Communities Department: Restructuring response

The following was sent on behalf of members in Communities Dept on 12th January 2007.

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Dear Mr Burrows

Communities Department Restructuring

Trade union representatives have attended a number of meetings as part of the consultation process. We have actively encouraged members to send in their comments and we request that these are all taken on board.

We wish to make the additional comments:

• The lack of structures in the Planning and Sustainability (P&S) and Community Safety, Regeneration and Protection (CS, R&P) Divisions has also meant that our comments are restricted. (This is also the case for other divisions). We are told that this is because few changes other than those highlighted in the report are planned. Nevertheless, we should be able to see a proper structure for all divisions, especially given the changes that have taken place as a result of other factors, e.g. the last round of budget cuts.


• The existing structures appear to exclude the admin support/pa function for senior management (this is an omission in the structures for the rest of the department, too.)


• The impact of further cuts in the 2007/8 financial year are not reflected in the structures. The Medium-Term Financial Strategy report, which went to Cabinet on Wednesday, refers to staffing cuts in Regeneration, Emergency Planning and Trading Standards (as well as areas in other divisions). Following a request at JCNP for clarification about what this actually means, and a reminder that Regeneration had already been devastated by the last round of cuts, we have been assured that savings will be those arising from any vacancy lapses. However, at the time of writing we are waiting for further details on the impact of the proposals, which will inevitably be reflected in the structures.


• There are some staffing proposals in the P&S Division arising from restructuring, including the merger of some functions and the transfer of staff between teams. Individual groups of workers have made comments on the specifics of these proposals, so we will not repeat them here, but the overarching theme of the effect on workloads is worth highlighting. Additionally the impact of budget cuts has not been properly evaluated in many areas. Risk assessments need to be carried out and remedial action undertaken to ensure the adverse effects on the workforce of the “double-whammy” of re-structuring and budget cuts are minimised.


• Clarification is sought on the disaggregation, as we understand the budget for 16.44 posts is moving to CYP, Research and Resource. What will happen if jobs are not found in the new departments?


• Is there any indication of how many people will have to move base and to where as part of the restructuring?


• The Arts Service is currently in a review process independent of the restructuring. We are attending a meeting with David Lathrope next week and are unable to comment at this stage.


• The Trade Unions have raised their concerns that Human Resources and Health and Safety have been centralised. We have been given assurances that there is no intention to change the allocation of personnel officers at the moment. The new department has such a wide range of occupational groups that we feel certain specialisms are needed e.g. Highways.


• It is not known what impact on services and personnel future budgets will have. Buy back decisions have not been made for schools this year. It is not known what impact the proposed Lighting P.F.I. scheme could have on Highways.


• Where staffing cuts have been made and/or workload increased we request that suitable Risk Assessment be carried out to include stress.


• We would like to request a detailed breakdown of how many people are in the new structure and where they are based.


• We would also request an Equality impact on the new structure.

Jenny Hogg / Selwyn Seymour
Joint Communities Convenors
on behalf of the joint trade union stewards committee