Official Information Request - Restructure

Sent: Friday, 27 October 2023 2:41 pm
Subject: LGOIMA request - restructure

I refer to your LGOIMA request of 18 October 2023 and respond below as per your email:

• The change proposal presented to the executive team in July.
  As per the information provided to you on 12 September 2023 the change was a move from six DCEs, to three Group Managers and two Executive Directors as well as the Director – People & Organisational Development – reporting directly to the CE
  Previous structure
  DCE, Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions (Stavros Michael)
  DCE, District Development (Jean-Paul Gaston)
  DCE, Organisational Enablement (Thomas Collé)
  DCE, Community Wellbeing (Anaru Pewhairangi)
  DCE, District Leadership and Democracy (Oonagh Hopkins)
  DCE, Te Arawa Partnerships (Gina Rangi)
  New structure
  Group Manager, Infrastructure and Environment (Stavros Michael)
  Group Manager, Community and District Development (Jean-Paul Gaston)
  Group Manager, Corporate Services (Thomas Collé)
  Executive Director, Corporate Planning and Governance (Oonagh Hopkins)
  Manahautū, Te Arawa Partnerships (Gina Rangi)
  Director, People and Organisational Development (Clint Brickhill)
• Feedback from the following consultation period (and who this involved).
  Consultation was with the affected officers as above. Feedback is confidential to the officers and is withheld under Privacy Principle 11 and section 7(f) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
• The financial impact of the restructure (including difference to the total operational cost to the council, any salary changes or payments associated with role changes or disestablishment).
• What specific changes impacted this total and the dollar amount of each change.
  No changes at this stage to operational cost, salary changes or payments associated with role changes.
  Regarding any payments associated with disestablished roles, the Ombudsman Guide to Privacy, available online, makes it clear that where the disclosure of information would intrude on a person’s privacy more than it would benefit the public interest, the information should be withheld. Examples of such intrusion are, by affecting their dignity or their mental or emotional wellbeing, by damaging their reputation, or by exposing them to unwanted contact or attention. Council withholds information on payments associated with disestablished roles as per Privacy Principle 11 and section 7(2)(a) of LGOIMA.
• What communication between the executive team and elected members and the wider council informing them of the restructure.
  The DCEs were provided written advice on the proposed new structure of the Executive by the Chief Executive in July, following which they were invited to provide feedback. The decision on the final structure was communicated via email by the Chief Executive to all staff and elected members in August.
• Any feedback from staff or elected members following the restructure.
  Changes in tier 3 and below were reporting line changes only. No consultation with general staff or elected members was necessary.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response/decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards