DCC ploughs onwith shake-up

The Council is currently recruiting a Head of Environmental Health and Built Environment, who will oversee existing building control and environmental health functions, a Chief Finance Officer, a Head of Economic Development, a Head of Environmental Services and a Head of Culture, Leisure and Community Services.

The Sentinel asked the Council what will happen to the people affected by the recruitment of the new staff such as the current acting Chief Environmental Health officer, the current acting Chief Building Control officer, and the current acting City Treasurer.

A spokesperson for Derry City Council explained that the heads of division posts advertised are the next step moving forward in bringing about the change process announced last year relating to the senior management structure.

“As outlined previously, the change process has been approved by elected members and is being implemented on a phased approach in full consultation with unions and employees,” the spokesperson stated.

“Employees directly affected by the proposals are being provided with a range of options, which are currently being explored over the coming weeks,” the spokesperson continued.

No details of the options being explored were provided to the paper.

A radical overhaul of management at Derry City Council was first proposed by the former Chief Executive Valerie Watts.

In 2009 in a document entitled ‘Transforming Derry City Council’ Ms Watts suggested seven existing council divisions should be replaced by three new directorates.

A Director of Environment and Infrastructure, Director of Corporate Services and a Director of Culture, Business, Community Services, were to be created under the plan.

Ms Watts estimated the value of posts deleted (20 managers) under Transforming Derry City Council would be £800,000.

The Sentinel asked Derry City Council how far the ongoing Management Reorganisational Review differed from the structure of Transforming Derry City Council if at all.

A spokesperson stated: “The change in management structure will enable Derry City Council to be more responsive and efficient so that it is well equipped to meet the new challenges for the city and region during our City of Culture year, the implementation of the One Plan and the Review of Public Administration.”

At present a number of ‘Strategic Directors’ are “working directly with the Town Clerk in implementing and delivering strategies for the city to ensure the delivery of efficient and effective public services.”

The current Strategic Directors are City Engineer John Kelpie and Chief Building Control officer Anthony Tohill.

They are supported by ‘Interim Strategic Director’ Peter Appleton who was recruited to Derry City Council through an employment agency to fill the gap left following Oonagh McGillion’s appointment as Director of Legacy.

The Council says Londonderry Port’s outgoing Chief Finance Officer Stephen Gillespie is expected to take up a third permanent Strategic Directorship in the coming weeks.

Mr Appleton will remain in position for a temporary period.

In relation to costs, the spokesperson said it is too early in the restructuring process to determine that but said the process would be implemented in full consultation with trade unions and include arrangements for redundancy packages, review of salary grades and the final cost of the change proposals.

“All are being considered in the context of value for ratepayers with the overall aim of implementing a structure that will deliver better and more efficient public services,” the spokesperson added.