Council restructure makes monitoring officer direct report to chief executive

Cheshire East Council has agreed on a new senior management structure so that its monitoring officer and section 151 officer both report directly to the chief executive.

Under the new setup, the 'Head of Audit, Risk & Assurance', 'Head of Democratic Services', and Head of Legal Services' will each report to the 'Governance, Compliance & Monitoring Officer,' who then reports to the Chief Executive.

Council documents suggest that the new structure, which was agreed during a full council meeting on Wednesday (16 September), is aimed at ensuring there is sufficient leadership capacity and skills across the council, providing greater stability, and helping break down "silos" within the organisation.

It includes the creation of other new roles, including assistant chief executive, director of digital and a number of heads of service roles, replacing several roles in the former corporate services directorate structure.

The changes reflect recommendations made in a Local Government Association peer challenge earlier this year.

"This new structure will provide stability and sustainability, supporting clearer decision-making with clear lines of accountability for the council as we transform the organisation, deliver the children's services improvement plan and the corporate peer challenge action plan. 

"The council has been operating with a number of temporary arrangements in place throughout the organisation, in senior positions, for some time. I am very grateful to those who have stepped in to support on a temporary basis and recognise that some interim arrangements will continue to be needed as we recruit to vacancies in the permanent structure.

"However, it is our intention to recruit to the new structure as soon as possible."

Adam Carey