Following the sudden and unexpected death of Dave Hill, there is an urgent need to review and reallocate certain functions, both statutory and non-statutory, within the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture directorate, which in turn has implications for other senior roles within the council.  The council’s People Performance & Development Committee has endorsed a recommendation to appoint, on a temporary basis, the Chief Executive to the statutory post of Director of Children’s Services whilst permanent recruitment to the Executive Director Children, Families & Learning role is undertaken.  Alongside and as a result, the Chief Executive has decided that it is necessary to replace on a temporary basis some senior appointments with new/revised roles to ensure that the council is able to fulfil its statutory requirements and strategic objectives, particularly in light of the opportunities afforded through public service reform and the ongoing period of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Government has recently announced its intention to publish a Recovery and Devolution White Paper in the autumn, setting out its plans for the devolution of powers, freedoms and flexibilities alongside intentions to increase the number of unitary and combined authorities and elected Mayors. Cabinet are asked to note the preparations in hand to respond to the Government’s anticipated Recovery and Devolution White Paper, due to be published in autumn 2020.