Agenda item

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To meet with the requirements set out in the Constitution (Council Procedure Rules).

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply].

Cabinet received a Motion on the ‘Senior Management Structure’ that fell within the remit of the Executive and which had been referred from Council.

In response to a question from a non-voting non-Executive Member on the views of the Executive Members on the Motion, the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Communications, Performance and Resources stated that it would be inappropriate to comment on or discuss the Motion which was the subject of an ongoing consultation that had yet to expire.  In addition, it was important to note that some of the Members serving on the Executive would have to make decisions on the outcome of the consultation.  The Motion had, therefore, not been discussed at Council and it was inappropriate for Cabinet Members to give views as the decision could be perceived to have been pre-determined.  Those Councillors would need to consider their position in any decision-making.

The same non-voting non-Executive Member enquired about the process following the consultation period and informed Cabinet that his Group would be submitting their comments.  He also asked how the administration had arrived at the consultation, about the process going forward, how the decision would be made and by who, as Council was awaiting the outcome.  The decision would have ramifications for all staff and the administration ought to consider the message that was being sent to loyal and hardworking staff.  Another non-voting non-Executive Member asked about the timetable and whether the decision would be taken by the Executive or Council.  The Leader of the Council replied that, following the consultation period, a view would be taken on this matter.  She added that the Executive needed to take responsibility and make a decision in this regard.

A non-voting non-Executive Member asked whether given the fact that the decision to be taken was significant, and that the local elections were to take place soon, would it not be appropriate for democratically elected Councillors to determine a way forward on this matter.  It was important that Council was allowed to make a decision on this matter so that democracy could prevail.

The Leader of the Council replied that should it be decided to delete the post, any incoming administration in May 2014 could reverse that decision.  It would be for the incoming administration to decide whether it wanted to invest a large sum of money in a single individual.  The Conservative administration wanted to invest in and maintain frontline services whilst providing best value to Harrow residents.  No decision had yet been made to delete any posts but that it was appropriate that her administration examined ways to save money.  She concluded by stating that the administration was in the business of making effective decisions in a timely fashion.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To meet with the requirements set out in the Constitution (Council Procedure Rules).

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply].