Issue - meetings

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development submitted a report which provided a detailed analysis of turnover for 2016/17.

The HR Officer provided a summary of actions identified to be delivered in 2017/18 to support the Council in improving its turnover rates and reasons for leaving, as now detailed.  The Head recommended that the turnover targets as follows remain unchanged for 2017/18:

·        Turnover rate target                        - 10%

·        Voluntary turnover rate 2017/18   -   7%

·        Stability Index                                  -  90%

The Chairman thanked Officers for providing comparative information and referred to the difficulties some departments faced (namely planning), in recruiting officers.  The HR Officer provided an update on how the Council advertised vacant posts and what professional career support was provided. 

Councillor M Stevenson referred to Leavers’ Feedback and the issue of promotional prospects.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development explained that many services had recently been restructured and that such feedback was not uncommon at a time of change.

In response to a query from Councillor P Boylan regarding the Local Government Workforce Survey 2015/16 regarding recruitment difficulties within the top three posts, e.g., Planning, Building Control and Civil Enforcement, the Head undertook to research this further and let Members know.  She explained that on the issue of planning, many District Councils experienced similar difficulties and the private sector tended to pay more.  The issue of recruiting civil enforcement and building control staff was debated.

Councillor M Stevenson referred to the use of apprentices and confirmed that HR Officers did visit schools to explain the role of the Council and what employment opportunities existed.

The Committee supported the recommendations, as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the targets for 2017/18 remain unchanged as follows:

·               turnover target rate – 10%

·               Voluntary turnover rate – 7%

·               Stability index – 90%