COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (098) issued by The Government News Network
on 7 May 2008
Local Government
Minister John Healey today published the framework - regulations
and guidance - which the Government intends to put in place for
the transfer and appointment of staff to the new unitary councils.
The framework, centred on the Government's commitment to TUPE
protection for staff transferring to the new unitaries, also makes
clear that councils should take full advantage of their new start
to bring in fresh blood to their senior management teams so that
the best people are in place to lead and manage the new flagship councils.
The creation of nine new unitary councils in Bedfordshire,
Cheshire, Cornwall, Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire, and
Wiltshire from 1 April 2009, will reduce the number of councils in
those areas by 35, providing opportunities for stronger local
strategic leadership, innovative arrangements for empowering
communities, and an overhaul of local services. Councils expect
that annual savings of over £100m will be available to improve
front line services or to keep down council tax bills.
John Healey MP said:
"Staff are essential to the success of councils and
well-being of local communities. Our regulations will ensure that
employees will be protected under TUPE, and we expect all nine new
councils to deal constructively with the trade unions and to
ensure staff are kept involved and informed as detailed plans are developed."
"The new streamlined councils are a big shift in the way
local government and services are delivered in these areas and
local people will have wholly different expectations of their new
unitary councils.
"New senior officers with fresh skills, experiences and new
perspectives will be vital in creating a successful future for
these flagship councils. That is why our Regulations also require
the chief executive of each new unitary council must be recruited
by open competition by April 2010 at the latest, and why we expect
the majority of top posts also to be subject to open competition
over a period.
"Transition to the new councils will be a challenging and
unsettling time for all concerned, but I want to see staff given
as much certainty and support as possible. I am confident from
the reports I receive that all of the affected councils are
committed to working together in the best interests of their area."
Notes to Editor
A copy of the written ministerial statement will be found on the
parliament website: http://www.parliament.uk/publications/index.cfm
Draft Staffing Regulations and Guidance are being circulated
today to trade unions, Joint Implementation Teams and the Local
Government Employers, for a two-week period for final comments.
The Regulations will provide that:
* all employees of councils which will cease to exist on 1 April
2009 who are in post immediately prior to that date will become
employees of the new unitary councils;
* those employees will transfer to the new councils on terms and
conditions no less favourable than those that applied under their
previous employer; and,
* the post of chief executive (head of paid service) of the new
unitary council must be recruited by means of open competition.
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom