Issue - meetings

The Chief People Officer introduced the report. It was noted that there had been a decrease in agency worker costs since the last meeting, as a result of the work of managers across the Council. It was stressed that the work undertaken by agency staff was important and necessary, but it was stressed the cost of such a provision was high. It was additionally noted that there was an increase in permanent staff being recruited, resultant of agency staff recruitment and bringing in house of leisure services.

Following questions, the following responses were given by officers:

• It was explained that, following the last meeting and the implementation of the changes to purchase of annual leave, around 1900 days of annual leave were bought by staff, reducing costs to the Council by approx. £240,000 annually.
  
  

Cllr Carroll entered the meeting at 7.10pm

• That the number of agency workers had decreased across all directorates. It was noted that Digital Services and Properties Services had the most interim and consultant staff within its cohort.
  
  
• It was explained that sickness rates were generally higher in frontline work and lower in back-office staff. It was additionally stressed that sickness figures were consistent across the organisation and the Employee Relations team supported managers with the process.
  
  

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

1. Noted the report

The Chief People Officer introduced the report. It was explained that this was a standing item for the Committee and that there were few significant changes to the report from its previous iteration.

It was noted that there had been a steady increase in the number of permanent employees at Haringey since September 2024. It was additionally highlighted that agency staff numbers were decreasing, because of the significant efforts to reduce the number of agency staff by management. It was explained that it was expected that this reduction in agency staff numbers would continue.

It was noted by officers that there had been a reduction in the number of sickness absences from staff.

It was stressed that the financial situation of the Council was considered to be difficult and that officers would not expect significant staffing number increases.

Following questions from Members it was noted that:

·       Members questioned the number of apprentices and the fluctuation of these opportunities within the Council. Officers explained that the majority of apprenticeships in the figures reflected a significant number of current staff undertaking apprenticeships as part of their role, that it was expected that, as staff completed their apprenticeship at differing times, that numbers would fluctuate. Officers explained that employees generally undertake internal apprenticeships to improve career development. Officers explained that they would like to review entry level apprenticeships and improve the numbers of them across the Council. Members questioned whether it would be possible to monitor a cohort of apprentices within the Council to monitor outcomes. Officers expressed some concerns with how to undertake this, particularly with self-selection and bias. However, they would review possibilities of this and the possibility to introduce case-studies of apprenticeships.

·       Officers explained that the recruitment of apprentices in future would be used as a means to “grow our own” staff and ensure that agency staff were less relied upon. It was noted that this would be part of the development of the future Workforce Strategy.

·       That the number of external consultants employed at a rate of more than £500 per day was 68.

·       Officers noted that apprentices employed by the Council tended to be more local people, and that the team often worked to recruit from the local area.

·       Officers explained that the service was working to engage more with local colleges to offer some work experience opportunities that were managed well.

RESOLVED:

1.  The Committee noted the report