City council restructure may lead to job cuts

Jun 18 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool Town Hall

LIVERPOOL City Council is to restructure its top level of management it emerged last night – in a move that could see redundancies.

The council’s executive management team, made up of chief executive Colin Hilton, John Kelly (regeneration), Phil Halsall (finance and legal services), Stuart Smith (children’s services), and Tony Hunter (community services) will be assigned new roles.

Last night, a spokesman said the major review was the “next logical step” following council leader Warren Bradley’s shake-up of the ruling executive board – which is made up of senior councillors.

The council would not confirm the review might result in redundancies, but said the aim was to improve team work at a “reduced cost”.

“The proposals look to create an improved way of working which will concentrate on meeting the big challenges facing the city and delivering the council’s key priorities.

“We are at the start of formal consultations about the changes in which the chief executive’s proposals are being considered by the Executive Management Team and trades unions,” he added.

In an unrelated development, Mr Hunter will be departing to become chief executive of North East Lincolnshire Council after being head-hunted for the position.

Mr Hunter, 54, has been at the city council since 2003, and has overseen an improvement of services.

In 2006, the portfolio was upgraded from ‘adequate’ to ‘good with promising prospects’ (two stars) by government inspectors CSCI (Commission for Social Care Inspection).

Mr Hunter said: “I have had a fabulous five years in Liverpool and have found it extremely rewarding.

“The support from officers, elected members and partner organisations during my time here has been superb.

“I look back on my time in Liverpool with fondness andsorry to be leaving.

“However, the new position I have been offered is too good an opportunity to turn down, and allow me to more time with my family during the week.”