Issue - meetings

INFORMATION NOTE OF THE CORPORATE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER.

To receive an update on the progress made in the last quarter on the People Strategy 2015 – 2020.

IT WAS AGREED: That the Information Note entitled People Strategy Update and Annual Report 2019 be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Committee to consider the People Strategy Update.

Audio Recording – 19 Minutes 45 Seconds

The Corporate Human Resources Manager presented the information note entitled People Strategy Update and Annual Report 2019 and advised the Committee of the following:

·                An update on the progress made in the last quarter on the People Strategy 2015-2020;

·                The Local Government Employers would be releasing a new Workforce Development Framework during Spring/Summer 2020;

·                It was proposed that the Council would adopt the framework in order to crate a workforce development plan and create the People Strategy during the Autumn/Winter 2020/21.

·                Recruitment had been busy that year with a total number of vacancies advertised during the period January to November 2019 at 93;

·                There were 12 Apprentices working at the Council;

·                April 2019 saw the end of a two year pay deal of 2% with higher increases for the lowest paid to meet the rising rate of the National Living Wage and to work towards it increasing up to the rates expected in 2020;

·                The Payroll project had placed a huge demand on the Human Resources team;

·                The iTrent system was more modern and user friendly and would allow Officers and Councillors to submit expenses and view payslips via mobile devices;

·                The Employee Assistant Programme was available to Officers and Councillors; recent data obtained showed reasonable use;

·                A new staff recognition scheme had been introduced;

·                There were more trained Mental Health First Aiders;

·                The Employee Handbook would be redesigned in order to modernise it and make it easier for staff to find information;

·                Work was going to be undertaken to streamline HR Policies;

·                The Short-Term absence target of 3.50 for 2018/19 was exceeded by 0.60 days;

·                106 Staff took up the Flu Vaccination;

·                The Annual joint funded Unison and NHDC Children’s Christmas tea party took place on Friday 13 December 2019 which 20-25 children attended;

·                Appendix A illustrated the Staff Turnover Rates;

·                The absence rates from November 2018-October 2019 were discussed.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Claire Strong; and

·         Councillor Kate Aspinwall.

In response to questions raised, the Corporate Human Resources Manager provided the following:

·         The absence rate in July 2019 was higher than expected at that time of year; this was looked into;

·         The Flu Vaccination was not available to Councillors;

·         Support was offered to Staff on Long-Term Sick;

·         Pay negotiations were still ongoing. However, it would be unlikely that people will see an increase in their pay in April 2020.

IT WAS AGREED: That the Information Note entitled People Strategy Update and Annual Report 2019 be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Committee to consider the People Strategy Update.