URL: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4184

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented the report which set out a series of proposed changes to the Council’s leadership arrangements and senior accountabilities which seek to achieve further efficiencies whilst assuring capacity and alignment to deliver.   It was noted that the report proposes to shift the Council’s organisational model from five to four delivery departments, integrating most of the services within the current Operations Department within the Business Growth and Infrastructure function, which will be renamed as the Place Department.   As part of these changes the Executive Director for Operations role will be deleted when the officer leaves the Council in April and the Leader placed on record thanks to Donna Ball for her leadership of the Department since 2020. During her time in Bury Donna has overseen the delivery of operational service throughout the Covid pandemic, including the provision of humanitarian aid, led a significant programme of modernisation of the Council’s waste management services and the growth of Bury’s internationally recognised Market. Donna will play a key role in helping to embed the new proposed arrangements over the first quarter of next year.   Cllr Bernstein sought reassurance on the recruitment and selection for the Executive Director role. In response the Leader assured Members that the distribution of services across the Council was a strong model and will bring together core services.   All members placed on record their tribute to the dedication and service delivery of Donna Ball, Executive Director of Operations.   Councillor Morris, reminded all members that voting is live for Britan’s favourite Market: Vote for Britain's Favourite Market - NABMA   Decision:   Cabinet: Approved the following structural changes as a basis for Consultation with affected staff:   A)   The deletion of the post of Executive Director (Operations) upon the departure of the current postholder on 6 April 2025   B)   The establishment of a new post of Director (Place Operations) at Chief Officer Band D (£85,962-£93,267) reporting to the Executive Director (Place) with leadership accountability for the StreetScene and Engineers, Waste and Transport and Commercial Services functions with the Heads of Service for these functions reporting directly to the new Director.   C)   The transfer of the posts of Head of Wellness and their areas of responsibility to the leadership of the Director of Public Health in the Health and Care Department.   D)   The transfer of the posts of Head of Facilities Management and their areas of responsibility to the leadership of the Director of Regeneration and Project Delivery within the Business, Growth and Infrastructure Department.   E)   The redesignation of the post of Assistant Director (Operations Strategy) to Assistant Director (Public Protection & Community Safety) and transfer of this post to the Corporate Core under the direct leadership of the Executive Director (Strategy & Transformation). As well as their existing leadership accountability for Public Protection the Operations Safety & Resilience Manager and Operations & Emergency Response Managers will move to report to this post.   Delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council in consultation with the Cabinet Members for HR and Corporate Affairs, Director of People and Inclusion and Monitoring Officer to consider responses received from the consultation and produce a final version of the structure for implementation.   Subject to consultation and implementation, the Monitoring Officer progresses any necessary changes to delegations within the Council’s constitution.   Agree that, subject to consultation and implementation of the above proposals, the Executive Director (Operations) will continue to report directly to the Chief Executive and provide specialist support to the development of proposed new operating arrangements and key corporate projects until their Departure on 6 April 2025.   Agree that, subject to consultation and implementation of the above proposals, the Assistant Director (Operations) will be assimilated into the post of Director of Operations, reporting to the Executive Director (Place), to oversee the StreetScene and Engineers, Waste and Transport and Commercial Services functions as well as providing transition support to their other areas of responsibility.   Note the positive outcomes of the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge re-visit in October and the progress made on the Council’s response to the original Peer Challenge.   Agree that, to take account of the proposed changes, the current Business Growth and Infrastructure Department be renamed as the Place Department to take account of the revised accountability.    Reasons for recommendation(s):   To support delivery of the Corporate Plan and LET’S Do It, it is crucial that the Council has an organisational delivery model which effectively aligns resources to its priorities and support joined-up working between Departments and across the Council as a whole. In the challenging budget context, the Council must seek to take all opportunities to realise savings through the rationalisation of leadership posts by reviewing and revising portfolios whilst also ensuring sufficient capacity to deliver.   Alternative options considered and rejected:   Maintaining the current structural arrangements. This is not viable in the current financial context and would not present the best future delivery model for the Council.  

Date of Decision: December 4, 2024