Issue - meetings

To consider an overview of the draft approach for the Organisational Development Strategy. The Employment Committee is asked to consider and endorse this approach.

The Head of Organisational Development introduced a report, providing information on the Council’s approach to developing an Organisational Development Strategy.

During the discussion it was noted that Organisational Development was a new, explicit area for the Council and it was explained that this was a systemic approach to improving organisational effectiveness – one that aligned strategy, people and processes.

The Committee was informed that a draft approach to Organisational Development had been developed and that this had been set out in Annex 1 to the report presented. The Committee noted that employee engagement was a key outcome for the strategy.

In response to questions, the importance of having highly engaged employees was highlighted and it was recognised that organisations with high levels of employee engagement were likely to be more efficient and effective. The Chief Executive explained the Council’s approach to Organisational Development would sit alongside objectives for the 2020-2025 Corporate Plan. In addition, it was explained that officers would scope and develop detailed programmes and/or projects to deliver the Council’s approach, prioritising these accordingly.    

The Committee highlighted the need for all projects to develop clear success measures and the importance of ensuring success measures were in place for the overall approach. The importance of collecting baseline data, including the use of staff surveys and gathering other quantitative and qualitative data, was noted. However, it was recognised that the measurement of overall success would be difficult as many of the benefits were likely to be intangible or unquantifiable.   

During the discussion a wide range of issues were considered in relation to apprenticeships, the Council’s worker scheme, performance and pay and the Council’s annual appraisal system.

RESOLVED that the approach to Organisational Development, set out in Annex 1 to the report presented, be endorsed.