Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the progress with Human Resource issues.

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development, aided by the HR Policy Manager and Corporate Health & Safety Advisor, presented a report which provided a general update on Human Resource issues, including Health & Safety, Organisational Development, HR Delivery and HR Policy & Reward.

A total of 1532 accident reports were entered into PRIME in Quarter 2, of which 46 were RIDDOR reportable to the Health & Safety Executive.  The number of RIDDOR reports had increased by 15 between the two Quarters.  This increase had been discussed with service managers at various sub forums, with focus on the causes of the accidents.  Five of the additional accidents had been adult sporting accidents so particular attention had been paid to leisure centre accidents and their root cause.  The Corporate Health and Safety newsletter was used to communicate accident trends and patterns to all levels of staff, with advice on how to reduce them.

To recognise all of the outstanding work that was being done across the Council an aspire4excellence best of the best awards ceremony had been held.  Michael Plant, Streetscape Supervisor, had been awarded the Employee of the Year award.

A series of staff roadshows had been held to explain the challenges faced by the Council over the next few years and the likely implications for staff.  The roadshows had been well attended with positive feedback. 

The requirement for employers to enrol employees into workplace pension schemes had been introduced.  The implementation date for Cheshire East Council was 1 March 2013 but a decision had been made to utilise the allowed transitional period up to September 2017 which was when the majority of employments not currently in the scheme would be automatically enrolled in the Cheshire Pension Scheme.  The normal opt out arrangements would remain in place.  All employees would receive a letter before 1 March 2013 which would outline how these arrangements would personally affect them.

Two Health and Wellbeing events had take place in order to promote a healty lifestyle, raise awareness of important health issues and provide support to staff.  Both events had received positive feedback from employees and it was intended to put other events on during the year.