Agenda item

Annual Turnover Report 2021/22

Minutes:

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

 

Councillor McMullen asked for further information regarding the Council’s review of the Staff Recognition Scheme. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that the current scheme was being reviewed by the East Herts Together Group, with the intention of creating more categories and increasing recognition and celebration in line with the council’s core values. He said that the new scheme would have sponsorship, and offer an annual awards ceremony. There would be no financial reward for winners, instead they would receive a small prize, such as a paperweight.

 

Councillor Dumont asked if productivity would be rewarded within the scheme alongside values. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that although productivity was not rewarded directly it did link into the Council’s core values. He gave the example of a very productive employee giving excellent customer service, and aiming high.

 

The Chairman referred to item 5 of the report and said that turnover of staff looked high, but that the stability rate which shows the retention of employees in their first year of service was good. She said it was disappointing that only 55% of people leaving the employment of the Council completed their exit questionnaire. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that a return rate of more than 40% for a questionnaire was statistically successful, and that it was not possible to force people to complete one. He said that turnover was slightly higher than the local government average, but the government average figures had not been updated since 2018/19. He continued by saying that he would explore providing further comparison figures for the Committee at the next meeting, and that the Leadership Team had requested to see future data expressed as figures as opposed to a percentages.

 

The Chairman said that it was good to see that the Council’s vacancy rate significantly was lower than average, and that there had been lower recruitment costs. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that this was due to the deal which the Council had with Ideal, and the good advertising package which existed with ATS. He added that the Council attempted to avoid high agency fees, but this may be required to recruit specialist posts such as lawyers. He concluded by saying that there was a clear direction of travel with the costs of recruitment, and that should this inflate there would be a reason which he would make Members aware of.

 

Councillor Dumont said that not all agency fees were high and that many agencies supported Local Authorities and such organisations well, with many of the soft costs not seen. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that he was only comparing percentages to advertising costs.

 

It was moved by Councillor Alder and seconded by Councillor Dumont 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 Annual Turnover Report 2021/2022 including the actions (in section 11.0) planned for 2022/23 be received.

 

 

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