Agenda item

To receive an update on progress with Health and Safety, Human Resource and Organisational Development items 

The Committee considered a report on the progress with Health and Safety matters.

The report provided details of the number of health and safety courses undertaken, the inspections carried out and the accident and incident figures reported on PRIME in quarter 4. 

It was noted that the Health and Safety Team had been awarded their fourth consecutive RoSPA Gold Achievement Award and had also received a Commended Award in the RoSPA Public Service and Local Government competitive Sector.

The Committee was concerned about an incident at the Registration Service in Macclesfield and asked for further information including if the incident had been reported to RIDDOR, had support been provided to the member of staff and whether the incident had been reported to the police.

The Committee considered a report on the progress with Human Resource and Organisational Development matters.

The report provided details on progress with the Council’s Workforce Strategy, Organisational Design, Leadership and Management training, the Corporate Training programme, staff recruitment and retention, reward and recognition, the Council’s sickness absence rate, and provision of Education HR Consultancy.

It was reported that in relation to Workforce Priority reporting, a review of the format and data included would take place and in future would report against service objectives.

A collaborative procurement between Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Warrington Councils for Occupational Health services was under way, with tender submissions being required by 19 April 2016.  The tenders would then be evaluated and is was anticipated that a decision would be made by the end of May with the new contract to start on 1 September 2016.  The Committee requested details of the performance standards required of the future supplier of the service.

It was reported that the first ‘Aspiring Managers’ programme had been completed with a 100% pass rate.  Further cohorts had been requested and would take place during 2016/2017.  The outline programme for these sessions would be shared with Staffing Committee members.

The Committee asked about the impact of the Government’s announcement to change all schools into academies and the effect this could have on the Education HR Consultancy Service.  It was agreed that an update would be brought to the next meeting.

Details of the HR performance data were included in the report.  In relation to the FTE by headcount, the Committee stated that they found the year on year comparison data difficult to understand due to the restructuring and changes in department names and asked if an explanatory note could be added to aid understanding.  It was also requested that an estimated net position be provided and include the number of staff transferring to ASDVs. 

The Committee asked if additional information could be reported which showed the expected salary and pension contributions saving over time using the wage bill of employed staff and agency workers.  It was agreed that Officers would explore if this was possible.

The number of cases being investigated under formal procedures was noted.  The Committee felt it would be useful if they could observe an Employment Tribunal to help their understanding and learning in relation to the Appeal hearings.  It was agreed that the Head of Strategic HR would notify the Chairman of the Staffing Committee of the dates of any Employment Tribunals and that consideration be given to awareness training to support Members should they be required to attend as witnesses.

RESOLVED:  That

1          the report be noted;

2          further information be provided to Staffing Committee members on the incident at Macclesfield Registration Service;

3          details of the performance standards in the Occupations Health tender document be provided to Staffing Committee members;

4          details of the Aspiring Managers programme be shared with Staffing Committee members;

5          an update be brought to the next meeting on the impact of all schools becoming academies;

6          the HR performance data format be amended to include an explanation note on restructuring in the FTE year on year comparison figures and to include an estimated net position;

7          the Head of Strategic HR to inform the Chairman of Staffing Committee on the dates of Employment Tribunals and awareness training be provided on being a witness at the Tribunals.