Decision details

The Executive Leader presented the report of the Director of Business, Development and Growth that presented a proposal for restructuring the Business, Development and Growth Directorate.

The directorate wide review follows on from the review of senior management in 2016 and subsequent appointment of a new Director of Business, Development and Growth in 2017.

The Business, Development and Growth directorate is key to delivering the Council’s priority of a strong local economy and the aim of the restructure was to develop a fit for purpose structure which will have the right skills and capacity to deliver existing services and drive forward economic growth through ambitious projects such as the digital health park and bringing forward employment sites.

The proposed restructure would also increase capacity in planning policy and planning obligations and adoptions and will create a number of fixed term project posts to drive forwards capital projects such as Digital Health, Primrose Gardens, Market Walk Extension and other income generating employment sites.

Decision:

1.    Approval granted of the proposed structure for consultation.

2.    Approval granted for the Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform be given delegated authority for approving the final structure following the period of formal consultation, subject to there being no significant changes to what was proposed in the report.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

To ensure the structure of the directorate is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the business in the future.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To continue with the existing structure is an option, however it has been rejected as the current structure is not meeting the current needs of the service. This is partly due to the number of vacant posts, but also the additional work created by a large number of large capital projects which are consuming a significant amount of staff time. Additionally continuing with the existing structure would not achieve the financial savings which are required to meet the MTFS savings target.