Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Interim Section 151 Officer (copy enclosed).

The Committee received and noted the report of the Interim Section 151 Officer presenting Human Resources statistics for the period 1 April to 30 June 2019 (Quarter One (Q1)). 

Statistics and updates relating to the following areas were detailed in the report:

·                 Labour Turnover;

·                 Recruitment, including vacancies;

·                 Agency workers – Appendix 1 to the report set out agency expenditure for Q3;

·                 Staff Sickness Levels;

·                 Attendance Management Compliance;

·                 Workforce Statistics – attached as Appendix 2 to the report.

·                 Future Model.

Concern was raised that the information contained in Appendix 1 to the report (Agency Costs) was incomplete as budget values were not shown and a similar query to that on the previous item of business regarding the Technology Implementation Manager was raised.  In response the Interim Section 151 Officer provided Members with detailed information regarding budgeting for agency staff and how monies were allocated to accommodate such requirements.  He advised that he would ensure the production of future tables relating to this matter would address concerns raised, however it was noted that information relating to quarter two would provide greater clarity in light of the transformation programme that the Council was currently undergoing.

Following further discussions, Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the Interim Section 151 Officer reviewed Appendix 1 to the report and circulated the revised version to Members.  In response, the Interim Section 151 Officer agreed to update the table at Appendix 1 and include the budget values (where budget had been set) and clearly show the actual variances against such budgets.

In response to a question regarding the amount of monies being spent on Agency costs (as shown in Appendix 1), the Interim Section 151 Officer advised that this was necessary expenditure to deliver the Council’s services and in order see the transformation programme through to its conclusion adequate provision would have been made for such agency staff.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the contents of the report be noted;

(ii)            That the Interim Section 151 Officer revise Appendix 1 to the report and circulate this to Members outside of the meeting with an explanatory note.