Issue - meetings

To receive a report regarding restructuring staff at Tier 2 in People Services. (Part 2 sheet attached)

The Board received a report regarding restructuring staff at Tier 2 in People Services.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         The Leader of the Council and Head of Paid Service, after consultation had decided to separate out the Director People Services role into two roles; Director Children’s Services (DCS) and Director Adult Services (DASS). 

·         For a trial period of 9 months the DASS responsibilities would be incorporated into a shared role hosted by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.  At the end of the trial consideration would be given as to whether to proceed with a shared DASS role or whether to seek to recruit a Director of Adult Services for Wokingham only.  Councillor Ferris questioned whether a shared role was manageable and was informed that support would be provided by the Assistant Directors and also the Chief Executive.

·         The Board considered the proposed Job Description for the Director of Children’s Services.  With regards to ‘Knowledge and Experience’ Councillor Helliar Symons suggested that ‘working successfully with elected Members’ be included.  It was agreed that this would be included in all other Tier 2 job descriptions.  ‘Experience of working in a matrix management environment, where cross-team and cross-organisation working are essential’ and ‘Experience of effectively leading a group of professional staff’ would be moved from Desirable to Essential.

·         The Board discussed the situation should a permanent appointment not be made at the end of the appointment process.

·         It had been recommended that the role of Director of Children’s Services be advertised with a salary range of £112, 695 to £120,000 with performance related pay, aligned to the other Directors.  The Board were of the view that the post was a crucial appointment and that the Council needed to be flexible so as to attract high quality candidates.  Members felt that the Council should be able to have flexibility in the case of exceptional candidates.

RESOLVED:  That Personnel Board note the proposed restructure separating out the statutory duties of Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adult Services (DASS) and:

1)         that the job description for the Director of Children’s Services be       agreed subject to amendments made at the meeting;

2)         that the Summary of Accountabilities for the shared Director of Adult           Services (DASS) be agreed;

3)         that subject to approval of the supplementary estimate, the revised salary recommendation agreed at the meeting, for the Director of            Children’s Services be agreed;

4)         that subject to approval of the supplementary estimate, the revised salary recommendation for the shared DASS be agreed.