Agenda item

The People Report is designed to give officers and Members relevant workforce data in an easy to understand format in order to support informed strategic decision making.

The Head of People introduced the report which provided relevant workforce data in an easy to understand format in order to support informed, strategic decision making.

It was noted that there had been a focus on reducing agency staff, particularly higher paid workers, and there had been a reduction in the off payroll workforce from 76 to 54 in the quarter. It was commented that the base pay had increased by 7.5% in the quarter whilst the headcount had increased by 1%. It was explained that the difference in these numbers was due to the national pay award, which was backdated to April 2022. It was also noted that sickness absence had increased but that this had been anticipated following the insourcing of Homes for Haringey and the reporting of historic sickness absence for 12 months; it was commented that the increases were expected to continue until the insourced staff had been with the Council for 12 months.

In response to questions from the Committee, the following responses were provided:

·         In response to a query about agency workers for projects, it was commented that the arrangements generally depended on the expected length of a project and how the Council could source the required resources. It was explained that it was difficult to provide permanent employment for projects and so alternatives such as fixed term contracts or agency workers were often considered. Longer term work or projects with more certainty of funding were likely to have more fixed term contracts.

·         It was commented that the pay of agency workers varied; those employed by the Council were paid Council rates but agency rates were variable. It was noted that it was not possible to pay agency workers less than permanent staff.

·         In relation to a query about resourcing, the Head of People noted that there was an aim to reduce reliance on agency workers. It was stated that a reduction in agency staff did not seek to give additional work to permanent employees; there were various measures to ensure sustainability, including recruiting permanent workers, redesigning some work, and seeking to make jobs more attractive.

·         It was enquired whether agency or off role workers would receive the national pay award. The Head of People explained that any workers who were on Council pay scales and who met the service requirements were eligible for the pay award. It was noted that any workers who were paid in excess of the Council’s pay scales were not eligible for the pay award.

·         In relation to apprentices, the Head of People noted that work was underway to formalise the Council’s approach. It was believed that having a Council-wide approach would be more efficient than hiring apprentices within services as there would be additional group training and networking opportunities. It was added that this would also create a stronger pathway to permanent employment. It was noted that a number of apprentices were existing employees whose training and development was funded through the apprentice levy.

RESOLVED

To note the report.