The report to Cabinet of 13 February, 2012 together with Cabinet minute 309 are attached for the Committee’s consideration.

A revised report, which supersedes the report to Cabinet of 13 February, on the Adult Social Services’ Department Senior Management Structure, is attached to the supplementary agenda.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the proposed enhancement of the Senior Management capacity in the structure of the Department of Adult Social Services.

Cabinet, at its meeting on 13 February 2012 (minute 309 refers) had approved the revised senior management structure for the Department of Adult Social Services. On working through the specific details this Committee, at its meeting on 28 February 2012 (minute 68 refers), had agreed to the immediate and urgent establishment of the Head of Safeguarding and Care Governance post.

Having considered the structure further it was now recommended that in order to give appropriate support to the Director at a senior level the post of Deputy Director of Adult Social Services should be established. It was also recommended that the post of Head of Finance and Performance should be deleted and replaced with the post of Head of Performance, Business Planning and Finance. The postholder would retain the oversight of the departmental budget and the professional link with the Finance department would be maintained through the Principal Manager (Resources). The additional cost to the Council would be funded from the efficiency investment budget, as agreed by Cabinet on 13 February, 2012 (minute 309 refers).

In order to assist the Director during this period of change in the leadership of DASS, on 30 January 2012 the Employment and Appointments Committee had approved the extension of the fixed term contract for the current post holder of the Head of Finance and Performance for up to six months or until 30 June 2012, with the provision to end the contract earlier, depending on the recruitment process. This resource was still required until the two posts were established and filled to support the Director in the transition.

The Leader of the Conservative Group expressed some nervousness about appointing Deputy Directors in view of the impending review of the Council’s management structure. He also commented upon the fact that payscales for the Heads of Service posts had previously been agreed incorporating an element to reflect the position of deputising for the Director.

The Director, in response, stated that the position of Deputy Director was not a new post as there were a number across the Council and that he had consistently, since reviewing his Department’s senior management structure, reported the need for this post. It was his professional opinion that the post was needed to support him so that he could fulfil his role of strategic oversight of the Department.

The Leader of the Council referred to the considerable improvement agenda that the Director and his department faced and he was very sympathetic given that the Director had originally brought this proposal forward in February of this year.

Resolved – That within the Department of Adult Social Services:

(1)  The post of Deputy Director of Adult Social Services is established.

(2)  The post of Head of Performance, Business Planning and Finance is established.

(3)  The extension of the fixed term contract for the current post holder of the Head of Finance and Performance for up to six months or until 30 December 2012, with the provision to end the contract earlier, depending on the recruitment process is approved.

(4)  When the recruitment process is complete for the Deputy Director and Head of Performance, Business Planning and Finance, the post of Head of Finance and Performance will be deleted.