By Marianne Craig
Reporter

Derry City Council’s senior management team is set to be ‘virtually halved’ under a new restructuring plan.
The plan was revealed at a confidential meeting with local councillors on Tuesday where a document called ‘Transforming Derry City Council’ was discussed.
It is thought Town Clerk and Chief Executive Valerie Watts’ revamp will see up to seven of the 17 senior team lose their posts.
A council source told the Derry News: “Under these plans the Senior Management team will be virtually halved, but those leaving early will be rewarded with redundancy packages and will still have access to their Council pension.
“The 17 members will be cut down to 10 at a saving of around £80,000 per annum in wages.”
The identity of those affected is not yet known but the source said front line jobs would not be affected.
“There is no desire to change front line services, the changes will be made in the upper echelons.
“The move is designed to improve accountability and stop the buck getting passed between officers, but obviously the staff concerned aren’t overly happy.”
The plan has received cross-party support on the council.
Mrs Watts yesterday said: “The proposed restructuring will enable Council to be more responsive, improve its services and strengthen its resources to meet the challenges ahead for the city and the region.
“Local government must be dynamic and flexible and our challenge is to provide successful, effective, accountable and innovative public services for all”.
“The transformation report arises from key change drivers that ensure services are based around the needs of the user and are more focused and personalised.
“The changes will also drive quality and innovation throughout the organisation. The report will be considered by trade unions, with a timetable and process for delivery to be agreed over the coming weeks.”
She concluded: “The fundamental change is the reconfiguration of services into three directorates to bring improvements through efficiencies, joining up services and moving resources to the frontline services.”