Jobs go in council restructure

A major restructure at Stratford District Council will see nine staff, including senior managers, invited to re-apply for their jobs.

Chief executive Sven Hanne said the council wanted to strengthen customer service, better align similar parts of its operation and adjust to changes in technology, resilience, best practice and legislation.

‘‘We want to future-proof the organisation by creating an element of backup to critical positions that are currently solecharge.’’

Twelve positions were being disestablished, but three of these were already vacant, Hanne said.

Two new fulltime roles were being established and some of the activities that had been contracted out would be brought back inhouse, he said.

The council has several big capital projects underway, including a new subdivision, a new bike park and a revamp of its swimming pool complex.

Fourteen jobs were currently being advertised on the council’s website.

The council’s overall budget would be unaffected as the increase in cost would be off-set by cost reductions, Hanne said.

Most of the changes would be complete by February.

Stratford is the ninth smallest district in the country, covering a total of 2170 square kilometres, and having a population of just 9500.

Its council has an annual turnover of $20 million and it currently employs 60 staff, 38 of whom are fulltime.

It has an annual staffing budget of just over $3m.

‘‘We want to future-proof the organisation by creating an element of backup to critical positions’’

Sven Hanne