2 jobs...1 man? Latest budget saving initiative from local government

Is sharing a Chief Executive a good idea?

On 20^th October 2011 London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) announced that they will be sharing a Chief Executive, Derek Myers. Mr Myers has been Chief Executive of RBKC since 2000 and takes on the dual role when the current Chief Executive of LBHF, Geoff Alltimes retires.

The reason for the decision to share a Chief Executive is the need to make substantial cuts and it is rumoured this decision will save £200,000pa. The decision raises a number of concerns, the major one being how Mr Myers intends to split his time, but if he manages to succeed there is no doubt other councils will give serious consideration to doing the same. A number of councils already share certain services, for example Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council share a number of services. They are also seriously considering combining with Wycombe District Council to share Legal Services.

Another option is for councils to consider outsourcing more of their work. Groups of Local Authorities are likely to have significant bargaining power with the private sector if they club together rather than looking for their own suppliers. A printing Company or Office Stationer (for example) may be prepared to negotiate a substantial reduction in their prices if they are supplying in bulk to a number of councils rather than just one. The large supermarkets have already shown how this can work and although we may not approve of their methods (in dealing with suppliers) local authorities, if they wish to make substantial savings, may have to follow suit.

 Local Authorities throughout the country are being asked to find considerable savings and sharing services or even Chief Executives may be the way forward. The concern must be whether the service they provide their constituents will be affected. If the decision to share a Chief Executive by LBHF and RBKC is a success the cynical amongst us may ask what Mr Myers and Mr Alltimes have been doing with 50% of their time now the two jobs are going to be filled by only one man.

For more information on Nockolds legal services for Local Government and the public sector, please contact Ivan Moody on 01279 712532.

Ivan Moody (profile) Thursday 20th October 2011
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Nockolds LLP & Berns Brett NEST pension seminar

On 13 October Nockolds’ Gary Smith presented a series of seminars on the upcoming pensions changes with our co-hosts for the event BBI Berns Brett.

Berns’ Brett’s pensions guru Steve Bee entertained over 60 guests over 3 sessions with details of the upcoming pensions changes and the impact this will have on all employers from 2012 onwards.  Gary followed this up with an analysis of the impact these pension changes will have on the employment relationship focussing on how the Employment Contract will need to be changed and various suggestions of how employers can use this forced change to their Contracts to best protect their businesses.

Due to the huge success of this event we will be holding a re-run of this seminar in the new year for all those that could not attend.  If you are interested in attending or would like any specific advice in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact Gary on 01279 712502 or any other member of our Employment Team.

Gary Smith (profile) Thursday 20th October 2011
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Camberley Caper for CLIC Sargent - Sunday Morning Choices

Camberley Caper for CLIC Sargent - Following on from the success and enjoyment of the Isabel Hospice Ride earlier this year, Nockolds LLP Solicitors and Price Bailey have decided yet again to forego a relaxing Sunday for an extreme day of biking, running and kayaking!

The Camberley Caper, Trail Plus event, supported CLIC Sargent a charity specialising in the provision of support for children and young people with cancer and their families. Not only do they provide clinical care but the essential care and support for families as well as specialist holidays, play specialists and days out.

Sarah Miles, Commercial Solicitor at Nockolds explained,
 "Anyone with children knows how worrying it can be when they are knocked out with a bad cold, but to imagine how you must feel if your children suffer with cancer is beyond comprehension. It is all too easy to carry on in your own life and forget about the problems that so many families go through."

Tony Pennison, Director at Price Bailey Chartered Accountants said after the event:
“It feels amazing to have completed such a gruelling challenge! We all did so well and it feels like a double win in terms of your own personal achievement and supporting a charity.”

The teams have been busy fundraising over the last few weeks but are still open to kind donations, to support the team please contact marketing@nockolds.co.uk or sponsor them at https://www.justgiving.com/Nockolds-Solicitors0

James Brunton (profile) Pete Dodd (profile) Peter King (profile) Sarah Miles (profile) Monday 17th October 2011
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Legal 500 success

Following the release of the 2011 edition of the Legal 500 on 24 September, Nockolds are delighted and proud to announce that for the 5th consecutive year the Firm has been included as a "Leading Firm" of solicitors in the UK. Yet again, the Firm is considered to be a ‘Recommended’ Firm in 7 categories:

Commercial Property
Agriculture
Employment
Corporate Commercial
Family
Tax, trusts & probate
Accident & Injury – claimant insurance claims

The inclusion of the Firm in so many categories by the Legal 500 is excellent news!

The Legal 500, along with the Chambers and Partners directory is in effect the Who’s Who in the legal profession. It is based on research and feedback entirely from clients, other solicitors & barristers and therefore it is a fantastic achievement that Nockolds LLP are so highly regarded in the legal profession.

We would like to thank all clients and others who gave us testimonials and spoke to the researchers.

Darren Hayward (profile) Jennie Jones (profile) Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Supporting CLIC Sargent - Trail Plus Challenge

Following on from the success and enjoyment of the Isabel Hospice Ride earlier this year, Nockolds have decided yet again to forego a relaxing Sunday for an extreme day of biking, running and kayaking!

Team Members include:

Sarah Miles

Tracy Ketteridge

Pete Dodd

Peter King

James Brunton

William Thomas

Harriet Jones

Orla Bingham

Alfonso Valero

The Camberly Caper, October 16th, is a Trail Plus event supporting CLIC Sargent.

CLIC Sargent provides incredible support for children and young people with cancer and their families.

 Sarah Miles, Commercial Solicitor at Nockolds explained, "Anyone with children knows how worrying it can be when they are knocked out with a bad cold, but to imagine how you must feel if your children suffer with cancer is beyond comprehension. It is all too easy to carry on in your own life and forget about the problems that so many families go through"

To support the team please contact marketing@nockolds.co.uk or sponsor them at https://www.justgiving.com/Nockolds-Solicitors0

Alfonso Valero (profile) James Brunton (profile) Pete Dodd (profile) Peter King (profile) Sarah Miles (profile) Wednesday 5th October 2011
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