Purpose

This report seeks approval to redesignate a
currently vacant Scrutiny and Partnership Officer post (Band L) in
the Scrutiny and Partnership team to a career-graded Scrutiny and
Partnership Support Officer post (Band H to K).
 
This proposed change will support the delivery
of the workforce sufficiency plan for the service as well as
potentially contributing to the Council’s wider workforce
sufficiency strategy and graduate development
programme.  The proposed change will
also deliver savings which will contribute to the Council achieving
a balanced budget in 2024-2025.

Decision

That the redesignation of the vacant Scrutiny
and Partnership Officer post (Band L) to a Scrutiny and Partnership
Support Officer post (Band H to K) be approved.

Alternative options considered

Not redesignating post and recruiting at Band
L – This option was considered and rejected on the grounds
that it would not contribute to the service’s workforce
sufficiency plan or savings requirements.
 
Not redesignating post and not recruiting at
Band L – This option was considered and rejected on the
grounds that the team would not be able to maintain delivery of its
services at the required level without recruitment to a position
that would maintain staffing levels. 
Furthermore, a failure to act on the team’s longer term
workforce sufficiency needs would also present a risk that would
still need to be mitigated.