124.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 10 March 2004 be confirmed.
125.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No interests were declared at this stage.
126.
ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES ARISING FROM
THE CREATION OF A CHILDREN’S SERVICES DIRECTORATE
The Executive at its meeting on 17 December 2003 had
decided to proceed with the establishment of a Strategic Director of Children’s
Services with effect from 1 April 2004. A report was now presented to the
Executive of the implications of creating a Children’s Services
Directorate and on the structural changes that would be required as
a consequence, including necessary changes at portfolio holder and at select
committee level.
Members were informed that the politically proportionate
Appointments Panel had unanimously appointed David Pettitt to the post of
Strategic Director of Children’s Services pending the creation of that post by
decision of the Executive or by statute.
Members discussed a number of issues raised in the report including
the placement of Museums and Libraries, the proposed relocation of the Best
Value Unit and the change of name to the Corporate Services Directorate.
The close relationship and connection between Tourism and
Leisure Services was debated in detail. During the debate an amendment was
proposed and seconded that
(i)
in order to reflect the recommendation of the Select Committee
that Leisure Services should be linked with Tourism in any future restructuring
and
(ii)
to secure the benefits of bringing Leisure Services together with
Tourism sooner rather than later that Appendix A be amended to place Leisure
Services in the Environment Services Directorate
There was also an amendment to locate Sport and Arts in the
Children’s Services Directorate together with Libraries and Museums as set out
in the report.
Members also considered the view that given the strategic
nature and significance of the changes highlighted in the report, that Full
Council should be afforded the opportunity to debate the issues. Legal advice was received that with the
exception of the changes to portfolio holder and select committee arrangements
that were proposed to take effect from the Annual Council meeting, the proposed
changes were an Executive function and responsibility which therefore could not
be delegated.
RESOLVED :
(i)
THAT the Council proceed to create a Directorate for Children’s Services
by April 2005 in accordance with the recommendations set out in the report
(ii)
THAT the other consequential changes to the Council’s management
structure as shown in Appendix A (as amended) attached to the report be
approved and be implemented with effect from 1 April 2004 or within a
reasonable period thereafter, the amendments being that Leisure Services be
moved into the Environment Services Directorate and that Sports and Arts be
moved into the new Children’s Services Directorate
(iii)
THAT the Monitoring Officer be given Delegated Authority to amend the
existing schemes of delegations as necessary insofar as this is required to
achieve the new Children’s Services Directorate
(iv)
THAT with effect from the Annual Meeting the changes in portfolio holder
and Select Committee arrangements as set out in the report be effected
(v)
THAT the above recommendations will not be implemented until they have
been endorsed by Full Council
.
CHAIRMAN