The report of the Chief Executive is now attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which sought approval for strengthening the senior management capacity within the Growth and Development Directorate to deliver the Council's plans.

At present the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) was supported by three SS4 roles –  Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing; Director of Housing & Residential Growth; and Director of Development & Corporate Estates. The latter two roles were vacant but there was an Interim Director of Housing & Residential Growth in place.  A review of senior management capacity had been undertaken to ensure that the Council had suitable arrangements for Manchester to provide the necessary conditions to grow the city’s employment base, invest in quality of life issues and deliver the significant numbers of new homes needed to support the expansion of the city’s economy.  Of growing priority and strategic importance was the aim of inclusive growth as set out in the Council’s Developing a more inclusive economy - Our Manchester Industrial Strategy to put people at the centre of growth; aligning to Greater Manchester and the national Local Industrial Strategy to promote and drive inclusive growth in the conurbation core; support existing and future sectors, increase productivity but crucially support more residents into better quality jobs.

As a result of this, the remit of the Head of Work and Skills had significantly increased in providing strategic leadership for Our Manchester Industrial Strategy, Digital City and development of the delivery plans.  To reflect this wider remit with extra duties and responsibilities, including delivery of the city’s digital strategy, it was proposed to redesignate the post of Head of Work and Skills as Director of Inclusive Economy. Job evaluation had been conducted in line with the Council’s procedures and policies which indicates that the post should be regraded to SS4.

It was also proposed to bring greater alignment between the delivery of city centre regeneration with the policy aspects of local planning and infrastructure to provide more strategic capacity and focus on the delivery of critical and growing agendas for the Council.  Within the Growth and Development Directorate the main responsibility for these agendas sat with the current Head of City Centre Growth and Regeneration. The role had evolved to include more than the traditional ‘city centre’ and had oversight of the connected aspects of regeneration including influencing regionally and nationally.  To reflect the greater emphasis on these agendas and extra duties and responsibilities within this remit, it was proposed to redesignate the post of Head of City Centre Growth and Regeneration as Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure. Job evaluation had been conducted in line with the Council’s procedures and policies which indicated that the post should be regraded to SS4.

It was explained that these proposals were designated as regrades as the current post holders had been carrying out the identified additional work. The Council's senior manager job evaluation process had been applied in reviewing the proposed roles and grades. Appropriate policies had been considered in developing these proposals and the posts align to the Council’s senior management structure.

The comments of the Trade Union on these proposals had been circulated to the members of the committee and they were noted.

Decisions

The Committee:-

1.         Recommends Council approve the redesignation of the post of Head of Work and Skills as Director of Inclusive Economy and recommend that Council approves a regrade from SS3 (£78,715 - £87,217) to SS4 (£95,953 - £105,940)

2.         Recommends Council approve the redesignation of the post of Head of City Centre Growth and Regeneration as Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure and recommend that Council approves the grade as SS4 (£95,953 - £105,940).

3.         Note that line management of the post of Head of Local Planning and Infrastructure will transfer to proposed Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure with appropriate resources and will be a member of the Directorate Management Team.