Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/197

Contact: Sarah Currell, HR Manager – Business Systems Tel: 07793 242888

Report by Deputy Director – Human Resources (CA9).

The report gives an update on staffing numbers and related activity during the period 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019.  It gives details of the actual staffing numbers at 30 September 2019 in terms of Full Time Equivalents.  These are shown by directorate in Appendix 1. In addition, the report provides information on the cost of posts being covered by agency staff and a 4 year Agency Trend analysis in Appendix 2. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

Noted.

Cabinet considered a report that gave an update on staffing numbers and related activity during the period 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019.  It gave details of the actual staffing numbers at 30 September 2019 in terms of Full Time Equivalents. In addition, the report provided information on the cost of posts being covered by agency staff and a 4 year Agency Trend analysis.

Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader welcomed the narrative within the report that enabled readers to get under the actual figures to understand key challenges. Councillor Price referred to the agency staff funded by short term government grants and highlighted the need to monitor this area carefully. It was important to interrogate the outcomes to ensure that the Council was not becoming over reliant on grant funding that may not continue.

Councillor Price welcomed the reduction in agency funding by the Communities Directorate. However, she was alarmed at the unplanned demand increase and queried what was being done to address that. Councillor Price also sought clarity on why some agency staff were being sourced directly rather than through Comensura.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Deputy Leader of the Council, in moving the recommendations introduced the contents of the report. Councillor Heathcoat commented that the report provided more effective trend analysis than previously. Responding to the points raised by Councillor Price, Councillor Heathcoat recognised that the figures for agency staff had risen slightly although spend was relatively stable. She agreed that the use of a single supplier had benefits including more competitive rates and strengthed control.

Councillor Corkin, Cabinet Member for Cherwell Partnership highlighted the number of shared posts referred to at paragraph 21 and 22 of the report and the continued commitment to joint working. Councillor Corking also referred to a recent induction event for new staff that he had attended. He had been impressed with the interesting people he had met who had been challenging and questioning in a positive way.

Cabinet welcomed the refresh of the Cycle to Work Scheme and the removal of the limit on the loan available. This would enable free choice of the bike purchased including electric bikes. Members also highlighted the pool bike scheme that also included electric bikes.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the report.