Issue - meetings

The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services presented the Leisure and Cultural Services Proposed Restructure and explained that this report focussed on the staff who would not be joining the new leisure company. These staff would be working in shared services across Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils.  The restructure would follow similar timelines to the leisure company to ensure a smooth transition.  Should Members approve the restructure it would result in a small financial saving for both Councils.

The restructure of the remaining posts had impacted on the grades of some positions due to a change to responsibilities.  Some posts would be made redundant, though staff would have an opportunity to apply for the new posts and this would help to reduce potential redundancies.  The costs of any redundancies would be met from reserves.

During consideration of this item questions were raised about why this report had not been considered by the Shared Services Board.  Officers advised that the report did not need to be considered by Shared Services Board as the proposals did not result in any changes for Bromsgrove District Council.  The report would however bring the two Councils closer together in terms of the ways in which they delivered Leisure and Cultural services as Bromsgrove District Council commissioned many of their services.

The Chair highlighted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had pre-scrutinised the item and had supported the recommendation in the report.

Members were advised that an additional recommendation had been tabled for the Committee’s consideration.  This was endorsed.

RECOMMENDED that

1)        the proposed management structure, timeline and associated costs contained within this report are approved; and

2)        if there is a redeployment from Newco back into Leisure & Cultural Services within Redditch Borough Council within the 3 month period that employee’s continuity of service and pension rights will be protected.

[During consideration of this item Members noted that there were appendices to the report that, if discussed, necessitated the disclosure of exempt information that could reveal the identity of an individual and information relating to consultations or negotiations, including contemplated consultations or negotiations in relation to labour relations matters.  However, Members did not discuss any exempt matters during consideration of this item and there is nothing exempt in this minute].