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 be noted.

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

Audio Recording – 13 Minutes 58 Seconds

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

·                Work was underway to create a new People Strategy;

·                The LGE were developing a new Workforce Development Framework;

·                The Council now had 12 Apprentices in post, of these 10 were Entry Level and 2 were Higher Level Apprentices;

·                The 2 Human Resources Apprentices were undertaking the CIPD qualification;

·                Managers were bidding for another 2 Apprentices;

·                The Payroll Project was time and labour intensive for the Human Resources department;

·                The Pay Policy Statement for 2020/2021 went to Full Council in February 2020 was published on the Council’s website;

·                The unions put in a pay claim for 10% or £10 per hour, whichever was greater;

·                The LG Employers wrote to employers on 5 February to say 2% had been offered but was rejected;

·                Preparation was underway for auto re-enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme;

·                GP consultation services had been introduced for all NHDC employees;

·                New contracts for the Wider Wallet discount scheme and Kiddivouchers will commence from 1 April 2020; and

·                From April, Regular Performance Reviews (RPRs) would become the main mechanism for regular one to one discussions.

The Corporate Human Resources Manager directed Members to Appendix A on page 28 within the report relating to absence and advised from January 2019 to December 2019 rolling year 4 days were lost to short-term absence.

Following the Corporate Human Resources Manager’s report on absence, there was a discussion regarding the Coronavirus outbreak. In response to Member’s questions on this matter, the Corporate Human Resources Manager responded as follows:

·                The short-term absence procedure would be changed;

·                Cleaning equipment was available for staff to use;

·                Staff were able to bring their personal laptops into work if they wished; and

·                Homeworking was being encouraged.

The Corporate Human Resources Manager directed Members to Appendix B – 2019/2020 HR Service Work Plan detailed on page 29 within the report and informed the Committee that the next HR Work Plan would be available at the Joint Staff Consultative Committee in June.

IT WAS AGREED: That the information note entitled People Strategy Update be noted.

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