Council / Council restructure hoped to save millions over coming years
A RESTRUCTURE of the top layer of management within Shetland Islands Council (SIC) should save more than £3 million over the next five years.
The structure sees the SIC retain five directorates, but some of the responsibilities under their remit will change.
SIC chief executive Maggie Sandison has been leading the restructure, and she confirmed that more phases are due to follow, including on executive managers.
With some managers retiring, the SIC has been looking at where it can combine some roles instead of filling vacancies.
“We’ve looked at the potential for changes to just streamline some of the arrangements that we have, and make the organisation more effective,” Sandison said.
The moves already made should result in annual savings of around £600,000, which will be recurring, but the chief executive described this as a “starting figure” in the restructure process.
Last week the SIC confirmed that current infrastructure director John Smith would be entering phased retirement.
Some of the areas under the infrastructure banner are now being brought under a new directorate called ‘place’, such as roads, transport and ports and harbours.
Also in the new place directorate will be housing and economic development.
Some other strands of work which formerly were under infrastructure, such as waste services and fleet, have been brought under a directorate now called people and resources.
Other responsibilities under this will include finance, human resources and climate change.
There will be a governance directorate, including legal and committee services, digital and technology and procurement.
Children’s services is mainly changing just by name, with the new title of education and children’s services, while community health and social care is also staying the same.
Sandison said the recruitment process for directors of governance and people and resources should start soon.
The SIC is also looking to recruit a director of place in September.
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