Decision details

The Policy and Communications Manager submitted a report recommending for approval a revised employee structure for the Chesterfield Community Safety partnership in order to ensure the continued sustainability of the partnership against a background of external funding reductions.

The report noted that the resourcing of the current employee structure of the Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership relied heavily on Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) funding which was only guaranteed for 2015/16 and was likely to reduce significantly during the next PCC term beginning in June 2016.

Consultation had taken place with the various partner agencies which had confirmed that the current employee structure was not flexible and agile enough to respond emerging crime priorities. The report recommended a new staffing structure which included the deletion of two posts that were currently vacant. Other changes involved moving the ASB Officer role onto a permanent contract and creating a new role of Assistant Community Safety Officer to support the Community Safety Officer and ASB Officer.

The proposed structure had been co-designed with the full involvement of the Community Safety Officer and consultation had taken place with the ASB Officer. Discussions had also taken place with Community Safety partners and the relevant Trade Union; both had raised no further issues or concerns.

The proposed changes would significantly reduce the Council’s reliance on external funding from £33,834 to £15,706, which was considered more sustainable as the latter sum would fall within Police and Derbyshire County Council mainstream budgets. In addition, if the new structure was implemented from 1 April, 2016 the Council would realise a saving of £7,858 for 2016/17 and a recurring saving of £3,231 for future years.

The report also outlined the potential risks involved in moving to the new staffing structure and the proposed actions to mitigate these.

*RESOLVED –

1)   That the proposed revised employee structure for the Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership be approved.

2)   That the Community Safety Officer in consultation with the HR Manager be authorised to effect the appointment of staff to the new structure having regard to the Council’s policies and protocols.