Issue - meetings

To receive a report regarding the proposal for a shared Director of Adult Services with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

RECOMMENDATION:  That Council is recommended to appoint jointly with RBWM a Director to discharge the statutory duties of the Director of Adult Social Services under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 conditional on a similar approval by RBWM passed at Employment Panel on the 16 July 2018 and subject to the approval of a supplementary estimate by Executive on 26 July, effective from 1 August 2018.

The Council considered a report regarding a proposal to appoint a shared Director of Adult Services with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, set out at Agenda pages 33 to 36.

It was proposed by Laura Blumenthal and seconded by Richard Dolinski that the recommendation be agreed.

Laura Blumenthal commented that splitting the Director of People Services role into separate Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adult Services roles made sense, as both covered very important areas to residents and brought very different challenges.   Having a committed, focused individual for each directorate would bring the opportunity for an expert in each area, driving up standards for residents.  A shared Director of Adult Services was a new and innovative approach.  The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead had a similar demographic and challenges to Wokingham Borough.  Laura Blumenthal went on to emphasise that the trial period was 9 months in order to gauge what impact the arrangement had had, after which the arrangement would be reviewed. 

Lindsay Ferris commented that he supported the proposal and had been part of the Personnel Board that had met with the proposed candidate.  He emphasised that a review of arrangements following the trail was important and that Wokingham needed to be sure that the arrangements were fair and equal.

In response to a question from Gary Cowan, Julian McGhee Sumner clarified that financial figures had been included for Years 2 and 3 to highlight the possible picture going forward should the arrangement be continued after the 9 month trial. 

Richard Dolinski commented that maintaining the status quo was not an option and that the proposal provided an opportunity for good practice and service growth.

Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED:  That Council appoint jointly with RBWM a Director to discharge the statutory duties of the Director of Adult Social Services under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 conditional on a similar approval by RBWM passed at Employment Panel on the 16 July 2018 and subject to the approval of a supplementary estimate by Executive on 26 July, effective from 1 August 2018.