Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Growth, presented the report which set out a new proposed staffing structure for the finance team. Members noted the challenges to staff, and that this proposal sought to reduce the risk of redundancy to the absolute minimum. In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that there were 15 agency staff included in the restructure; some of these were ‘career agency’ but some would apply for permanent positions.
Decision:
Cabinet:
1. Agreed the overall proposed structure set out in Appendix A as a basis for a 90 day period of consultation with staff and the recognised Trade Unions; and
2. Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and the Cabinet Members for Finance and Corporate Affairs and Human Resources in consultation with the Director of People and Inclusion to consider responses received from the consultation, produce a final version of the structure and to determine whether the final version is to be implemented or returned to Cabinet for approval prior to implementation.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council needs to create and develop a high performing team which supports all budget holders and activities within the Council to ensure financial discipline, grip and control is achieved. The current structure has been in place a number of years and has evolved over time with the addition and deletion of posts. The Local Government landscape has changed significantly in recent years and new challenges and ways of working have left finance unable to fully support some of the Council’s core activity and aspirations. The current structure and grades are inconsistent amongst sections, exacerbates silo working and reduces departmental wide communication.
Other options considered and rejected:
The service could continue as current, but this is deemed inappropriate due to older style job descriptions which no longer cover the requirements by the Council. The Council could adopt a different structure following a 90 day consultation with all staff.