Issue - meetings

To note and accept the information in the report.

The item was submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys.

RESOLVED

To note and accept the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted for the first time since 2019. It was noted that the pandemic had interrupted the last report but that it was now timely for the Cabinet to receive an employment report. It was expressed that the report looked at the profile of the workforce and highlighted the main challenges facing the Council in the medium and long term.

It was highlighted that the Council's situation had changed since the beginning of the pandemic, with adapted working practices and the implications of these. It was added that as a consequence of home working, that the recruitment market had adapted and that it was now possible to recruit from broader locations. It was explained that statistics showed that the Council's age profile had increased and that this highlighted the need to prioritise the workforce plan to maintain services in the future.

Attention was drawn to the carers recruitment problems that were present in the Adults Department, noting that this was a national problem. It was explained that the Human Resources service was working with the department to see how the situation could be improved.

It was expressed that staff well-being remained a priority and was all important and the scheme had continued throughout the pandemic. When looking to the future, it was noted that the home working arrangements were here to stay in some guise or another, and there was a need to think how to adapt long-term working arrangements. It was expressed that there were advantages from home working, but that there was a need to continue to ensure that the needs of residents were the priority.

Observations arising from the discussion:

¾    The Head of Department added that the past year had been considerably different. It was highlighted that sickness levels had reduced and that staff turnover levels had also reduced. Despite this, it was explained that the level was increasing gradually and the Council needed to continue to plan the workforce to retain and recruit staff.

¾    It was emphasised that there were substantial pressures on the workforce and there were national concerns about service continuity. In response to a question about the Council's position, it was noted that an increase in work pressure and the impact of staff turnover could be seen in some fields in particular, and that there was a risk of losing more staff.

Attention was drawn to carer recruitment and that it was a concerning situation as individuals were being forced to stay in Hospital for a long period of time before they could come home, due to the lack of carers. It was noted that the workforce was key to the county and that there was a need to highlight to the public that these jobs were as important as jobs in the health field.