YEAR OF THE ‘SUPERCHIEF’

Published: 10 September, 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY, PETER GRUNER and RÓISÍN GADELRAB

A UNIQUE arrangement revealed this week would make Islington and Camden the first large-scale authorities to share a chief executive, a move which could radically alter the way local affairs in north London are conducted.

With a deal handcuffing the two Labour-controlled Town Halls together, Moira Gibb, the current Camden chief executive, has been made firm favourite to be installed as the first ‘superchief’ of both boroughs.

The plan, described by Labour bosses as “groundbreaking” – no other large authorities have attempted such a union – will kick in when John Foster, Islington’s chief executive, steps down from the post next May.

On his departure, the idea is for Ms Gibb to slide into a new role where she will be in charge of Camden and Islington, an area with a population of almost half a million. 

The plans, announced on Wednesday, are designed to cut management costs and pave the way for closer working between the two councils.

So-called back-office work – shorthand for administrative jobs – will certainly be targeted for potential savings. External contracts for work across both boroughs are likely to be advertised.

This week, politicians on both sides of the borough boundary, who will maintain separate groups and leaders, were actively discouraging the idea that the measure amounts to a stepping stone towards a full-blown merger. 

Sceptics have reminded senior councillors that Ken Livingstone, when he was London Mayor, was talked out of a plan that would have turned London’s 32 councils into five “super-boroughs”.

A joint statement said Ms Gibb was ready to “take the helm” of both boroughs, although it is unclear whether she will need to face a wider competitive process to land what would be one of the most coveted jobs in local government. The fine detail of the proposals will be discussed at meetings in the coming months, Labour members admitted.

Islington Council Labour leader Councillor Catherine West said on Wednesday: “Today we have taken the first step towards a closer relationship between our boroughs. In the face of government cuts, it’s more important than ever that we save money.  

“By working together, we have a combined purchasing power and more clout when it comes to getting better value for money in service delivery. Camden and Islington are well placed to take this bold step – we have already worked together successfully and I believe that a shared management team will bring a fresh approach.”

It is unclear whether the reference to “management team” means that other roles – such as heads of departments – will also be shared.

Political parties at both Town Halls agree that some sharing was almost inevitable in the straitened economic climate but there was still concern over Labour’s handling of the arrangements.

There was little public discussion of how a deal might be framed before this week’s announcement, effectively the result of private discussions held over two months. Labour says the two boroughs make  “a good fit” because of a long-shared border and similar interests in the regeneration of King’s Cross.

Islington Lib Dem group leader Councillor Terry Stacy said the idea had been copied from his party’s spending suggestions.

“I wrote to Catherine West four months ago suggesting this,” he said. “Now they are going ahead with our ideas. I think it is a good idea. Moira Gibb has a good track record and it can work for both boroughs. This wouldn’t be a merger. Camden and Islington would still be two separate boroughs.”

His party’s finance spokesman, Councillor John Gilbert, said:  “We’ve looked all along at sharing posts. I would hope that it would lead to a closer examination of other opportunities for sharing work between the two boroughs.”

Holloway Labour councillor Barry Edwards said: “We could end up with one chief executive and two deputies for both boroughs on very high salaries. That would be a danger that hopefully will be avoided but the biggest complication will be making sure the two boroughs can be run by the same people and still retain their own identities. These are all things being discussed in the talks.”

Away from the Town Hall, there were further words of caution. Dr Brian Potter, Islington tenants’ and leaseholders’ leader, said: “How is one chief executive going to deal with the different housing set-ups in two boroughs? In Islington, we have Homes for Islington, an arms-length management organisation, where in Camden housing is still being run directly by the council. I’ve spoken to my opposite number in Camden and they are also worried. It’s going to be very complicated.”

Gary Heather, president of Islington Trades Union Council, said there was concern about whether the arrangement would be replicated at lower stages in the employment structure – leading to job losses. 

“I’m not against the council being efficient but not if it means losing essential staff,” he added. “When I was first briefed about it I asked if there was an intention to double up other offices.”

The plans will be discussed at separate council meetings on either side of the boundary before Christmas.