Issue - meetings

That the mid-year Workforce Information Report for 2023/24 be noted.

The Corporate Manager (People and Organisational Development) presented a mid-year update report on workforce statistics and analysis for the period covering 1 April to 30 September 2023.

An overview of key areas showed the impact of continuing national workforce pressures, particularly in areas such as Social Care.  In comparison with the same period in 2022, there was a slight increase in turnover and the introduction of an electronic survey, in addition to exit interviews, would help to gain a better understanding of the reasons.  An improved position was reported on attendance where the main reason for absences continued to be related to mental health.  As part of the robust approach to managing attendance, a separate policy was being considered to manage chronic long-term illnesses.  An update on agency worker spend indicated active placements at the point of preparing the report and showed increasing demand in specialist areas such as Children’s Services.  The majority of total agency spend was mitigated by vacancy savings or grant contributions.

Councillor Bernie Attridge asked for more information on the reasons behind employee turnover in Social Services.  The Corporate Manager cited potential reasons and agreed to seek a detailed response from the service to share with the Committee.  In response to comments on the Council’s Occupational Health service, she remarked on more complex legislation to deal with multiple health issues and asked that any specific concerns be referred directly to her.  On agency workers, she provided clarity on the Council’s terms which went beyond regulatory requirements.

Given the Council’s financial pressures, Councillor Andrew Parkhurst queried the increased headcount in non-schools employees and sought information on the types of roles and assurance that costs were being managed.  The Corporate Manager agreed to share a detailed response separately but reiterated that the data provided a snapshot at that point in time and that the robust vacancy management process ensured that every post was challenged.

Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson asked about agency workers engaged in Social Services and was informed that additional temporary resources had been appointed to specifically deal with the increased demand for services, as recruitment had not resulted in permanent appointments.  When asked about the average cost for employing an individual through an agency as opposed to recruiting externally, the Corporate Manager agreed to establish if she could share some contractual information with the Committee on a confidential basis, given it was commercially sensitive, but advised that the Matrix system was more cost-effective for the majority of posts.

The recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Debbie Owen.

RESOLVED:

That the mid-year Workforce Information Report for 2023/24 be noted.