27.03.17
Bournemouth council to vote on making CEO role redundant
The chief executive position at Bournemouth Borough Council could be made redundant later this week, as the authority will vote on the matter at a full council meeting this Friday.
The decision to no longer have a CEO comes as the council prepares to replace Dorset’s nine councils with two unitary authorities by April 2019, a decision that was strongly backed by residents of the region in December last year.
With the councils being reorganised into two unitary authorities, the practical need for the borough to have a CEO has reduced considerably as responsibilities will be taken on by a unitary CEO by 2019.
On top of this, Bournemouth council has said it expects to make savings of around £164,000 per annum from making the job, held by Tony Williams, redundant – something that will also be seen as a factor in its decision.
Should the vote be successfully passed, the change will take effect immediately, as responsibilities like Paid Service will be taken on by the deputy CEO on an interim basis.
Williams said he would be “very sad” to leave Bournemouth council at such an exciting time, but insisted he was proud of the work he had completed in the role.
“I know that the achievements I have made since joining as executive director for environment & economy and more recently as chief executive have done much to enhance the town’s reputation and make people living here proud of where they live,” he said.
“I have been fortunate enough to have worked with many committed, talented and inspiring people whilst at Bournemouth – people within the council itself, in partner agencies and of course the community & voluntary sector.
“I would like to thank them for making this proud Welshman so welcome.”
Leader of the council Cllr John Beesley also expressed his gratitude for Williams’ dedication to the job and the good work he had done for the council.
“I cannot thank Tony enough on behalf of the council for his strong insight and leadership during his time at Bournemouth council,” he stated.
Cllr Beesley added that the CEO had been “instrumental” in bringing redevelopment and regeneration to Bournemouth town centre through the Bournemouth Development Company with Morgan Sindall.
“Tony has also worked closely with me, other councillors and officers to ensure a balanced budget each year in times of great financial challenge, with the services that local people value maintained on the frontline,” he explained. “I am confident that his contributions will extend far into the future and we wish him all the very best.”
The vote will be cast this Friday 31 March, and the paper for consideration can be found online.
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