The Council has previously highlighted the importance of developing the capacity to deliver projects at significant scale, in particular on its capital schemes. At their July meeting, Cabinet are being presented with proposals on the establishment of a new Project Management Office.
A temporary externally funded post in the Economic Growth/Regeneration Service will support the delivery of levelling up work over the next 12 – 18 months. The post is titled the Projects Manager (Levelling Up) and is set at Grade 10.
The Council is set to receive very substantial capital funding in this financial year, in addition to the funding it has already received through the Levelling Up Fund. As a result, there are constraints on the Council’s capacity to deliver the increased number of projects, in addition to business as usual. However, the funding for delivery is short term and so the capacity needs to also be short term.
There is an opportunity to help fill this capacity through Public Practice, a well-respected not for profit company limited by guarantee. The organisation aims to support the public sector build and develop their place making leadership capabilities. They undertake recruitment drives twice a year placing architects, planners and other professionals into councils across the country. The Council has already successfully recruited one temporary project manager (a qualified architect with significant regeneration experience) through Public Practice on a one-year fixed term contract.
This decision will enter into a service level agreement with Public Practice, which will initiate a recruitment process. The cost will be £6,000 and will be funded from Economic Growth revenue budgets.. If in turn the Council decide to recruit, the match funding required for this role will be determined and agreed through a separate decision.