Issue - meetings

A summary report of the key workforce data to date for the financial year 2020/21.

Report to follow

The Head of Organisational Development and HR introduced the report which provided an indication of the organisation’s health and workforce demographic.

Members heard that the number of sick days had reduced to 7.39 days per employee, continuing the downward trend both in sickness absence and the turnover of staff. Officers explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, greater emphasis had been placed on supporting staff wellbeing and mental health. Consequently, and in response to a question, the Interim Head of Paid Service explained that the full impact of the pandemic on organisational health would become clearer in 2021/22.

The approach to recruitment had been strengthened with the introduction of a full-time recruitment role to lead recruitment campaigns, improve processes and ensure consistency. The Committee expressed its support for the opportunities that had been created by the Apprenticeship Levy, and were pleased that the Council had employed 24 apprentices, of which 14 had started with the Council since March 2020.

RESOLVED that the Workforce Data summary Annex, comprising of key equalities workforce information, and organisational health measures including sickness absence, and employee turnover data, be noted.