Meeting: Cabinet (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 08/01/2009 10:00:00 AM)
Item: A4 LGR Update
| Report of George Garlick, Chief Executive (Cabinet Portfolio Holder Councillor Simon Henig , Leader) |
Purpose of Report
1. The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on the LGR programme, with just less than three months remaining until Vesting Day.
Senior Management Appointments
2. The recruitment process for the Heads of Service appointments has now been completed and the appointments made announced. These are listed below, but you will note that not all of the posts have been filled. The Corporate Management Team together with HR are currently working on options to fill these remaining posts.
Assistant Chief Executive
Head of Partnerships and Community Engagement - Gordon Elliott, Derwentside District Council
Head of Policy and Communications - Roger Goodes, Durham County Council
Head of Planning & Performance - not filled
Adults, Wellbeing and Health
Head of Adult Care - Lesley Tickell, Durham County Council
Head of Commissioning - Nick Whitton, Durham County Council
Head of Libraries, Learning and Culture - Rosemary Laxton, Durham County Council
Head of Policy, Planning and Performance - Peter Appleton, Durham County Council
Head of Social Inclusion - Gerald Tompkins, Durham County Council
Head of Finance - not filled
Children and Young Peoples Services
Head of Access and Inclusion - Maureen Clare, Durham County Council
Head of Achievement Services - Dave Ford, Durham County Council
Head of Extended Services - Amanda Johnson, Durham County Council
Head of Finance - Phil Barclay, Durham County Council
Head of Safeguarding and Specialist Services - Gail Hopper, Durham County Council
Head of Strategic Commissioning - Carole Payne, Durham County Council
Neighbourhood Services
Head of Business Regulation - Joanne Waller, Derwentside District Council
Head of Direct Services - Oliver Sherratt, District of Easington
Head of Finance - Paul Darby, City of Durham Council
Head of Policy, Planning and Performance - Jeff Riddell, City of Durham Council
Head of Technical Services - not filled
Head of Sports & Leisure - not filled
Regeneration and Economic Development
Head of Housing - Glyn Hall, Sedgefield Borough Council
Head of Policy, Planning and Performance - Andy Palmer, Sedgefield Borough Council
Head of Transport - Adrian White, Durham County Council
Head of Planning - not filled
Head of Economic - not filled
Resources
Head of Asset Management - Chris Rolle, Durham County Council
Head of Finance - Jeff Garfoot Durham County Council
Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development - Kim Jobson, Durham County Council
Head of Legal & Democratic Services - Not Filled
Head of ICT - not filled
HR
3. Work is now underway to develop the structures and job descriptions for the level below Heads of Service. This work is to be completed early in January in order that the consultation process for this next level of design can be carried out.
4. Alongside this work the HR workstream are continuing to develop policies and procedures which will support the transition into the new Council. Areas covered include an employee induction programme, plans for pay harmonisation, updates on employee support and terms and conditions and the results of the Culture Audit which have been carried forward from December.
Area Action Partnerships (AAPs)
5. The consultation on how the AAPs will operate closed on 5th January. The workstream are now pulling together the results of the consultation to share with Members before Cabinet considers the options on 22nd January.
Members Seminar
6. The next seminar is to be held on Thursday 22nd January at 6pm and repeated on Thursday 29th January at 1pm. At these sessions it is planned to cover a number of additional policies developed by the Housing workstream including private sector housing renewal financial assistance, homelessness strategy and housing options.
Members Training
7. The Members Learning and Development strategy should be available during January to review; in the meantime plans are in place to ensure members receive the critical training to carry out key functions of the new Council. The dates for the licensing training have now been confirmed and are as follows:
21st January (pm only)
27th January (pm only)
6th February (all day)
8. In order to sit on the Licensing committees, members must attend all 3 sessions. Dates for the other training which is being developed, for example to cover planning and housing matters will be confirmed early in the New Year.
LGR Programme Priorities
9. The workstreams are continuing to develop the ‘must haves’, with a number expected to complete early in the New Year. They are also developing transitional plans so staff have a clear picture of what they will be doing on 1st April and to ensure the public will be able to access the services they require and know how to request help and information. 10. It is also anticipated that the bulk of the development work for the new Constitution will be completed in January so this can be approved by Members.
Communications
11. A detailed communication plan which covers the key information to be conveyed to the public and stakeholders has now been finalised and work is ongoing to produce the supporting communication material. This will ensure the work on the transitional plans mentioned above is clearly communicated to the public so they are clear on how their services will be provided and who to contact if they have any queries or information requests.
Recommendations 12. Cabinet is asked to note the contents of this report.
| Contact: Roger Goodes Tel: 0191 383 5714 |
Attachments
LGR Update v0.1.pdf