A year of change for the public sector
Aug 21 2009 By Adrian Pearson, The Journal
IN the midst of the recession, the public sector knows it is not immune to the downturn that has affected every part of the economy.
Restructuring and savings were buzz words in the public sector before the economy collapsed, but have been hailed as debt-balancing priorities after several high-cost rescue packages were launched.
With one eye on the next 12 months, agency bosses and council chiefs are considering workforce changes which may yet see even their roles scrapped.
The first casualties have been the leaders of the district authorities in Northumberland and Durham.
The two new unitary authorities have brought in new talent, Steve Stewart as chief executive in Northumberland and George Garlick in Durham, while at the same time letting hundreds of members of staff go in cost-saving moves.
Another big change comes from One North East, where former assistant chief executive Pat Ritchie left to head up the North East branch of the Homes and Communities Agency. While Ms Ritchie’s move was unconnected to any restructuring, her former development agency colleagues know there could be more people leaving ONE if the political winds shift.
Conservative leader David Cameron has come the closest of the political leaders to suggest a "bonfire of the quangos" and his party has singled out the RDAs as the most likely to go.
As the Tories consider the changes needed to balance the books they, and the Labour party, are also looking to create an increasingly de-centralised local government landscape.
While much of this has so far been cosmetic, there is now a genuine opportunity to hand over more powers to city regions, possibly in exchange for elected mayors and streamlined decision-making bodies.
Already, officials at councils such as Newcastle are preparing for their new duty to monitor and help guide the local economy, with larger planning and spending decisions now more likely to be taken on a city region basis.
The new regional strategic landscape brought about by the Sub National Review has also seen Melanie Laws and the Association of North East Councils take a much bigger role in facilitating a regional leaders’ board.
Tyne and Wear councils have added to the public sector payroll recently with the appointment of Lord Charles Falconer as chairman of the Newcastle and Gateshead city development and Jim McIntyre as his chief executive.
Barry Rowland has been another winner in the public sector, winning the chief executive position on Newcastle city council left vacant by his former boss Ian Stratford.
South Tyneside council chief executive Irene Lucas also said goodbye to the North East.
Ms Lucas announced in June she had accepted the chance to move to Whitehall in the post of director general for local government and regeneration.
With all political parties signaling a new era of strengthened local democracy, she may yet have a greater role to play in the region’s future.
