Issue - meetings

*RESOLVED –

That the processes that were being recommended to be put in place in order to support the Cabinet Member for Business Transformation’s existing delegation for the creation of new posts be noted and endorsed.

REASONS FOR RECOMMEDATIONS

To inform the committee of changes put in place to ensure more effective decision making.

The Executive Director submitted a report to inform the committee of the revised process for exercising current delegated powers in order to ensure the staffing establishment remains responsive.

Since December 2015 vacancy control measures had been put in place through an officer panel made up of an Executive Director, Human Resources (HR) Manager and Director of Finance and Resources. The panel made decisions in line with policy set by Cabinet.

This process had been effective in providing controls through a centralised decision making point whilst ensuring that finance and HR checks on affordability and policy compliance were taking place. The process had instilled important controls but could form a barrier to services being agile and responsive.

Currently when there was a requirement for additional staff the existing practice was for all requests to go through either the Employment and General Committee or the Joint Cabinet and Employment and General Committee for approval. This route was appropriate for any approvals requiring a net increase to budgets to maintain proper financial controls.

Where there was no net increase in operating budgets it was proposed to take decisions through a simpler route to allow managers to respond to opportunities with greater agility.

Part three of the Council’s Constitution allowed for the Cabinet Member for Business Transformation ‘to approve the creation of new posts needed for specific purposes’ (BT080). This delegation would now be used to provide a more streamlined route for proposals for new posts subject to certain circumstances:-

·        That the creation of a new post does not lead to a net increase in the budget required for the service;

·        That the creation of a new post is not part of a wider review or restructure of a service;

·        That the creation of a new post does not require changes to be made to terms and conditions;

·        That all proposals for the creation of a new post within the existing Cabinet Member for Business Transformation delegation be considered by the Vacancy Control Panel first;

·        That proposals which had been considered at the Vacancy Control Panel would also be able to demonstrate support from the appropriate Cabinet Member responsible for the service and that the recognised trade unions had been involved.

The report provided detail on the financial, HR and governance considerations. 

*RESOLVED –

That the processes that were being recommended to be put in place in order to support the Cabinet Member for Business Transformation’s existing delegation for the creation of new posts be noted and endorsed.

REASONS FOR RECOMMEDATIONS

To inform the committee of changes put in place to ensure more effective decision making.