To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Dudley and Saunders.

To receive any declarations of interest

Councillor Targowska declared a general interest as her husband was employed by the council as Cabinet Policy Manager.

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2016.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2016 be approved.

To consider the above report

Members considered the results of the 2016 staff survey. It was noted that the response rate of 50.6% was slightly higher than the previous survey undertaken in April 2013, although it was recognised that more could be done to improve engagement.. A different set of questions had been used this time, based on the Times Best Employer format. Members noted that the positive aspects from the survey were that the workforce was highly engaged, particularly in terms of teamwork, managers and service delivery. The less positive aspects related to staff view of leadership and stress levels. These issues had helped form a draft Action Plan, which was circulated for consideration. Where comparison of questions was possible between 2013 and 2016, results were in general less positive. Members noted that the survey had been issued at a time of major change for the organisation between January-February 2016 including the move from four to three directorates.  This uncertainty was borne out in many of the verbatim comments.

Members noted that survey was undertaken anonymously but the data could be split by directorate or service area and therefore further analysis was possible. Information on why 49.4% of the workforce did not respond was not available. The question would be raised with the Transformation Champions to see if any anecdotal evidence could be gathered.

The Managing Director commented that senior management was aware of areas of the workforce that were under particular pressure which related to the level of complaints. Councillor Brimacombe requested something in the action plan to address the issue of increasing workloads in some areas.  Councillor Jones commented that in the long term staff being under pressure had a negative impact on retention.

Councillor Dr. Evans commented that the two key issues were leadership and stress. She could see actions in relation to leadership but nothing to address the issue of stress. Members had spent a long time addressing the issue when it was raised in the temperature check survey of 2015; not enough had been done since. Councillor Hilton commented that the sources of stress needed to be identified. Councillor Jones highlighted that the council had undergone a long period of change and uncertainty therefore this was not just a factor in early 2016. She had heard comments about difficulties arising as teams were not able to always sit together under Smarter Working.

Councillor Burbage commented that the comparison between 2013 and 2016 was difficult as a number of questions were similar but not identical. Statistically there was not much difference in a number of areas.

The Head of HR explained that some of the actions in the Action Plan were to put in measures to ensure an impact before the 2017 survey. The Action Plan was split to show high level activities and those that would take longer to implement. The Managing Director highlighted the honoraria scheme that was targeted at lower level employees and for work undertaken over and above expectations. The previous lengthy process for award had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

To receive a briefing note

Members noted that this item would be discussed in Part II.

To consider passing the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 7-9 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 7-9 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act

To consider the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2016

To receive a briefing note

To consider the above report