Review of priorities and senior management team restructuring

(Date of issue: Wednesday 6 May 2009)

Carlisle City Council’s Executive members took a bold step yesterday and agreed its new Transformation Programme. This will involve the City Council reviewing its current Priorities and restructuring its senior management team.

There are a number of factors which have influenced the Transformation Programme and these include the need to change priorities which have been in place for a few years and the current economic climate which both Carlisle’s residents and the Council itself are facing.

The City Council is committed to leading the city through the recovery of the economy by supporting its local communities and its local businesses.

It also has to make substantial savings in light of the recession and because of the greater efficiencies that the Government is expecting of all Councils. The savings will be made from a reduced and streamlined new senior management team and not from reducing City Council’s services.

The new priorities will focus upon:

• The Environment which will address the ‘quality of life’ issues for residents. Through community engagement and area based working and partnerships with other organisations such as health and Police, the City Council aims to build a flexible and responsive organisation that can respond quickly and efficiently to residents’ concerns.
• The Economy which includes the City Council’s activities around economic development, housing, planning and the support of Carlisle Renaissance. This is so that the City Council can respond to the economic downturn and position the authority for recovery.

Cllr Mike Mitchelson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said

 “We have identified two priority areas that will address the needs of Carlisle’s residents, communities and businesses in the current economic climate. We will also be carrying out a restructure which will place our Authority in a stronger position to face future challenges.”

Residents, staff and elected members will have an opportunity to provide feedback during a consultation which will be launched at the beginning of June.