During a series of engagement sessions with directly affected colleagues, we have explained why we are undertaking the project, how colleagues will be centralised during the first phase, and when service redesign will take place. We have shared our operating principles for the first phase, which include maintaining our current operations with no changes to the support provided by colleagues transferring on 1 April 2025.
Over 800 colleagues, from a range of business support roles, will be moving into Corporate Services and Transformation from 1 April 2025. Where possible, and particularly where colleagues are moving over as a team, we have tried to keep line managers the same. For a small number of colleagues this was not possible and they will have a new line manager from 1 April 2025.
Each of the roles that are being centralised was considered in partnership with departmental senior leadership teams before a decision was made. The roles are predominantly business services roles, but do include performance management, project management, customer services, complaints and digital roles.
To oversee the continuing development of centralised support, we have recruited a new interim Assistant Director of Business Services, and I’d like to congratulate Gemma Bains on her appointment to that role. Gemma will be responsible for identifying opportunities to make improvements and efficiencies, and ensuring departments consistently receive high quality, professional, support services.
We recognise that the business services job family encompasses a wide range of specialised expertise and knowledge. Bringing these colleagues together into one, structured team will offer benefits including enhanced career and development opportunities, and greater recognition of this service providing support across the council.
When colleagues move into centralised teams, we will keep disruption to a minimum by ensuring that their day-to-day activities and responsibilities remain the same in the first instance. Although they will be line managed within Corporate Services and Transformation, their day-to-day activity will continue to be managed within the department that they support.
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome new colleagues into Corporate Services and Transformation. Post-centralisation, we will continue to support colleagues and managers in a transition period throughout April.