A RADICAL overhaul of City of York Council is on the cards after the top level of the organisation was branded a "collection of baronies".

Criticism of how senior officers operated came in a mixed review of the authority, carried out by a team of senior officers and councillors from across the country.

The independent peer review by the Improvement And Development Agency - which also praised many aspects of the council - said delivery of services appeared to be hindered by "high levels of suspicion, mistrust and rivalry".

It added: "On a number of occasions the style of directors' working was described to us as 'baronial' or the council as a collection of 'baronies'.

"There is an evident lack of mutual support between fellow directors and relationships seem to be characterised by high levels of suspicion, mistrust and rivalry."

Council leader Steve Galloway responding to the review - requested by the council - warned against conclusions being drawn in the wake of the team's "snap shot" visit to York when council chiefs, frontline staff and union officials were quizzed.

He told an executive meeting it was not possible for the team to test in detail opinions raised, or spend much time with residents.

Chief executive David Atkinson called for people to look at the wider message, that York was a good council, and not focus on anecdotes about "corrosive" working styles. The review would be used as a "springboard for improvement", he added.

Unveiling a major shake-up of council administrative departments and an action plan to tackle points raised, Coun Galloway accepted "cultural change" was needed. He said improved teamwork would deal with "so-called baronies" and increase confidence.

Coun Galloway added: "The overwhelming conclusion of the report is York is a good council, producing above average quality services and for less cost than any other in the country.

"As such it is a testament to the hard work of members and officers over the last few years."

But he added: "Clearly the report is saying the council has had several endemic failings which go back over many years. One continuing theme is lack of corporate working - an over abundance of departmentalism. We accept this criticism."

Labour today said the review was a "damning" report into leadership failures. Opposition leader Dave Merrett said it showed senior councillors were interfering in minor issues instead of focusing on big decisions.

He said the report raised questions about whether the authority was listening to partners, on issues like parking, and added that "unhelpful" rivalries between departments showed members and senior officers were failing to work as a team.

Big shake-up of top-tier in pipeline

PLANS for top-tier of management at City of York Council to be streamlined have been unveiled.

If passed by full council later this month, the organisational structure at the Guildhall - criticised in the new peer review - would change dramatically.

At the moment, the senior management structure, overseen by the chief executive, consists of the following departments: deputy chief executive, director of education and leisure, director of community services, the sprawling director of environment and development services, director of commercial services and director of resources.

Under the proposals - the results of a one-year organisational review - they would be scrapped to be replaced by the following departments: city strategy (including planning, highways and economic development), children's services, adult services, neighbourhood services (including York Pride) and corporate and central services.

Officers hope the changes will come into force from this autumn.

Updated: 11:42 Thursday, July 14, 2005