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Council and democracy 

Council structure

Political structure

The council has a Cabinet and Leader management structure. The leader of the council is Ann Ducker.  The council is Conservative controlled (See political structure and decision making section)

Cabinet is responsible for carrying out the executive functions of the council within the approved budget and policy framework. 

Council Management

David Buckle, Chief Executive
The chief executive is David Buckle

Under the chief executive there is currently one assistant chief executive and two strategic directors. They have no direct operational responsibility for services, but each has a portfolio of a number of services that they oversee.  There are eight heads of service that have significant operational autonomy.

The management structure is as follows:

Sue Reid, Assistant Chief Executive

With responsibility for:

  • Trevor Hill, Head of Human Resources
  • Assistant Chief Executive's team, which includes Communications, Partnerships, Grants and Policy

Matt Prosser, Strategic Director

With responsibility for:

  • Clare Kingston, Head of Environmental Services
  • William Jacobs, Head of Finance
  • Chris Tyson, Head of Leisure and Economic Development

Anna Robinson, Strategic Director

With responsibility for:

  • Graham Waters, Head of Housing
  • Andrew Down, Head of Business and Information Systems
  • Margaret Reed, Head of Legal and Democratic Services
  • Adrian Duffield, Head of Planning and Building Control

The staff

The Council employs around 260 staff.  This is a very low number for a district council, particularly taking into account the size and population of the district.  The number reflects the extent to which the council has externalised functions, with over 50 per cent of its revenue budget supporting payments to contractors for delivery of services.

Turnover amongst staff is low at a little above 10 per cent per annum.  Absence levels are very low.  Salary levels are competitive and the council is not suffering any widespread difficulty in recruiting new staff.  Problems tend to arise in particular professional disciplines and are common throughout the local area.  Currently, there is a national shortage of qualified planning officers, and the council has a number of vacant posts in this area. 

Further information

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