Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes in accordance with the Constitution.

There were none.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were none.

To receive and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 were approved.

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.

RECOMMENDED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:

(i)              it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(ii)             the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:

(i)        it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in      paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(ii)       the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public          interest in disclosing the information.

The Committee received an exempt verbal update on the recruitment of an Interim Strategic Head of Resources.

RECOMMENDED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:

(i)              it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(ii)             the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:

(i)             it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(ii)            the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Committee received an exempt verbal update on the 2021/2020 Pay Negotiation.

RECOMMENDED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:

(i)             it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(ii)            the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:

(i)        it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in      paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(ii)       the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public          interest in disclosing the information.

The Committee discussed the training that they had recently received and reflected on the training offered to all Members over the last year.

To consider any item(s) which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered as a matter of urgency – Local Government Act 1972, Section 100B(4)(b).

Note: Urgent business must be submitted in writing but may be supplemented by an oral report.

There was none.