Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carol Chisholm, David Howarth, Susan Jones and Mick Titherington.

The Scrutiny and Performance Manager declared a prejudicial interest in the Management Re-structure Consultation Document item and indicated that he would leave the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

To formalise the committee’s response (attached) to the consultation document previously circulated to members.

(The Scrutiny and Performance Manager declared a prejudicial interest in this item as he was directly affected by the Senior Management Restructure, and left the meeting during the consideration thereof.)

Further to minute no. 14 (30 August 2017), the committee considered its draft response to the Management Re-structure Consultation Document.

The committee was grateful to the Chief Executive for consulting the Scrutiny Committee on the future management structure of the Council. This was particularly pleasing as it was a key recommendation from the Scrutiny Review of Licensing.

The committee noted that the Chief Executive’s attendance at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Committee (held on 30 August 2017) to give a presentation and answer questions had been very useful.

A discussion ensued on the 6 draft recommendations. In respect of Recommendation 2 the committee accepted the significant reassurance from the Chief Executive that there would be a number of officers to offer additional support to the Scrutiny function. The committee therefore suggested that this recommendation should be amended to seek further assurances about the support for both Scrutiny and Governance functions under either of the proposed new structures.

During the course of the meeting, the Scrutiny Committee also agreed the following minor amendments –

Recommendation 4, first line, the word “developed” be replaced by “implemented”.

Recommendation 6, first line, the deletion of the words “Consideration be given to ...” and be replaced by “The Council moves to...”.

RESOLVED (unanimously): that based on the information provided, the Scrutiny Committee recommends that –

1. Further consideration and information is provided on the justification and potential implications of sharing the statutory roles of the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer with Chorley Council.

2. Requests further re-assurance about the future officer support for the Scrutiny and Governance functions and that the proposals going forward clearly outline the officer support to be provided under the new management structure.

3. Clarity be provided on the selection process for the posts that are not statutory officer appointments to ensure it is fair and there is equality of opportunity.

4. Plans are implemented to ensure those not successful in applying for the new roles in the structure are provided with the necessary support.

5. A support programme for those appointed to the new structure be put in place to help them manage the transition and ‘step up’ to the challenge.

6. The Council moves to developing a shared services strategy outlining both council’s vision for shared services and a review of the governance arrangements of the shared services partnership, including harmonizing employee terms and conditions.

Report of the Scrutiny Task Group attached.

Further to minute no. 17(a) (30 August 2017), the committee received the final report from the Scrutiny Review of Staff Morale Task Group.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the committee endorses the task group’s findings/recommendations.