Issue - meetings

To consider a report on workforce efficiencies and a review of terms and conditions.

The Committee considered a report on the development of a Future Workplace Strategy, informed by the lessons learned from Covid, feedback from Pulse Surveys of staff and discussions with the trade unions, which would set out the Council’s approach to more permanent agile and flexible ways of working.

The report outlined a programme of work to achieve efficiencies and sought agreement to commence consultation/negotiation with the recognised trade unions and staff on potential changes to staff terms and conditions. Benchmarking against comparator authorities in the North West would be undertaken prior to any formal engagement with the trade unions.

In response to questions from members, the Chief Executive advised that:

·         The three new Executive Directors who would shortly be taking up their posts with the Council were receiving regular briefings on progress with the Future Workplace Strategy.

·         The positives and negatives arising from flexible working were set out in the most recent pulse survey of staff.

RESOLVED

That the Committee

1.    supports the ongoing engagement with trade unions and staff on new ways of working and other workforce initiatives;

2.    approves the commencement of formal consultation/negotiation with the recognised trade unions on changes to a range of terms and conditions of employment at an appropriate time following a review of how the Council’s terms and conditions compare to other authorities, including those in the North West;

3.    delegates authority to the Executive Director of Corporate Services to implement any changes following consultation/negotiation, and the Executive Director submit a report on the outcome of the consultation/negotiations to the Committee prior to implementation;

4.    notes that the Medium-Term Financial Strategy savings of £50k in 2021/22 will be achieved through reduced travel costs; and

5.    requests a further update at a future meeting on the options to deliver the Medium-Term Financial Strategy savings of £350k in 2022/23 and £100k in 2023/24.