The Local Government Association (LGA) is to commission an ‘independent external review' of its restructure plans in the wake of chief executive Joanna Killian taking ‘unexpected leave'.
Staff were told last week Killian would be taking time off ‘for personal reasons' amid the ongoing restructure, but that the consultation over the new operating model was still on track.
However, at a meeting yesterday (Wednesday) the LGA Board decided to commission a review of the restructure process ‘to date'.
In a statement the LGA said: ‘This review will take stock of the work undertaken so far and ensure that concerns raised are considered carefully and thoroughly before any further steps are taken.
‘An experienced external HR specialist has been appointed to provide independent oversight and assurance.'
It added that the ‘short, targeted review' would ‘inform next steps'.
Following Killian's sudden absence it is thought the organisation is also potentially considering putting an acting chief in place.
Questions have been raised over how much the board knew about the restructure plans before the consultation went live.
One source said: ‘The board agreed to a course of action, but, as soon as it got difficult, they backtracked.
‘It's difficult to have credible leadership if every time the going gets difficult you shift your position.'
They claimed the board would have been informed of the process in the run up to the consultation.
However, other LGA insiders suggested the scale of cuts had not been explicit.
One said there had been a ‘lot of disquiet' from the board and, while it was largely supportive of the restructure and the ‘need to save some money', members were concerned about the scale of the cuts.
The source claimed: ‘If this was happening in a council, the leader would have seen the plans… What was executed was not shared [with the board in advance].'
A third source claimed there was a ‘disconnect between what she [Killian] was planning to do and the way it was implemented'.
The reaction of trade unions, and the possibility that staff could resort to strike action, is also believed to have spooked Labour members in particular.
Further questions have been raised over the future of the LGA's improvement arm.
Former chair of the LGA's improvement and innovation board, Peter Fleming has called for the former Improvement and Development Agency – which was folded into the LGA more than a decade ago – to be spun back out.
However, it is unlikely the LGA would be financially viable alone as a membership body.
In a statement last week, the association said: ‘Our chief executive, Joanna Killian, has had to take unexpected leave for personal reasons. During this time, arrangements are in place to ensure continuity of leadership and the effective operation of the organisation.
‘The chief executive's short period of absence will not affect the planned timetable for the organisation's reorganisation, which will continue to be led by the strategic leadership team, working closely with the board and the HR and remuneration committee.'
