44 Presentation - Dorset Council Workforce Data and People Strategy PDF 1 MB
To receive a presentation on
Dorset Council Workforce Data and the People Strategy.
Minutes:
Following a request
by the committee at a previous meeting, councillors received a presentation
which covered Dorset Council workforce data and the People Strategy. The committee considered the issues arising
from the presentation and during discussion, the following points were raised:
Workforce Data
·
Staff
turnover and sickness absence figures were noted
·
10% of
posts in the establishment were vacant and it was noted that some vacant posts
had been held while restructures were undertaken. The current tranche 2 was coming to an end
·
A
review of recruitment practice had been undertaken
·
The
Dorset Council website was the main location for council job vacancies,
although it was noticed that a lower level of recruitment was currently taking
place
·
As at
the end of September 2019, the headcount for Dorset Council was 4669 (3665 Full
time equivalents)
·
A
discussion was held with regard to sickness levels and in particular the level
of long-term sickness and the strategies that were in place to deal with these
issues
·
A
comment was made with regard to stress related illness and issues around mental
health in particular directorates and that there may be a need for a specific
piece of Human Resources (HR) work within these directorates
·
An
overview of the issues being addressed through the Blueprint for Change
consultation was provided including the need for manageable case loads for
social workers
·
Levels
of staff morale in the council were considered and different views
expressed. The council was looking to
procure a system in order to survey staff in a more modern way
·
The
council operated a ‘Business Partner’ approach with each service area being
allocated a senior HR contact. Workforce
data was also available at directorate level
·
A point
was noted with regard to the need for the committee to receive information on a
timely basis and particular reference was made to the position in Children’s
Services
·
The
Executive Director of Corporate Development responded to recognise the position
and to reiterate that everything was being done to support Children’s Services
through the Blueprint for Change consultation
·
The
Chairman noted that he had been contacted by the South West Audit Partnership
with regard to the timing for the committee receiving information and inviting
any comments from councillors prior to him submitting his response
·
Information
from each directorate was included in the presentation and reference was made
to ‘knowledge management’ and how information could be retained or transferred
with people leaving the council.
Particular reference was made to information from the Business Insight
and Corporate Communications area
·
A point
was raised as to how Dorset Council held and shared information and it was
understood that some work was being undertaken in this area. It was noted that a councillor workshop on
the Dorset Council transformation programmes was being held on 10 January 2020
and it was suggested that councillors attend this session and following this, the
committee could give further consideration to whether any further work was
required in this area
· The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education ... view the full minutes text for item 44
36 Dorset Council Workforce Data and People Strategy PDF 1 MB
To receive a presentation on
Dorset Council Workforce Data and the People Strategy.
Minutes:
The
Chairman noted that the presentation on Dorset Council Workforce Data and
People Strategy would now be given at the next meeting of the committee on 7
November 2019.