Westmorland and Furness Council announced in April that it would be making cuts in its senior leadership department.
It undertook a consultation to ‘reshape and reduce’ the team and at the time forecasted a saving of £1.75m yearly.
Now, it has been revealed that this includes axing two director roles.
The previous directors were: Paul Robinson for enabler services, David Hodgkinson for resources (S151), Angela Jones for thriving places, Steph Cordon for thriving communities, Cath Whalley for adult social care, Milorad Vasic for children’s services, and Jane Scatterwood and Ed Tallis for health and social care integration.
Westmorland and Furness Council said that the roles have been cut down to just four new strategic director roles.
One of the new roles is the strategic director of communities, place and economy, which has been filled by Angela Jones.
Ms Jones was appointed to the role at the staffing committee on May 15 behind closed doors.
Published minutes from that meeting have now revealed.
In her new role she will be responsible for skills, housing, environment, regulatory services and community services, local empowerment, climate action, place‑shaping and inclusive economic growth.
The council described the role as providing ‘leadership and strategic direction to create the conditions for people, communities and places’ across the council area to ‘thrive’.
She will also liaise with Cumbria Combined Authority.
Speaking on her appointment, council chief executive Miranda Cannon said: “Angela brings a wealth of experience and leadership, and I know she will play a key role in delivering our ambitions as we move forward with the new structure.”
The council has not yet revealed who has been appointed to the other three roles though a report on the implementation of the senior leadership team will be heard in private at the staffing committee on June 17.
The council provided a breakdown of the other three strategic director roles to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The strategic director of resources/S151 officer will lead on finance, people, procurement, revenues & benefits, pensions and corporate assets/fleet.
The council adds that, as its Section 151 officer, the holder would provide ‘authoritative advice’ to cabinet, members and senior officers, ‘ensuring strong financial governance, transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds’.
A Section 151 officer is in place at all councils to ensure responsible financial practice.
The strategic director of children’s services will be responsible for schools and the services related to them and for other services relating to children, young people and their families.
The holder will work with headteachers, school governors and academy sponsors and principals to ‘support the drive for high educational standards for all children and young people’.
The council described this role as ‘driving the strategic development, transformation and delivery of services to children, young people and their families’.
Finally, the strategic director of adult social care will be in charge of those services, ‘driving the strategic development, transformation and delivery’ of social care.
The council said this holder would deliver adult social care services ‘within an integrated health and social care system’ and ensure the department works safely.
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