Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of People, Performance & Waste and the Operations Manager for People Services providing Members with an update on both the Establishment of the Council together with its performance.

The Group had before it, and NOTED, a report * from the Head of People, Performance & Waste and the Operations Manager for People Services providing an update on both the Establishment of the Council together with its performance.

The contents of the report were outlined with particular reference to the following:

·         The report ran alongside the annual Pay Policy and other key data.

·         The potential risk of industrial action across the Local Government sector during the autumn and winter. Unison were currently balloting members as a result of recent pay settlements in other areas of the public sector. Members would of course be kept updated.

·         The number of sickness days per FTE (Full Time Equivalent) per year was currently showing as 10.45 days. This was reflected as a challenge across the sector. Free flu jabs were being offered to staff earlier than normal this year. All 100 vouchers had been taken this up.

·         Recruitment and selection training had also been offered to relevant staff during October and these course were already well subscribed.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Absence for dependents was not included within these figures.

·         All service areas were reviewing their business continuity plans and ascertaining the core services which needed to be provided should industrial action be a possibility.

·         The Group were reassured that a ‘Workforce Review Group’ met on a weekly basis to monitor staffing levels.

·         The Waste area was at particularly high risk should industrial action be threatened however, when the pandemic had hit an emergency plan had been employed to collect waste and a similar plan could be instigated again should it be needed.

Note: * Report previously circulated.