Agenda item

To consider an update on HR matters impacting on the performance of the organisation.

The Committee received and noted a report on Human Resources (HR) matters impacting on the performance of the Council during the period 1st April 2025 until 30th June 2025. The report included the latest position and trends relating to employee numbers, salary costs and sickness absence. A copy of the report is appended in the Minute Book.

The Committee heard that the workforce totalled 696 people, the fulltime equivalent working out at 638.96 Officers, which was an increase from the previous Quarter. The Quarter ended with an underspend of £1.188 million and an overspend of £1.126 on Contractor and Agency costs.

It was confirmed that 25 individuals left the Council in Quarter 1 which was a slight increase from the previous Quarter when 21 employees left. The overall turnover was 17.6%. There were 3 retirements with a combined service period of 27 years. There had been a decrease in recruitment with 51 roles advertised as opposed to 81 in the previous Quarter. Sickness had increased from 8.3 days FTE to 8.4, however long-term sickness had decreased from 22 to 21 employees.

After a question from Councillor Cawley relating to long-term sickness, referencing anxiety and other mental health issues, Members were informed that Managers were utilising the My Conversation forms in the monthly 1:2:1 sessions with their staff and these discussions surrounded support, wellbeing and workloads. Managers were also receiving training in how to support their staff from an earlier point in the process which should positively impact the amount of sick days taken.

Further information regarding Health and Safety, particularly Near Misses was requested by the Committee, believing tracking these will help people to learn and prevent incidents from happening. Members were advised that there was a discussion with the Health and Safety Manager who was putting an Action Plan together to promote this. The Committee invited the Health and Safety Manager to attend a future meeting so they could discuss this further with him.

Councillor Lowe asked if there was a plan to expand the Apprenticeship Scheme beyond the current roles. The Committee heard the Apprenticeships were driven by requests from Management and they were restricted in what they could offer as the uptake had been so high that the levy had been exhausted.

Councillor Davenport-Ray asked for further detail regarding the challenges faced whilst recruiting for specific roles within the One Leisure Team. It was confirmed that the roles were middle-management level roles in One Leisure and the candidates’ skill set for the role were not a match. This was currently on hold and a review was being undertaken to reevaluate the roles in the new structure.

After a question from Councillor Keane, it was heard that the programme for Flu vaccinations was rolled out to Officers in October with good uptake from staff and was promoted in the Road Show week.

It was asked if Neurodiversity had been included in the Management training. It was confirmed that Neurodiversity was being threaded through every course they have to ensure colleagues with neurodiversity were being fully supported.

It was

RESOLVED

that the contents of the report be noted.