Delegation from Cabinet
Cabinet Members' Items - Report of the Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism Portfolio Holder - A.3 - Resources to increase project delivery and progress Levelling Up Partnership
July 2024
(b) subject to (a) above, and the allocation of £1.000m of funding set out within item A.9 elsewhere on the agenda, a Project Delivery Unit is agreed to be established for an initial period of 24 months from the date of the first officer starting in role;
(e) notes the Chief Executive will undertake the activities required to recruit the necessary capacity within the Project Delivery Unit, as Head of Paid Service (being non-executive functions);
Cabinet Members' Items - Report of the Corporate Finance

To appoint a Head of the Project Delivery Unit via the East of England Local Government Association ‘Talent Bank’ in order to complete the tasks as set out in the proposal for the work, and to pay for the costs of up to a maximum of £190,250 from the Project Delivery Unit budget.

Recruitment was the main alternative option, which was attempted, but was not successful. Officers considered going out to recruitment again. However, given the time-limited nature and the scale of the funding from Government, and the breadth of projects to be delivered, the risk of a further failed recruitment was considered too high and it was decided to approach EELGA. The option of approaching a range of private organisations was also considered, but the benefit of the public sector experience and quality assurance of EELGA’S Talent Bank was deemed beneficial.