One Barnet program lies in tatters as Nick Walkley leaves Barnet Council

Today official sources at Barnet Council have confirmed that the CEO, Mr Nick Walkley is leaving Barnet council for a job at Harringey Council. As Mr Walkley is on £200,000 per year at present it is most unlikely that he has left because he couldn't make ends meet at Barnet. Mr Walkley has been the driving force behind the One Barnet outsourcing program. This porject has been reportedly been in deep trouble. Councillors and council officials have, for several months, been giving conflicting briefings both on and off the record. All of these have shown that the project was in serious trouble.

Barnet Council now has a massive crisis at the top. The CEO is going at the vital stage in the project life cycle. The deputy CEO is a part time consultant. In short, Barnet now has a serious power vacuum. This at a time when contract negotiations are at their most delicate stage. Even more worrying, many middle managers have either been made redundant or have jobs under threat. The organisation has been softened up for outsourcing and now the rug has been pulled from under it.

It is clear that Barnet must immediately suspend all work on One Barnet, until such time as the issue of the power vacuum has been resolved. Would Walkley have wlkley'ed away from such a prestigious project if he thought it would work? This blog has known for some time that Mr Walkley was looking for another role.  We wish him and the people of Haringey well and hope he  has learned some lessons from his time in Barnet.

Here is a copy of the email Nick Walkley sent to all staff today at 5pm
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From:Adams, Nikki On Behalf Of Walkley, Nick
Sent: 04 October 2012 17:20
To: AllStaff
Subject: Message from the Chief Executive

I am writing to let you all know that earlier today I was offered the role of Chief Executive with Haringey Council and that I have accepted the post.

This is obviously a hugely challenging role and one I felt unable to turn down. There is still a formal appointment process to be completed but I feel it is important at that I inform you all personally.

I will send out details of transition arrangements, which are likely to take some months, as soon as I am able.

Nick

Nick Walkley
Chief Executive
London Borough of Barnet, North London Business Park , Oakleigh Road South , London N11 1NP
Tel: 020 8359 7001
Barnet Online: www.barnet.gov.uk

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