The report of the Chief Executive is enclosed

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which set out proposals to build senior capacity within the Strategic Development Directorate. It was explained that the proposal would provide the senior leadership and management capacity to support extra technical capacity to address the ambitious growth agenda for the city.

The Chief Executive introduced the report, highlighting the proposal that the directorate be renamed ‘Growth and Development’ to reflect the addition of Planning, Licensing and Building Control and the Work and Skills Service functions into the Directorate.

With regard to Planning, Licensing and Building Control, two Strategic Lead roles were proposed with the aim of developing a robust succession strategy. It was proposed the at the existing role of Planning Development and Special Projects Manager (SS2 Special Grade) be redesignated to Deputy Director of Planning within the existing salary range (SS2) in recognition of the strategic work of the planning service in securing new development, strengthening the platform for attracting investment to deliver economic growth and the aims of the residential growth strategy.

It was also proposed that the post of Head of Planning, Building Control, & Licensing (currently SS3) be redesignated as the Director of Planning, Building Control, & Licensing with a proposed grade of SS4 to support the Strategic Director in taking responsibility for a range of corporate policy agendas, including the leadership of the Council’s climate change agendas.

A second Deputy Director of Planning role on the same grade (SS2) was also proposed to provide additional leadership capacity to support the Director with responsibility for the Area Planning Teams, Planning Compliance and Technical Support. The complexity of development management had increased and the need to drive out risk in the process was essential.

With regard to Housing and Residential Growth, the Committee was invited to note that the need to significantly increase the capacity of the Housing and Residential Growth Service. As part of the budget process a provisional £1.2m annual draw down from the Regeneration Reserve had been approved.

An additional 12 posts at ranging from Grade 6 to Grade 12 were proposed to develop the provision of Affordable Housing, Supported Housing, Homeless Accommodation and drive the implementation of plans for the Zero Carbon, Northern Gateway, Eastern Gateway, and work with Matrix Homes.

A re-designation and regrade the existing Head of Housing (SS2) to Head of Housing Services (SS3) was proposed to take a strengthened overall lead on affordable housing delivery. This re-designation was in recognition of significantly increased responsibility around the homelessness agenda along with Supported Housing and the Private Rented Strategy, fire remediation and delivering the Council's Zero Carbon ambition.

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, however they had requested that further consultation with the Trade Unions and staff be undertaken concerning the proposal to regrade the post of Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager to explore this in greater detail. Therefore a delegation to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources on this matter was instead requested.

Decisions

1.            To approve the change of name of the Directorate from ‘Strategic Development’ to ‘Growth and Development’.

2.            To recommend that the Council approves the regrade of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing at Senior Grade SS4 (£95,953 - £105,940).

3.            To approve the re-designation of the role of Planning Development and Special Projects Manager to Deputy Director of Planning within the existing Senior Grade SS2 (£68,526 - £74,175).

4.            To approve the creation of a new role of Deputy Director of Planning within Senior Grade SS2 (£68,526 - £74,175).

5.            To approve the re-designation and regrade of the role of Head of Housing SS2 (£68,526 - £74,175) to Head of Housing Services within Senior Grade SS3 (£78,715 - £87,217).

6.            To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources to regrade the post of Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager from Grade 12 to SS1 (60,857 - £65,865), subject to the outcome of further consultation with the Trade Unions and staff involved.

7.         To endorse the establishment of two Commercial Lawyer roles in the Corporate Core at Grade 12 and approve market rates supplements of £15,326 for these two roles, giving a total remuneration of £70,000 for each role.