Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

            The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd February 2009.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd February 2009, be confirmed and signed as a correct record. 

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

            No public questions were asked under Standing Order 28.

The Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a report concerning (a) a vacancy that had arisen on the Council’s Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, following the resignation of Councillor David Sammels from that Committee and as its Chair, (b) the resignation of Councillor Sammels from the Children and Young People’s Joint Commissioning Board, the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board, the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education and as a Children and Young People’s Champion, (c) a vacancy that had arisen on the Council’s Economic, Environmental and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Committee, following the resignation of Councillor Glenn Smith from that Committee and as its Chair, and (d) nominations from the Council’s Conservative group to fill the resulting vacancies for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

Resolved – (1) That the resignation of Councillor David Sammels from the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and as its Chair, and from various other Council bodies, be noted.

(2) That the resignation of Councillor Glenn Smith from the Economic, Environmental and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and as its Chair, be noted.

(3) That, with effect from 27^th March 2009, Councillor Justin Tomlinson be appointed as a member and as Chair of the Economic, Environmental and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

(4) That, with effect from 27^th March 2009, Councillor Glenn Smith be appointed as a member and as Chair of the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

(5) That it be noted that appointments to vacancies on other Council bodies will take place at the Annual Council meeting on 22^nd May 2009.

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive submitted a joint report concerning proposed organisational restructuring changes that would help to ensure that the way in which the Council’s business units were organised remained fit for purpose, demonstrated value for money and supported the Council’s strategic objectives.

The Head of HR Policy and Strategy explained that the Group Director, Children had drawn attention to confusion that had arisen, both externally and internally, with regard to Director titles and responsibilities within his Group Directorate. He wished to put forward proposed changes to two Director titles that he believed would help to clarify responsibilities across the Children Group, and a revised organisational structure chart (Appendix 1 to the report), was circulated at the meeting which set out the changed titles.

Councillor Kevin Small, Leader of the Opposition on the Council, expressed disappointment at the lack of consultation with opposition political groups on the proposed management changes, and in particular, at those that were now to be joint appointments, or subject to joint funding with partner organisations. The Head of HR Policy and Strategy agreed to forward to Councillor Small the current job descriptions for the joint funded posts.

Councillor Small referred to the proposed change of Director titles within the Children Group Directorate, and to his hope that consideration could be given to retaining reference to “Young People” in at least one of the titles. The Chair and Vice-Chair also expressed their support for this view and to the message this sent to older young people in the Borough.

Resolved – (1) That, on behalf of the Council, and with effect from the 1^st April 2009, the following changes be made to the Council’s Organisational Structure:

o       The transfer of the Community Directorate to the Group Directorate of Environment and Regeneration;

o       The Environment and Regeneration Group Directorate be redesignated ‘Group Directorate Environment, Regeneration and Community;

o       The redesignation of the Environment and Regeneration Group Director to ‘Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director, Environment, Regeneration and Community’;

o       The transfer of the delegations exercised by the current Director Property and Assets (Nos. 391 to 393) to the Group Director Business Transformation;

o       The deletion of the post of Director of Procurement and the post of Director of Property and Assets from the Management Structure;

o       The redesignation of the title Director of Children and Family Services to the Director of Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting;

o       The redesignation of the title Director of Children and Young People’s Services to the Director of Integrated Children and Young People’s Services; and

o       The Council’s Management Structure, subject to the amendment above, be as set out in the revised Appendix 1 to the report tabled at the meeting.

(2) That, on behalf of the Council, the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution to recognise the organisational changes set out in (1) above.

(3) That the joint appointment of Dr. Jennifer Harries, as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.