Agenda item

Human Resources Management Quarterly Statistics Report - Quarter 4 2021/22

Minutes:

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development briefly introduced the report.

 

Councillor Alder referred to Item 3, paragraph 1.4 of the report and voiced her concerns about the high number of staff vacancies which existed within the Planning and Housing and Health departments. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that the vacancies which were being referred to were ‘posts on hold’, which were not currently being actively recruited to on a permanent basis. This included 8 vacancies within the Planning Department. He continued by saying that these figures had not changed since the last quarter, and were currently being filled by agency staff.

 

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that there was a countrywide shortage of planning staff, and that internal apprenticeships had been adversely affected by the pandemic not allowing for trainees to work alongside planners. He said that post pandemic the council needed to make savings, some of which would come from encompassing administrative roles to within the proposed Corporate Support Hub. He finished by saying that Service Reviews had now been performed on all departments. 

 

Councillor Ruffles referred to paragraph 3.1.1 of the report and asked for clarification on how a staff member was counted as retiring when leaving the employment of the Council. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that these were real retirements, where the staff members had begun to draw down their pensions. He added that the pandemic had placed an extra burden upon the staff within the Revenues and Benefits Department, and this had contributed to an increase in staff within this service deciding to retire.   

 

Councillor Ruffles referred to 3.3.3 of the report and asked if Members of the Committee should be recommending any measures to be taken forward to protect the mental health of staff. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that the role of the Committee included monitoring, the querying of officers, making suggestions and approving recommendations when appropriate. He said that the council would again shortly be running itsWellbeing Survey, explaining that Covid had affected the survey results relating to staff mental health. He continued by saying that mental health issues are now more openly discussed, but were no easier managed, adding that it was disappointing that staff participation in wellbeing events was low.

 

Councillor Dumont also referred to the known spike in mental health issues due to the pandemic, which largely correlated with people being at home and not having interaction with others. He asked that this, alongside any questions surrounding productivity be considered when the blended working offer was reviewed in November. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that he agreed with points made by Councillor Dumont, and added that the current cost of living crisis was also impacting this already complex situation.

 

Councillor McMullen also referred to the productivity of staff working from home, and asked how managers were measuring this alongside ensuring that all staff remained well. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that the way in which productivity was measured has not changed, managers continue to set tasks, and use 1-2-1 meetings and the appraisal system to monitor staff performance. He said that working in the office was good and should not be discarded, which was an area that continued to be looked at. He followed on by saying that staff who work from home should be fully contactable, with Heads of Service being asked to monitor this.

 

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that staff working from home also gave the council the option of creating enough space to enable the taking on of a large tenant in the building, thus generating income. He voiced his intention to include Members participation in the forthcoming Wellbeing Survey, which would provide a customer view. 

 

Councillor Ruffles referred to 3.4.7 of the report which referred to the staff SkillsBuild training platform, encouraging Members to also participate in the modules on offer. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development agreed with Councillor Ruffles, adding that a full rollout of the courses to Members was being facilitated. Councillor Newton said that she too agreed with Councillor Ruffles and expressed her desire to complete the ‘Bouncebackability: Rolling With Life’s Punches’ module which was to be offered to staff.

 

The Chairman referred to 3.4.2 of the report which referred to the PDR training which was delivered to both managers and staff during Quarter 4, and asked if plans were to continue this training virtually. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that this training would continue to be delivered by a mixed provision, both via zoom and with in-person sessions.

 

It was moved by Councillor Newton and seconded by Councillor Ruffles that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that the Human Resources Management Statistics for Quarter 4 (January - March 2022) be received.

 

Supporting documents: