Something more serious this week. Pappa Clip has submitted a copy of an important report. Ed
A Progress Report: The Combination Of Council Services Harbour Gap / Folk Island
1) The appointment of a new Chief Executive Combined Services Harbour Gap / Folk Island (CECSHGFI) is more or less complete, with only a few points regarding bonus entitlements, standard of car supplied / chauffeur or no chauffeur and holiday arrangements etc., left to be tidied up.
2) Some concern has been expressed regarding the high salary agreed, but both councils are generally of the opinion that that the best man possible had to be appointed to the task. It should be noted here also that the remuneration is in line with that offered for similar postings elsewhere.
3) Much the same can be said of the heads of the various departments for which the CECSHGFI is responsible. Having twice the responsibility justifies the higher reward they will now receive.
4) In agreement with the general view that the CECSHGFI must be shown to be impartial between the two authorities concerned, new offices have been acquired, more or less equidistant from the respective Council Chambers, to house the CECHGFI and of course, the various departments for which he is responsible.
These offices are rented on a temporary basis as it is anticipated that more suitable, purpose built accommodation will be required sooner rather than later.
5) In acknowledgement of the fact that many of the Council Services business consist of day-to-day and face-to-face contacts with local taxpayers as well as with the elected councillors, it is considered desirable that an Assistant Executive be retained at each of the two council offices to oversee these functions.
6) Similarly, Assistant Heads of each transferred department will remain to supervise essential skeleton staff.
7) These Assistant Executives and Assistant Heads will occupy the offices formerly belonging to the transferred Heads of Departments. Such offices being suitably downsized by the addition of partitions and the exchange to a more appropriate range of furnishings.
8) In view to the ‘scattered nature’ of future services it is considered essential to appoint Liaison Officers for each department, to effect co-ordination on a day to day basis and to oversee monthly liaison meetings which all interested parties will attend.
9) Unison have requested that in view of the general increase of responsibility, as well as the increase in journey times, that all grades be upgraded, with the automatic raising of pay levels. This is likely to be agreed.
10) Conclusion: In light of the above re-arrangements it is obvious any projected financial savings lay well into the future. In the meantime there will be a substantial increase in cost for both authorities. This is regrettable but unavoidable if we are to achieve the desired economies.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed another of Pappa Clip’s spoof articles.
