The report of the Chief Executive is enclosed

In introducing this report and the two that followed, the Chief Executive explained that the changes and proposals in these reports stemmed directly from the decisions made by the Committee in January 2019 (Minute PE/19/02). At that time, when examining the Senior Management Capacity Review, the Committee had noted that further reports were to be brought forward in the coming months setting out both structural changes to assure the arrangements being approved then, and to strengthen succession and development planning for senior leaders. The Chief Executive’s introduction explained how the suite of reports before the Committee were, collectively, considered to be the best way to achieve those two objectives.

The Committee therefore considered the first of the reports of the Chief Executive which set out proposals to build senior capacity within the Corporate Core.

It was explained that the proposals had been developed to realign capacity and reflect the growing volume and complexity of work within Revenues and Benefits. That was linked in part to the Welfare Reform Agenda and for data governance where the Council has a significant amount of work to do to maximise the use of its available data. In addition, following the redesignation and regrade of the role of Head of Revenue and Benefits, Shared Service Centre and Customer Contact Services to Director of Customer Services and a job evaluation exercise had been undertaken the outcome of which stated that the role was comparable with other SS1 grades. across the organisation

A redesignation of the role Head of Data and Information in the Performance, Research and Intelligence (PRI) Service as Data and Intelligence Specialist was also proposed. This was described as specialist role, with a technical focus on improving the use of data analytics and statistical modelling in order to strengthen the evidence base and improve service planning.

The Committee was asked to approve the establishment of two Commercial Lawyer roles at G12 to support the growth of development work in Strategic Development and approve a market rate supplement of £15,326 for each post to enable recruitment of specialist internal capacity reducing reliance on external advice.

In addition, the application of a market rate supplement of £20,000 was proposed for the Deputy City Treasurer to reflect the additional strategic responsibilities taken on within existing grade and ensure the retention of the current post holder in light of local market forces. This would therefore increase the salary to £125,940.

The Interim Head of HROD informed the Committee that following discussion of the proposals with the Trade Unions, they were broadly satisfied with the proposals.

Decisions

1.    To approve the redesignation of the role Head of Data and Information Governance (£65,000) in the Performance, Research and Intelligence (PRI) Service as Data and Intelligence Specialist. The existing pay level is a spot salary up to £65,000 which has not been aligned to the senior management pay and grading structure and it was agreed to bring it in line by designating it as an SS1 post (£60,857 – £65,865).

2.    To agree the re-grading and redesignation of two posts; Corporate Assessments Manager and Corporate Revenues Manager in Revenue and Benefits Service from Grade 12 to Technical Lead (Revenues and Benefits) at Grade SS1 (£60,857 – £65,865).

3.    To note the establishment by the Chief Executive of two Commercial Lawyer roles at Grade 12 to support the growth of development work in Strategic Development and approve a market rate supplement of £15,326 for each post to enable recruitment of specialist internal capacity reducing reliance on external advice.

4.    To recommend to Council that a market rate supplement of £20,000 be made to the Deputy City Treasurer to reflect the additional responsibilities taken on within existing grade and ensure the retention of the current post holder in light of local market forces. This had the effect of increasing the salary to £125,940.