Agenda item

The Chief Operating Officer presented the report which sought permission to commence consultation (with employees / trade unions) on proposed reductions to the workforce which would potentially result in redundancy, or reorganisation within the Adults and Communities Delivery Unit. The impact of the proposal was explained to the Committee.  

The Director of Human Resources and the Adults and Communities Director, together with the Community and Well-being Assistant Director were in attendance to answer the Committee’s questions.

The Committee discussed the medium term financial strategy, together with the revenue budget proposals plan in light of the recent comprehensive spending review (Government’s Autumn 2015 Statement). Officers explained that owing to the existing significant budget pressure within the directorate, the variance from the forecasted figures was not expected to be such as to negate the underlying reasons for the proposed reorganisation of staff.

The Committee highlighted the importance of the prevention work undertaken by the Prevention and Well-being team and questioned whether mainstreaming the work of the service would marginalise its effectiveness. Officers advised that mainstreaming the team’s activity would incorporate its value to frontline practice and was part of the next stage of service implementation. Officers further explained how the operation of a new assessment hub model, together with a drive to increase the skills mix across the service and the efficiencies created through use of a new IT system would help to mitigate reductions in the establishment. 

The Committee noted that, if agreed, the consultation would begin imminently and its findings would be reported to a future meeting.    

The Chairman moved a motion to agree recommendations 1 to 3 set out in the report, which was duly seconded. Voting was recorded as follows:

·         Votes cast in favour of the motion: 4

·         Votes cast against the motion: 3

·         Abstentions: 0

The motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the General Functions Committee:

1.    Agrees the impact on performance, staff and equalities as set out in section 5 of the report.

2.    Agrees that the Director for Human Resources commence consultation with employees and trade unions in accordance with the requirements for statutory consultation and collective bargaining where there are changes proposed to terms and conditions potential impacts on individual roles or groups of staff.

3.      Requests the Chief Operating Officer, together with the Director of Human Resources, to report back to the Committee at the conclusion of consultation and prior to implementation of the proposed restructure and/or changes to terms and conditions of employment.