Agenda item

To receive a verbal overview of issues relating to the readiness of critical/key services.

 

Members can refer to the information contained within the Programme Highlight Report (agenda item 5) to assist with discussion on this item.

The Chairman welcomed officers who attended to respond to members key lines of enquiry regarding readiness of critical and key services.  The Chairman highlighted the following key lines of enquiry:-

 

(1)  Clearly there was a risk during a period of significant stress that all will not go according to best hopes and plans.

 

(2)  Some services will be more affected than others by staff issues

 

a.    Which are affected, and maybe have been for some time?

b.    Which are affected by national issues e.g. shortages of staff with the required skills?

c.    Which services are regarded as “at risk” because of the above?

d.    Are there concerns about competition for staff between the two new Unitaries?

e.    Are there any emerging signs of increased problems with recruitment and retention?

f.     Are there any key time periods when they might emerge?

 

(3)  Apart from personnel are there any other areas which pose a risk to seamless service delivery?

 

In response to a question, the Chairman confirmed that these points of enquiry were circulated to members over the Christmas period.  However they were not set in stone, but a prompt to enable and start a conversation.

 

The Chairman invited Cllr P Wharf to address the committee as the Lead of the HR Work stream. Cllr Wharf asked members to be content that the work stream and highlighted that officers had taken these matters seriously.  He reported on progress of the process, but could not necessarily share staff structural or functional details at this time.

 

In discussions with key officers the following information was shared or comments were made:-

 

·         That many staff were doing the day job as well as preparation work for Day 1

·         The HR work stream was working closely and constructively with Unions

·         Although this was a challenging time, it was also exciting and opportune for individuals.

·         In respect of Place; there were difficulties in recruiting Environmental Health officers, however nationally there were shortages in this area and this included Building Control, Planning plus some housing posts.  This was not an exclusive Day 1 issue, but a common challenge for many local authorities.

·         There was also a local training programme and a healthy apprenticeship scheme in place.

·         In respect of People; for Children and Adults, it was expected that Adult Social Care for Day 1 Dorset would be in a stronger position than many of the surrounding areas. Vacancies would be at a manageable number.

·         There was a clear transition plan in place for the TUPE arrangements for staff to transfer to the BCP Council.

·         Dorset and neighbouring councils working were together to ensure that no employment destabilising took place.

·         In respect of Children services; Dorset was in a better position compared to other local authorities, in relation to vacancies.

·         Children services would have a stable workforce in place as the job was attractive, not just financial but offered manageable caseloads compared to the national average.

·         Members recognised that this was an uncertain time and that officers were busy in preparation for Day 1 to be safe and legal.

·         It was agreed that the committee needed not to put unnecessary pressure on officers at this time.

·         In response to a comment, Graduate training schemes were being considered for the new Council

·         Cllr P Wharf advised that he was meeting with the LGA to learn more about accelerated graduate schemes. 

·         It was noted that arrangements were not perfect but on track for Day 1

·         In respect of IT, there were some issues, but these were not concerns for being Day 1 ready.

·         Multiple IT systems would continue for Day 1 to ensure the systems and processes did not fall down

·         Payroll – would be ready, but any risk had been anticipated and prepared for.

 

In summing up the debate, members noted the following:-

 

·         It was important to consider how the new authority would retain staff in the future to ensure that it was an employer of choice for the 21^st Century

·         Ensure that staff continued to grow and develop within the organisation

·         Current shortages of staff primarily reflected the national position

·         Ensure that staff were not poached by neighbouring councils

·         Must ensure that critical services did not fall down

·         That a short benchmark report be presented to the Shadow Executive Committee to ensure the committee’s comments and concerns were highlighted.

 

Members took the opportunity to thank officers for their attendance at the meeting.

 

Decision

 

(a)       That Cllr P Wharf prepare a short report setting out the committee concerns and comments regarding readiness of critical/key services to be presented to the March meeting of the Shadow Executive Committee.