Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the Group Head of Commissioning and Transformation.

Sandy Muirhead, Group Head of Commissioning and Transformation gave an update to the Committee on recruitment and retention of staff.

The Council had moved to local terms and conditions of pay with effect from 1 April 2019.  This had given flexibility to look at salaries in relation to local circumstances and affordability to ensure we are able to recruit and retain good quality staff.

Retention allowances can be paid to staff in ‘hard to fill’ posts or to retain staff for the duration of particular work or projects.  Restructuring of teams had resulted in the removal of some allowances.  In terms of recruitment to these roles, more specific technical sites and social media were being used.

The apprenticeship levy had been used on upskilling 19 existing staff and the appointment of 4 new apprentices.

Mental health wellbeing in the workplace initiatives were being planned and would be rolled out across the organisation.

Resolved to note the update.

To receive an update on recruitment and retention matters from the Group Head, Commissioning and Transformation.

The Group Head Commissioning and Transformation provided an update on recruitment and retention, advising that allowances had been used to recruit and retain staff where there was difficulty in recruiting. The shortages were due partly to the proximity of Heathrow and London and the higher salaries available in those areas and partly because of a shortage of specialist staff available. The allowances had been extended for a further year in some departments pending wider external benchmarking, and in relation to Building Control consideration was being given to reinvesting in the team through training opportunities, succession planning and resilience.

The Committee expressed the view that competitive salaries should be offered to attract and retain staff rather than payment of allowances and also that local pay bargaining would give more flexibility.

The number of apprenticeships offered had been below target due to difficulty in finding a suitable training provider.  Waverley Training Services had now been engaged and new opportunities identified including two apprenticeships in Customer Services and four in Horticulture. A number of existing staff were also studying NVQs relevant to their roles.

Resolved to note the update provided and request a further update at their next meeting in November