VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Special meeting held on 9th February, 2017.
Present: Councillor Stuart Egan (Mayor); Councillors Julie Aviet, Antony Bennett, Richard Bertin, Jonathan Bird, Bronwen Brooks, Lis Burnett, Geoff Cox, Claire Curtis, Pamela Drake, John Drysdale, Christopher Franks, Eric Hacker, Howard Hamilton, Val Hartrey, Nic Hodges, Jeff James, Gwyn John, Fred Johnson, Dr. Ian Johnson, Maureen Kelly Owen, Peter King, Kevin Mahoney, Anne Moore, Neil Moore, Andrew Parker, Bob Penrose, Audrey Preston, Rhona Probert, Adam Riley, Gwyn Roberts, John Thomas, Ray Thomas, Rhodri Traherne, Steffan Wiliam, Margaret Wilkinson, Christopher Williams, Clive Williams, Edward Williams and Mark Wilson.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Janice Birch, Rhiannon Birch, Kate Edmunds, Christopher Elmore, Keith Hatton, Hunter Jarvie and Anthony Powell.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
No declarations were received.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT RESTRUCTURE (SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE) (LEADER/CABINET MEMBER FOR HOUSING, SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH) -
Cabinet on 6th February, 2017 approved changes to the senior management structure within the Social Services Directorate and the commencement of a recruitment process for the post of Director of Social Services.
The Director of Social Services had indicated his intention to retire during 2017 to enable a top down review of the Social Services Directorate and to facilitate effective succession planning arrangements.
The current senior management structure within the Directorate had been in place for a number of years, comprising the statutory role of Director of Social Services and three functional divisions. A copy of the existing structure was attached at Appendix 1 to the report to Cabinet.
A copy of the suggested new structure chart that set out the detail of the proposed changes was attached at Appendix 2 to the report to Cabinet. A summary of the rationale and detail of the changes was set out within the report.
At the Cabinet meeting, the Leader had highlighted the letter from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (attached at Appendix 3 to the report), which approved the proposal for a reduction to the salary of the Director of Social Services which would put the post on a pay scale on a parity with other Directors of the Council.
At the Council Meeting, the Leader reminded Members that the only element requiring consideration by Full Council related to the proposed grading of the post of Director of Social Services. He also confirmed that the current Director had indicated that he would stay in post until a replacement had been identified.
Councillor Dr. Ian Johnson wished to place on record his appreciation of the work undertaken by the current Director, both at a local, and national, level. In response to a specific question from Councillor Dr. Johnson, the Leader confirmed that (as alluded to in paragraph 36 of the report to Cabinet) a further report to Cabinet would only be necessary should there be substantive changes arising following the consultation process on the overall structure within the Directorate
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the proposed grading of the post of Director of Social Services (as set out in paragraphs 24-30 of the report to Cabinet on 6th February, 2017) be approved.
(2) T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute No. C3451, 6th February, 2017) as set out in Section 14.14 of the Council’s Constitution, in order to enable consideration of the matter by the Council on 9th February, 2017, be noted.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To ensure compliance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) Regulations 2014 and to provide for parity of pay scales amongst Directors.
(2) To enable the matter to be considered by Council.