Archived decisions

RATIONALISING THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT - RECREATION AND HERITAGE

1. The Cabinet has reviewed the existing management arrangements relating to the Recreation and Heritage area which currently comprises the four individual departments of Libraries, Museums, Archives and Arts, Countryside and Community. The aim has been to develop a more robust arrangement common to a group of departments and a stronger and more consistent approach to corporate issues.

2. After a careful examination of possible alternative options, the Cabinet has decided to appoint a Chief Officer at Corporate Management Team level and revise service delivery arrangements for the existing principal functions while at the same time strengthening arrangements for corporate working and advice; the new structure is illustrated in Appendix 2 to this report.

3. Certain important consequential changes should be noted. The current arrangement whereby one service manager combines the responsibilities of Assistant County Planning Officer in the Planning Department with Head of Countryside in the current department of Arts, Countryside and Community will be discontinued and, instead, an independent Head of Countryside will be appointed reporting directly to the County Recreation and Heritage Officer with a brief which includes increasing marketing and income. However, the clear common themes between the two Departments are acknowledged and arrangements are being put in place to see that these benefits are retained. In addition the Cabinet has decided that the management of the River Hamble fits more appropriately within the Planning Department with the exception of any issues that affect the use of land for recreational purposes within the River Hamble area.

4. As regards financial implications, the actual first year full costs will be £79,400. This will require a budget increase for the Planning Department of £33,200 in recognition of a percentage share of the current Assistant County Planning Officer who manages the Countryside Service. The balance of £46,200 is to be found by savings within the existing service budgets of Recreation and Heritage. One-off pension costs can be accommodated in 2001/02 through a combination of turnover savings during implementation and other one-off savings. Two retirements avoid to some extent detriment costs had those persons remained in post after the restructure.

5. Mr. Yinnon Ezra, currently County Officer, Community and Cultural Services with Kent County Council has been appointed to the post of County Recreation and Heritage Officer and the other appointments will follow.

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