Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the HR Business Partner.

Further to a review of the performance dashboard, the committee had asked for a report on data and interventions taking place regarding HR matters in the Place Directorate.

The committee considered the issues arising from the report and discussion covered the following areas:

·       Issues around recruitment in particular areas

·       Use of return-to-work interviews as part of the council’s management attendance policy

·       Issues around succession planning and the council’s aspiration to be an employer of choice

·       Detail of the council’s apprenticeship scheme and the value of apprenticeships and discussion around how the council could continue to improve links with schools and colleges to encourage and signpost children into careers in local government

·       Acknowledgement of the considerable work undertaken by officers in the Place Directorate, many of who were in front line roles and thanks for all they did

·       Issues around DBS checks

·       Detail of the HR interventions in respect of sickness absence and particular reference to wellbeing support offered

·       Request for clarification on support available to councillors.

At this point in the meeting, it was proposed by D Tooke seconded by D Shortell and agreed by the committee, that the meeting continue beyond the 3-hour limit as set out in the Constitution.

The Chairman provided a summary of the discussion held and noted further action required:

·       The committee expressed thanks and appreciation to officers working in the Place Directorate for their work and for the services they provided

·       The committee flagged up the potential risks around driver recruitment for the council

·       The committee also noted issues around the age structure within the directorate and the potential risks around future staff planning

·       Request for a councillor webinar on the council’s apprenticeship scheme

·       Request for information to be provided on support available to councillors including equipment available and wellbeing support

·       The committee were supportive of continued work to improve links with schools and colleges to signpost children into careers in local government – with a report back to the committee at an appropriate time

·       The committee to maintain an overview of sickness figures for the Place directorate as part of the committee’s regular review of the performance dashboard

·       That the council continue to monitor the impact on staff of working from home.

The Chairman thanked officers for the report and discussion at the meeting.