Changes proposed for council’s structure
Published on 18 October 2019
Snowy Valleys Council is set to consider changes to the organisational structure in order to better align resourcing with community priorities and achieve ongoing reductions in employee costs.
The report, to be presented at the October Council meeting next week by General Manager Matthew Hyde, seeks Council endorsement to change executive positions and reporting lines in order to support the implementation of a sustainable, service-based organisation structure.
“The review started in May 2019 and has had a high level of staff and Union engagement and participation throughout the process,” said Mr Hyde.
“The current structure was adopted by the Administrator prior to the election of Council in 2017 and after two years of operation we are able to make more informed judgements about how best to achieve effective and efficient delivery of services to our community.”
Council’s Resourcing Strategy, adopted in June 2019, identified the need to improve financial sustainability and reduce employee costs.
“The proposed structure reflects the goals of the Resourcing Strategy as well as committing to the One SVC direction and servicing our communities better,” Mr Hyde continued. “This includes ensuring as a major employer in our community we offer a range of career opportunities and pathways.”
The structure revisions allow for a commitment to introduce up to 13 apprentice, cadet or traineeship positions over a two year period.
The review is funded under the NSW Government’s New Council Implementation Fund.
The four current senior staff positions are General Manager, Director Infrastructure and Assets, Director Internal Services and Director Community Strategy & Development.
The proposed three new senior staff positions are Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director Corporate & Community, and Executive Director Infrastructure.
The Chief Executive Officer will be supported by a Corporate Chief of Staff and a Chief Financial Officer as non-senior staff positions.
Under the Local Government Act only senior staff positions are determined by Council and appointed under a prescribed Standard Contract of Employment.
Mr Hyde says he has sought an experienced recruitment agent to assist with the recruitment of a number of senior positions in the structure and the selection of the Senior Executive staff will include consultation with the Councillors prior to the appointments.
The report recommends the amended senior staff structure is implemented via a transition arrangement from 4 November 2019.
“This is an organisational executive structure that is appropriate to the performance of Council’s responsibilities,” said Mr Hyde. “It will be a structure that we can afford and one that is able to meet the service, asset and regulatory needs of the organisation.”
An ordinary meeting of council will take place at 2pm on Thursday 24 October 2019 at Council Chambers, Tumut. The agenda and business papers will be available on council’s website from Friday 18 October.