Issue - meetings

The Annual Report was accepted.

The item was submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys

RESOLVED

The Annual Report was accepted.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that 2021 had been very challenging in terms of Health, Safety and Well-being. The pandemic had highlighted, overnight, that every decision was made to ensure the safety of residents and staff in response to the pandemic. Attention was drawn to the work that had been done during the period, such as risk assessments, guidance and training for staff, along with health assessments. It was noted that a few Covid cases at work had occurred during 2020/21, but it was explained that this could not be confirmed definitively but that there was a requirement to report when there were reasonable grounds that they may have caught it at work.

It was explained that accidents continued, despite the pandemic over the past year. It was expressed that the department had been looking at the increase in injuries in the Waste Collection Service over the past years, and it was highlighted that stress was one of the main reasons for absences within the Council. It was explained that counselling had been available for staff as per usual.

It was noted that despite the difficult year, good work had been achieved to look after staff's health and well-being, and it was highlighted that the Council had retained the gold standard in the National Health Quality Framework.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾    The staff of the Department were thanked for their work and for their full commitment over the past year.

¾    It was highlighted that a great deal of work had been done to deal with staff well-being over the past year and staff were thanked for their work. However, with a high number of staff continuing to work from home, it was asked how they would continue to deal with staff well-being. It was noted that plans were in place to build on the good work that had been done.

¾    Pride was expressed as the department was continuing to look at the accidents that were happening specifically in the waste field.