Contact - Andrew Smith Ext 7300 email: Andrew.j.smith@hants.gov.uk

1. Summary

1.1 Members will be aware that when the Chief Executive was appointed in December 2007 interim management arrangements were introduced in Property, Business and Regulatory Services and approval given for the Chief Executive to consider and bring forward a review of corporate and central services. It has been over 10 years (Local Government Reorganisation in 1996/7) since a review of this scale has been completed within the County Council.

1.2 A report was considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 21 July 2008 detailing the key issues associated with the review including:

· The preliminary outcomes from the consultants review of central services and efficiency completed last autumn 2007

· The future shape and structure of the Chief Executive's department

· Key areas for consideration within the review

This report can be found at Appendix 1

Recommendations

It is recommended that EHCC:

1. Endorse the action taken: and

2. Consider any relevant issues relating to terms, conditions and structures when the reviews are complete.

2. Key Issues

2.1 On appointment the Chief Executive made a number of interim arrangements in Property, Business and Regulatory Services (PBRS) and on CMT to facilitate his new role and until such time as permanent arrangements could be made. In anticipation of the review(s) and proposed restructuring of central and corporate services (including PBRS) it was anticipated that the Director of PBRS would not be replaced on a permanent basis - leaving the way open for the review and reorganisation of senior management in these functions.

2.2 Originally it had been thought that the new post of Director of Corporate services (a copy of the recent advert in the Sunday Times is attached at Appendix 2) would be appointed at the end of the review process. However, with only interim arrangements in place and the need for capacity to be developed more quickly Cabinet was advised on 23 June 2008 to proceed with the advertisement. This will allow the capacity to be brought on board and the recruitment to be completed by December 2008, the planned end of the interim management arrangements and the recruitment process for a new Director. The scale, responsibility and accountability of the role being at the level of the former Director of PBRS post which would not be replaced. Arrangements are in hand for member interviews to take place.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents, which disclose exempt or confidential information as, defined in the Act. None