Top council officer to go in merger of departments
9:16am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News
A SENIOR officer is leaving Bolton Council , as plans were unveiled to merge two of its biggest departments.
John Rutherford, Director of Health and Adult Social Care, is to leave the council at the end of the month as part of what the council said were plans to meet its £35.6 million spending cuts target.
Mr Rutherford has worked for the council since 2003 and earns £130,000 a year.
His department — the authority’s biggest with an annual budget of £95 million — could now be merged with the third biggest department, children’s services, as part of efforts to slash spending by £500,000.
Margaret Asquith, Director of Children’s Services, will take over responsibility for both departments on an interim basis ahead of a formal merger proposed for later this year. In an email to staff, council chief executive Sean Harriss said: “The council is in a difficult financial position and John’s decision will help us as we seek to deliver a further £500,000-worth of savings from the council’s top tier of management, the cost of which has already halved since 2009.
“Further detail about how the new department will operate on an interim basis will be set out by Margaret Asquith over the next few weeks.”
Mr Rutherford said: “I’ve appreciated my time in Bolton and would offer my best wishes to all who have worked with me.
Comments(5)
underwater
says...
9:01pm Sat 22 Sep 12
dressit
says...
5:03pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Both myself and my husband work to provide a stable home for our children, as you point out they are our respncibility.
Now guess what......we have involvement with Children's Services.........The
y provide respite to our family for our daughter who is severly disabled, (by the way we didnt decided to have a disabled child.it happened) without this support you with your obviously hard earned taxes (I am presuming you are a working person) would be forking out a hell of a lot more money supporting a single parents of 2 (myself) on benefits.
Childrens Services DO NOT just proved support to families with problems they provide support to stable hard working families, do not judge what you have no knowledge about.
Oh by the way..........I work for Children's Services............
heskey12
says...
9:41am Tue 25 Sep 12
Bendix wrote:maybe a few more could go and put the money in the places and homes where it is needed the most!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How much of a pay off is he getting? How much is being added to his pension? And how soon will he be re-employed as a " consultant "?
19bex82
says...
6:45pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Lets not forget that it isn't just children's services, it is also Adult services which, may I add, you may one day need yourself one day!
Another unwanted response from another fellow taxpayer who seems angry at the wrong people!
John Rutherford is leaving... The service is still there... Moron!!
Bendix says...
10:07am Sat 22 Sep 12