Agenda item
Organisation Structure
This report recommends that formal consultation commence on a revised organisational structure to direct the future shape of managerial leadership and Directorates. The report makes proposals for the senior leadership of the Council, the first two tiers – that is the Chief Executive, Directors and those reporting directly. Further reports will be brought for the remainder of the management tiers to rationalise reporting lines and posts as part of the medium term financial strategy.
Minutes:
Will Tuckley, Chief Executive, introduced the report. He explained that the review of the Council’s organisational structure had been informed by various elements and he believed the proposed structure is the best to deliver the outcomes and priorities of Members and the Mayor. The proposal will also reduce the workforce paybill, which is appropriate in a time of general decreasing resources for the Council
The Chair tabled a short document containing a number of comments from the Trade Union UNISON on the organisation restructure proposals.
The Chief Executive explained some of the key outcomes he hoped to achieve from the reorganisation, including:
· An improved workforce ethos and culture, building on the marked level of pride already present throughout the workforce, but also tackling some concerns with the internal culture, revealed through recent Chief Executive Roadshows.
· Consolidating the core functions of the Council
· Consolidating frontline customer services
· Creating a strong emphasis on the importance of partnerships and their critical role in securing positive outcomes for residents
· Identifying and strengthening cross-cutting areas within the structure (see the four dotted lines ‘clusters’ within Appendix 1 of the report). It was also noted the bottom entry under Director of Place represented liaison with Tower Hamlets Homes, not an additional AD post.
The Committee commented on several elements of the proposed organisation structure and asked the Chief Executive to clarify as appropriate, including:
· The scope of the Assistant Director (AD) Regeneration, Housing and Economic Regeneration is very broad. Can a single AD manage such a wide remit? The Chief Executive explained the current proposal envisaged a strategic focus for this AD and if the post looked likely to include significant operational responsibilities the proposition would be revised.
· Concerns that the education focus of Idea Stores may be compromised if they are located within the AD Customer Service. The Chief Executive explained that the Idea Stores represented the Council’s best customer service practice and it is intended this proposal will allow that good practice to be shared. The educational role of Idea Stores will remain central to their operation.
· The Committee also made general points that it would be helpful to have more information on the current management organisational structure for comparative purposes.
· In response to questions from Members, the Chief Executive provided more detail on where specific Council functions were proposed to be located within the proposed new structure. He further explained that he is happy to receive suggested changes to titles of posts, especially if it helped to clarify roles and/or assist with recruitment to those posts.
Following several comments on the process of redeployment, the Chief Executive proposed an amendment to recommendation (c) in the report to clarify that the proposed change to the Officer Employment Procedure Rules would be limited to this specific reorganisation and would not require a permanent change. Graham White, Interim Service Head, Legal Services, advised that the amended recommendation would not require a reference to full Council and would mean, in turn, that recommendation (d) from the report should be dropped. The Chief Executive stressed that, subject to the change above, matters of assimilation, vacancies and redeployment would be handled in accordance with the Council’s current rules and policies.
A discussion took place regarding the assimilation of current staff into the new structure.
The Chair, Councillor Danny Hassell, invited Mayor John Biggs to address the meeting. The Mayor advised he had been consulted on the proposal and agreed with the principles that underpinned it. He further stressed the consultation period would allow opportunity to scrutinise the proposal and he would be keen to hear any views.
Following a question from Councillors, the Chief Executive stated that an update on progress with the proposed reorganisation would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee and the timeline on page 28 of the report amended accordingly. The update will include information on formal consultation responses.
RESOLVED that the Committee –
a) Agree the organisation structure described at paragraphs 3.21-3.25 and the attached chart for release to formal consultation.
b) Note that the formal consultation period will commence with effect from 19th September and end on 28th October to provide sufficient time for comprehensive staff and union engagement.
c) Authorise the Chief Executive, pursuant to the Council’s organisational change procedure, to appoint to posts within the restructure any deputy chief officer who might be displaced.
d) Note that a series of enabling projects will be delivered as described at paragraph 3.28 and where required staffing decisions brought back to this Committee.
Supporting documents:
- Organisation Structure, item 3.2 PDF 114 KB
- Org Structure Appendix 1, item 3.2 PDF 70 KB
- Org Structure Appendix 2, item 3.2 PDF 41 KB
- Org Structure Appendix 3, item 3.2 PDF 63 KB
- UNISON comments GP report - Org Structure, item 3.2 PDF 64 KB