report make a budget saving with support the Council’s financial position in 2025/26 and will create a permanent leadership structure within two important areas of the Corporate Core.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

None.