Chief Executive

The current Chief Executive is Will Tuckley, who was appointed in March 2008.

Mr Tuckley is the senior officer who leads and takes responsibility for the work of the paid staff of the Council, who provide services for the local authority on a day to day basis. The role of Chief Executive is a full time appointment.

Introduction

Post holders are selected on merit, against objective criteria, following public advertisement and a rigorous selection process. They are appointed by the whole Council.

By law, senior Council staff are not allowed to participate in any party political activity and are expected to advise and assist all elected members irrespective of their political affiliation.

As head of paid service, Mr Tuckley works closely with elected members to deliver the following:

Leadership: to ensure strong and visible leadership and direction, encouraging and enabling managers to motivate and inspire their teams
Strategic direction: ensuring all staff understand and adhere to the strategic aims of the organisation and follow the direction set by elected members
Policy advice: acting as the principal policy adviser to elected members of the Council to lead the development of workable strategies which will deliver the political objectives set
Partnerships: leading and developing strong partnerships across the local community to achieve improved outcomes and better public services for local people
Operational management: overseeing financial and performance management, risk management, people management and change management within the council.

Job role

The Chief Executive's job description outlines Mr Tuckley's key responsibilities as follows:

• To advise and assist members in formulating appropriate strategies and plans which ensure the delivery of effective, efficient and affordable modern services for the Borough and its residents.
• To oversee the preparation of the Council's Performance Plan.
• To chair the Joint Board of the Local Strategic Partnership and to develop the Local Strategic Partnership and wider partnership network.
• To ensure that the Council's aims and objectives are understood throughout the organisation and that policy decisions are correctly reflected through the Community Strategy, Performance Plan, the business planning process, and other strategies and plans.
• To lead and direct the work of the Management Board, to provide guidance and advice on major or sensitive issues and maintain an organisational culture which promotes high standards of public service.
• To direct and develop the Council's business planning process in order to ensure that members' objectives and spending plans are actioned.
• To assist members by providing relevant and timely advice and information to allow members to be fully apprised of issues relating to the Council's services so as to support the formulation of policy aims and objectives within available resources.

Working arrangements

Mr Tuckley is expected to work such hours as are necessary for the effective performance of his duties. This routinely involves three evenings a week in addition to the standard Monday to Friday business week. Occasional weekend working is required. Mr Tuckley is 'on call' at all other times, particularly to cover emergency planning requirements. Requirement to work beyond the standard Monday to Friday business week is reflected in the salary and no additional payments are made for work in excess of these hours.

Mr Tuckley is entitled to 32 days paid leave each year.

Remuneration

Mr Tuckley is paid an annual salary scale that starts on £161,490 and ends at £185,397 with potential to earn a non-consolidated one off bonus payment of 5% (based on salary point four of the salary scale). Performance related pay awards for Management Board are determined by a formal Member Panel. Details of the appraisal/performance related pay scheme for senior staff is available as a link from the menu on the right hand side.

Mr Tuckley's current salary is £185,397 per annum (fourth point of salary scale). Progression along the salary scale has been assessed through annual appraisal and depends on the successful delivery of objectives set by members.

In some years Mr Tuckley receives election fees and charges at rates agreed by the Government for fulfilling the role of Returning Officer whenever general, local or European elections occur. These fees and charges are fully reimbursable from HM treasury and thus do not constitute a cost to the Council. The role of Returning Officer is independent of the Council and the fee recognises that Mr Tuckley is personally liable for the running of elections. Mr Tuckley received election fees and charges of £8,174 in 2011.

A survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers (June 2009) found that when combined, Council Chief Executives' salary, pension and bonuses were, on average, 51% less than their private sector equivalents.

Benefits

In addition to his salary, Mr Tuckley receives a Choices allowance of £7,077 which may be taken as either a lump sum or as a contribution towards a lease car and a Hospitality and Expenses Allowance of £3,027 which is paid for costs incurred in connection with the Chief Executive's role.

Pension

The Local Government Pension Scheme is a contributory scheme; this means that the employee contributes to the scheme from his or her own salary. Employees contribute 5.5% - 7.5% of their salaries. Employers' contributions to the LGPS vary depending upon how much is needed to ensure benefits under the Scheme are properly funded, and are set independently. The Council currently makes an employer's contribution of 20.6% into the scheme.
The rules governing the pension scheme are contained in regulations made by Parliament. 

Mr Tuckley pays 7.5% of his salary into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Jan 2012