COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MODERNISING MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

[Kintyre Forum News]

COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MODERNISING MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Argyll and Bute councillors are to discuss a proposed shake-up at the authority’s senior management level.

A report recommending the changes, written by Chief Executive Sally Loudon, will go to the Council meeting on Thursday, November 26.

Among its recommendations are that the existing structure of four Directors becomes three Executive Directors.

In addition, the existing 15 Heads of Service posts would be reduced to 12.

Senior Management across the Council will undergo a competency evaluation, overseen by an external organisation, as part of the assessment process.

“These recommendations, if approved, represent a very exciting next step forward for Argyll and Bute Council,” Mrs Loudon said.

“What I am proposing is driven by a determination to continue our journey of improvement.

“All the indications are that we are going in the right direction in this respect, and that the pace of change has improved to meet the challenges of delivering our services within a difficult financial climate.

“However, there remain aspects of the organisation which require to change if the Council is to further improve.

“This is not management restructuring for the sake of it, nor is it motivated by the need to identify efficiency savings. This is about modernising the Council to ensure it is in the best possible shape to oversee a more focused and rigorous drive towards greater performance and efficiency, for the benefit of everyone in Argyll and Bute.”

The meeting at which this report will be discussed will be in the Council Chamber at Kilmory on Thursday, November 26 at 1.30pm

[maxmix]

Sounds good... A few good statements there.... Hopefully some of the 'Riff Raff' go

maxmix

PS I like ''nor is it motivated by the need to identify efficiency savings'' It should be though

and ''In addition, the existing 15 Heads of Service posts would be reduced to 12'' (Still too many) if they halved that wage bill the job would still get done....

[Kintyre Forum News]

COUNCIL AGREES TO MODERNISE ITS MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Argyll and Bute councillors have approved a number of changes to the structure of the authority’s senior management team.

A report recommending the revised framework, written by Chief Executive Sally Loudon, was agreed by the Council today.

The existing structure of four Directors will become three Executive Directors covering Community Services, Customer Services and Development and Infrastructure Services.

In addition, as Phase Two of the programme, the existing 15 Heads of Service posts will be reduced to 12.

Their posts will cover Strategic Finance; Improvement and HR; Governance and Law; Support and Customer Service; Facilities; Roads and Amenities; Planning and Regulations; Economic Development; Adult Care; Children and Families; Education and Community and Culture.

“This is a very exciting next step forward for Argyll and Bute Council,” Mrs Loudon said.

“We have been working extremely hard as an organisation to improve the way in which we operate and provide our services, and all the indications are that we are going in the right direction in this respect.

“We are determined to continue to make progress, but the management structure needs to change to ensure that we are best equipped to meet the challenges we face.

“I am pleased that the Councillors were supportive of this new approach, and I very much look forward to making a start on implementing the revisions and overseeing a more focused drive towards greater performance and efficiency, for the benefit of everyone in Argyll and Bute.”

Senior Management across the Council will undergo a competency evaluation, overseen by an external organisation, as part of the assessment procedure.

The process will be staged, with the Directors appointed first followed by the Heads of Service, and should be concluded by the end of February 2010.

Council Leader Dick Walsh welcomed the changes.

“This is an indication that we will not shy away from decisions which have a major impact on this authority if the outcome is likely to be better services and better value for those who live in, work in and visit Argyll and Bute,” he said.

“We believe that these measures will ensure that we are in the best possible shape to face the challenges of the future, and I look forward to this Council continuing to drive forward its plans for improvement.”

The new structure will save £370,000 per annum compared to the existing framework.

[maxmix]

The new structure will save £370,000 per annum compared to the existing framework.

Brilliant news.... Lets hope some or all of the cash gets used sensibly....

maxmix

[Kintyre Forum News]

The new structure will save £370,000 per annum compared to the existing framework.

Brilliant news.... Lets hope some or all of the cash gets used sensibly....

maxmix

Doubt if the cash will be used sensibly Maxmix. The Councils accross Scotland have to tighten their belts after a funding cut of £500m "imposed on the Scottish budget by the UK government".

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll and Bute in shake-up which will see the loss of four senior posts, saving £370,000 a year
Two directors to retire as council moves to cut top jobs

Two directors at a council set to cut top jobs have announced that they will retire from their £90,366 posts.

Argyll and Bute Council is about to undergo a management shake-up, which will see the loss of four senior posts, saving £370,000 a year.

George Harper, director of development services and Andy Law, director of operational services, have decided to retire from the council on March 31.

Currently the council has four directors, to be reduced to three in the New Year.

The existing 15 heads of service jobs are being slashed to 12.

All senior management, including directors and heads of service, will have to reapply for the new jobs and undergo competency evaluations.

Mr Harper has worked in local government for 37 years, 22 of which have been with Argyll and Bute Council.

He has taken the lead on many major projects including transport, town-centre schemes and most recently the Chord (Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon) project, the regeneration of five of the area’s waterfront towns.

Mr Law, 54, has 36 years of local government experience and has been employed by Argyll and Bute Council since 1991.

During this time, he has spearheaded the introduction of new initiatives such as kerbside recycling.

Yesterday Mr Harper was on annual leave.

Mr Law said he hadn’t enjoyed a long holiday from work since leaving school and was looking forward to doing so. He wished the council all the best for the future. Council leader Dick Walsh said: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr Law and Mr Harper for the outstanding commitment that they have made to our council over the years. As directors, they have been at the helm of significant and innovative improvements in their areas of responsibility, which have resulted in better services to our customers. I would like to wish them both all the very best in their retirement.”

Chief executive Sally Loudon said: “Mr Law and Mr Harper have been key members of the council’s strategic management team helping to push forward and deliver on our improvement agenda. I wish them and their families well for whatever they choose to do in the future and a long and happy retirement.”

The new executive directors and heads of service should all be in place by the end of February 2010.

[maxmix]

2 x £90,000 posts... Wow ! Well thats a few quid saved

Nice Pensions also I would think after all these years !

maxmix