Decision details

Report of the Chief Executive requesting agreement of changes to the senior officer structure.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Chief Executive seeking to modernise the senior officer structure and allow for changes to terms and conditions that strengthen the link between performance, delivery and members’ ability to hold their senior officers to account; and to amend annual leave entitlements as part of ongoing employee relations.

The Chief Executive outlined the contents of the report stating that since he had been in post he had been looking at where the authority was, what was needed and where it was going.  The report outlined the structure that would help to get there. He explained that the new posts would require different terms and conditions to other officers and would not be on a standard 37 hour week.  Assessment of these staff would be linked to the Cabinet and opposition leaders in order that they could have a say in how senior officers served the council. Levels of pay would not exceed levels in neighbouring authorities.  The Chief Executive also explained that he was undertaking a formal process to imbed the three days extra leave normally taken by officers during the Christmas/New Year close down period within normal leave allowances.  The offices would not be closed during the following Christmas/New Year period.

Consideration was given to whether senior officers should be part of the flexi scheme and who would undertake appraisals.

RESOLVED that

1. The Chief Executive revises the staffing structure of his most senior staff as per this report.

2. Subject to any issues raised during consultation, the Chief Executive and the three Director posts are moved to a ‘spot point’ system on a ‘whole time’ basis and that the stated 37 hour week and rights to TOIL/flexi-time are contractually removed.

3. The assessment and appraisal mechanism of the Chief Executive and the three Director posts is linked to achievement of the council’s corporate plan and that any future pay/reward element is determined (locally) by the Cabinet, having mind to the national pay offer where appropriate, and the input of opposition group leaders.

4. Pay levels of the revised posts are set in consultation with SW Councils, will not exceed their current position relative to other Devon Districts, and that decisions on any future pay increases for the Chief Executive/Director posts are reported to full council within the annual Establishment Report to ensure full transparency.

5. Revision is made to contractual annual leave allowances for all staff, subject to consultation with the union, to recognise the longstanding ‘extra’ day that has been given to staff due to the closure of offices over Christmas.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.