More change for crisis-hit social services

Jan 30 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

A MAJOR shake-up of social services in the Vale of Glamorgan is to be carried out by the new man in charge of the crisis-hit department.

The reorganisation of the management structure of the Vale’s social services department is designed to turn around a £5m financial deficit.

The changes, proposed by the new director of social services, Phillip Evans, will be the second major upheaval in the running of social services in the Vale in a year.

In January last year, the former community services department was scrapped and two chief officers sacked. It was replaced by the social services directorate. This followed the ousting of the council’s former Conservative Cabinet, led by Councillor Jeff James, following a vote of no confidence.

Since then, various changes have been made in a bid to reduce the £5m budget deficit. But this latest move is the biggest yet.

In his report, to the Labour-led coalition Cabinet, Mr Evans said: “The council is seeking to provide a clear and consistent direction for social services. It has in place an ambitious, long-term plan designed to produce fundamental change.

“The council has been making progress toward setting in place building blocks for effective services but it still has some way to go.”

Mr Evans proposes to create an new management structure, including three heads of service covering adult services, business management and children and young people, reporting directly to him.

The changes would save £104,680.