Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the report and explained that it provided an overview of the annual performance of Flintshire Connects, the service responsible for providing face to face and digital access to Council services during the financial year 2022/23.

As part of the Council’s business planning process, Flintshire Connects completed a review of vacancies in 2022/23 which led to a £60,000 efficiency at the same time avoiding any redundancies.  The report described the impact of that saving on the service.

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that as with many services Flintshire Connects had faced significant staffing challenges over the last twelve months.  With vacancies running at over 50% at times, the service could not continue to operate full time hours across all five Centres.

In October 2022, Buckley and Mold Connects Centres reduced their opening hours on a temporary basis, alternating days between the two Centres.  In February the decision to retain the changes on a permanent basis was made as part of the annual budget process.

Connah’s Quay and Flint Connects Centres experienced intermittent disruption to opening hours towards the end of 2022 before the opening hours were temporarily reduced in January 2023.

Recruitment had been challenging but as the service moved in to 2023/24, vacancies were filled and training and development for new staff was being undertaken to ensure Connah’s Quay and Flint reverted to full-time hours as soon as possible.

Councillor Roberts welcomed the additional opening hours and thanked the staff in the Connects Centres who provided invaluable support to residents.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Flintshire Connects annual performance 2022/23 be noted;

(b)       That the historic change to opening hours in Buckley and Mold resulting in part-time opening hours at both centres be noted;

(c)        That an increase to opening hours at Buckley Connects Centre (one additional day) to give parity with Mold, be approved, which would take effect when all new employees are training; and

(d)       That the priorities for the service be supported.