Scottish Borders Council to cut senior staff by half

The number of directors is to be reduced by 50 per cent (there are currently four) and the number of chief officers by almost 40 per cent, with the likelihood of departments being merged.

Th aim of the restructure is to ensure SBC reshapes itself to meet the significant challenges facing public services in the future.

Tracey Logan, chief executive, explained: “Against a backdrop of reducing public sector funding and an increased focus on partnership working, our aim is to deliver better, more responsive and integrated local services to the people of the Scottish Borders.

“To enable that to happen we need to reshape ourselves to meet these challenges and at the same time focus our resources on the delivery of frontline services.”

Councillors have been convinced that the changes will result in a slimmer, more focused and fit for purpose senior leadership team which will deliver over £100,000 of direct savings. They are also expecting it to allow the reinvestment of over £600,000 into operational services.

After councillors approved the changes last week Councillor David Parker, leader of Scottish Borders Council, stated: “I am confident that these changes will enable Scottish Borders Council to respond positively and effectively to the new challenges facing local government and I am pleased to see our senior officers leading that change. As well as freeing up more resources the new structure will enable senior officers to deliver the changes needed to services and I am therefore pleased to support it.”