Friday 7 October

You will all be aware that cabinet met yesterday (Thursday 6 October) to discuss the proposal for a radical senior management restructure which underlines our commitment to protecting vital services for our communities.

We considered feedback submitted during the consultation period, before agreeing the new model which deletes the post of chief executive and reduces the number of corporate directors from four to three making year-on-year savings of £500,000.

This decision is a reflection of the strong position that the council is in, and the strategic plan that it has, setting out how we will manage the challenges we face over the next few years. Our key priority is to continue to deliver front line services and minimise reducing resource in these services. The focus will be less on strategy and more on delivery. The decision is a commitment to deliver what is right for the people of Wiltshire.

The implementation of this decision and its implications for particular individuals will be considered separately by the Senior Officer’s Employment Sub-Committee and the Officer Appointments Committee. As part of the agreed process the chief executive and corporate directors will have the option of applying for voluntary redundancy. Any recommendation concerning the dismissal of the chief executive on the grounds of redundancy is subject to confirmation by Council.

It is anticipated that the new leadership team will be in place in November.
Our decision today demonstrates that we will not avoid making tough decisions if we believe that they are right for our communities. We will now focus on delivering our business plan and what is needed for the people of Wiltshire.

We will always do what we believe is right for Wiltshire’s communities and if it means being a radical local authority which leads the way then that is what we will be.
The cabinet also agreed to recommend the Council to agree that the service director human resources will be designated the head of paid service. Other necessary changes to the constitution will be considered by Council on 8 November.

Jane