Agenda item

To provide an overview of the plans for working in the future and identify the support offered to staff in relation to mental well-being. The Audit and Governance committee are invited to consider the information presented

·         To accept the report and to note the plans for working for the future and note the support offered to staff in relation to mental well-being.

The Head of Corporate Support Department presented a report in response to the request of committee members for information on the Council’s plan in relation to future working arrangements and also the provision for supporting staff mental wellbeing.  It was reported that the vision for working in the future would be presented formally to a meeting of the Cabinet on 15 February 2022.

It was reported that regular meetings were held to discuss well-being matters, working arrangements and to construct new methods of service provision. Reference was made to the main drivers for adopting new working arrangements for the future, and some of the principles that were the foundations for flexible working arrangements. It was emphasised that, where the circumstances of the post allowed, any flexible working arrangement would be voluntary for staff. It was highlighted that staff were encouraged to discuss their situation regularly with their line managers, with staff well-being at the centre of the new arrangements. Consultation had taken place with staff, and in response to the vision of future working, it was noted that offices were being adapted to facilitate the new working arrangements, a number of working conditions and employment policies were being reviewed, and a training programme would be provided that would include leadership skills and holding hybrid teams.

It was noted that the vision aligned with Welsh Government's commitment to develop a remote working strategy, with the aim of enabling 30% of the Welsh workforce to work close to or from their homes. It was added that the support provided for the health and wellbeing of staff by the Council had been recognised by Welsh Government as “Gold Level” Corporate Health Standard.

The members expressed their thanks for the report.

During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by members:

·         The workforce had been forced to cope with the costs of heating, electricity and telephones over the period of the pandemic - a need to consider the impact of the income tax contributions in future.

·         There would be a new Council in May - the importance of face-to-face contact and joint discussions

·         In the context of staff well-being, it was difficult to identify problems when working from home

·         Supported the vision and the emphasis on flexibility

·         Anticipated that there would be opportunities for workers from the south of the county to apply for 'central' jobs

·         Need to ensure that an element of team working was maintained

·         A request to ensure that apprentices were given suitable opportunities to develop their characters and to collaborate within a team

In response to an observation that significant work would be required to make the offices secure, it was noted that the Housing and Property Department were leading the work, but they had only begun to identify the needs and the shape of the offices.  It was noted that one office had already been adapted, and would be used as a template for the others.

In the context of income tax, it was noted that staff had been informed of HMRC regulations and a percentage had taken advantage of support / tax allowance for working from home. In the context of travel costs and a reference in the report, ‘every member of staff will continue to have a named corporate workplace, and they can claim travel and sustenance costs from this location, and therefore no changes will be made to the existing policy on claiming travelling costs' it was noted that discussions had been held with Unions, but no amendments would be made to employment contracts in relation to business travelling costs. The matter would need to be revisited if the 'work place' was changed in future.

The observations about the advantages of face-to-face communication were accepted and the importance of holding discussions between staff and Members, and offering support to apprentices were recognised. The Head of Corporate Support promised that every effort would be made to respond positively to this.

RESOLVED:

·         To accept the report and to note the plans for working for the future and note the support offered to staff in relation to mental well-being.