MPA restructuring

Report: 10
Date: 24 September 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

On 10 September 2009 members attended a workshop to consider the proposal for the restructuring of the MPA. Members were also advised on the process and timetable for finalising the new structure. The purpose of this paper is to advise members on the process for finalising the restructuring proposals, prior to notification to staff.

A. Recommendation

That

1. members are asked to note the update on the MPA restructuring; and
2. agree that the final proposals of the new structure be circulated to all members and subsequently endorsed by the Chairs of the MPA main committees and the Chair of Human Resources and Remuneration Sub- Committee at the BMG meeting of 25 September 2009, prior to a final decision by the MPA Chief Executive.

B. Supporting information

1. In April 2009 the MPA agreed Met Forward, which sets out the vision for the Authority for the next three years. In order that the Authority can deliver against this plan, it needs to ensure it has the right capacity and capability and is fit for purpose. The reasons for the MPA restructuring proposals are: first, to equip the Authority with the right capacity and capability to deliver Met Forward; secondly, to respond to member concerns over adequacy of support; thirdly, to respond to the findings from the race and faith inquiry; fourthly, to reduce costs in the longer term; and finally, to move the internal culture of the MPA to be more proactive and customer focused.

2. At the MPA meeting on 23 July 2009, members were briefed on the proposals for a reconfigured MPA, as they were to be presented to staff that afternoon. The formal consultation process for those staff directly affected by the proposals began on 27 July 2009.

3. As soon as the proposals were announced, workshops for managers were arranged to ensure managers were briefed fully and were aware of their obligations to staff. SMT has attended team meetings, there have been regular meetings with trade union representatives (weekly) and fortnightly ‘all staff’ meetings have been held. The MPA vice chair attended one of the ‘all staff’ meetings and key partners and stakeholders have been written to by the Chief Executive. The MPA intranet has been configured to ensure all aspect of the MPA restructuring are easily accessible to staff; it is updated with all key documents and briefings.

4. The views of all MPA members were sought at the start of the consultation period; this was supplemented by a member workshop on 10 September 2009. Members expressed their views on the proposals currently presented and sought assurances on a number of points.

5. Members were advised on the process going forward. In particular they were briefed on the critical path in terms of sign off of proposals, voluntary redundancy, assimilation and selection into the new structure. Members agreed it was imperative that the timescales were met in order that staff were aware of the personal implications and that they were not disadvantaged by the change in Cabinet Office rules that are to come into effect on 31 December 2009.

Next Steps

6. The formal consultation ends on 18 September 2009. It is intended that final proposals will be circulated to members in advance of the outcome being communicated to staff formally on 30 September 2009. It is proposed that formal endorsement by the Authority is made at BMG on 25 September by the Chairs of the MPA Committees and the Chair of MPA HR and Remuneration Committee prior to a final decision by the MPA Chief Executive.

C. Race and equality impact

The restructuring process is underpinned by an Equality Impact Assessment although the database which informed the assessment is incomplete. Nonetheless, in taking forward the proposals, the SMT are fully aware of the need to address equalities issues and are in dialogue with union representatives.

D. Financial implications

The completed financial case will be presented as part of the finalised proposals

E. Legal implications

Not given

F. Background papers

• None

G. Contact details

Report author(s): Jane Harwood

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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