Category: Employment and Appointments

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 7

Cllr Davies asked what the speed of the decision would be. He was answered that it would be made within the next couple of weeks. Cllr Green said it was a “very, very big exercise”. It was a “huge exercise” that was “emotionally and physically demanding”. It was the “biggest exercise ever done” and had … Continue reading “Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 7”

Cllr Davies asked what the speed of the decision would be. He was answered that it would be made within the next couple of weeks.

Cllr Green said it was a “very, very big exercise”. It was a “huge exercise” that was “emotionally and physically demanding”. It was the “biggest exercise ever done” and had been done “humanely”. He said he’d like to place on record his thanks to Chris and her team.

Cllr Bridson said she was happy to support this.

Cllr Davies said he would like to register his concern at the speed with which it was done. He feared for the viability of services left and he needed to register that.

Cllr Green said the work people had put in was “Herculean”. Cllr Bridson said that a yes and gave thanks to the committee.

The committee agreed the recommendations and moved onto item 6 – Managing Attendance.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 6

The committee agreed the recommendations and moved onto item 5 – Update on Managing Workforce Change and Redeployment.

An officer introduced the report saying it was an update in relation to ongoing workforce change. Work continues to deliver the resolution. Since the last report of the 63 people on the register, 11 had taken EVR and a further nine were due to leave within the next 6 months. They were tied up in reviews and the exit strategy. There were other opportunities.

Cllr Davies referred to paragraph 4.6 and asked how many on top of the 1,100? 200 had an opportunity for voluntary severance, what was happening to the others?

The answer given was that they were seeking re-employment options and would go onto the redeployment register.

Cllr Davies asked for a list of post for the 220.

Cllr Green said the issue was in the resolution and he had had notes from members of staff. Some people decided to carry on working, however now they see large number of their colleagues have gone. In those circumstances, there was a concern about the reduced terms. Speaking to people who were affected he felt they should be offered the same terms as their colleagues. It was important that they didn’t feel they were affected adversely by going with the others. It was important to deal with people as fairly as possible with these enhanced arrangements.

Cllr Davies said it would be helpful to know the timescale for this.

The answer given was that they had an opportunity to apply which would close on Monday.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 5

Cllr McLaughlin continued that it would be interesting to see if it had no impact. When it was extended there would be cost implications if the service cough an’t be provided. She disagreed with the report as she said it was “not quite right” as there would be a continuing cost to the authority,

Cllr Holbrook said he assumed the cost was budgeted for.

Cllr McLaughlin said she disagreed.

The answer given by an officer was that it was an ongoing cost to departments. Cllr Green said he had asked a question at the last meeting about the implications of stopping or extending and carrying on. One option was once the tender process had gone through they accept the contract. The sad thing was about partnering with a different organisation. Unfortunately they were not able to yet. Regarding Merseyside authorities the contract can be extended to included different authorities and was relatively straightforward. There was an overall value to the contract. A large proportion of those signposted were from schools. Any work done would have to take into account whether schools were making use of the contract and the implications of academies. Academies could buy in being charged the full cost of recovery or there would just be fewer numbers which would drive the value down.

The director of Education said that 2/3rds of schools had replied. Schools were not looking elsewhere and it would be discouraged. Academies had responsibilities to their employees so the decision rested with them.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 4

Cllr Bridson said that “Managers need to manage the situation”.

Cllr Green said he had read in the report something about hot-desking and home-working. People tended to stick things on dongles. He had concerns about data integrity and security of Wirral Council’s information assets.

The answer given was that regarding mobile home working such responsibilities were born by the individual employee.

The committee agreed the recommendations and moved onto discussion about the Occupational Health Contract.

An officer introduced the report by saying they had looked at the issues and were looking at opportunities. Wirral Council wanted to work with partners specifically Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service whose occupational health had won awards. They needed to check the final position. They would continue retendering the process. There were concerns about the cost of the service. They needed to manage demand because of the unit cost. They needed to make referrals for stress earlier and signpost employees to the employee assistance program rather than occupational health as it was more cost effective. They were going to screen referrals with this in mind, but it was a work in progress.

Cllr McLaughlin said there was good ise of the occupational health service. It was an important part of the absence management. She was concerned about the reduction is referrals to occupational health. It might affect sickness levels.

The answer given was that if there was a “legitimate need” it would take place. The employee assistance scheme provided counselling at a flat rate. There were ways of managing it.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 3

Cllr Green said he accepted the framework and policies. Westminster House was an example of an individual project. In the project plan was how these tools, IT and performance management would be implemented. It was a key element of the change management process. It was open to any scrutiny committee to look at. He had been hearing about the views the of the Director of Adult Social Services on co-location with GPs. It was all being formulated.

Cllr Bridson said she assumed the chief officers were collecting and assessing. She thought we needed to keep a really careful eye on it. Wirral Council needed to offer services alongside saving measures.

Cllr Green said Wirral Council was better at project management. There was “a plan”. There was also a post-implementation review. Lessons would be learnt. He thought the committee will need a further report and needed to know how things were moving.

Cllr Holbrook said he had indicated to talk but Cllr Bridson hadn’t been looking. Cllr Bridson said she can’t normally ignore him. Cllr Holbrook said they needed to discuss what was in it for the Council. He told them not to forget that efficiency savings were an employee benefit which enabled people to work more efficiently. It would also accommodate people’s personal circumstances and be a flexible employee benefit.