Agenda item

Debra Norman, Assistant Chief Executive, Governance and HR and Shane Lynch, Head of Shared Services were present for discussion of this matter.

Bram Kainth, representing Environment and Regeneration, Matt West and Simon Gaclzynski Housing and Adult Social Services were also present to respond to questions as to the reasons for these areas being the highest agency staff spending areas.

During consideration of this item the following main points were made –

·         The annual spend on agency staff was nearly £24 million and the highest spending department was Housing and Adult Social Services

·         Housing and Adult Social Services was however the only area where spend had reduced apart from a slight reduction in spend in Housing and Adult Social Services

·         The average percentage of agency staff employed compared to the  Council’s workforce was 14.6% (13.7% FTE), whereas the London Council’s average was 12.4%

·         LBI agency spend was the 4^th. highest in London

·         The percentage of agency staff declaring a disability is 1.1%, compared to 6.7% for directly employed staff, however this could be due to under reporting as agency staff may feel they may not be employed if they declared their disability

·         In response to a question it was stated that the number of redeployees was low at present and were predominantly apprentices

·         In relation to proposals for an ‘in house’ agency it was stated that discussions were taking place with the Trade Unions however as Street Environmental Services would be the main users of the service there was a need to finalise details of the revisions to the staffing structure before proceeding

·         With regard to working with other boroughs to limit the use of agency staff engaged on a limited company basis it was stated that it was difficult to get all Councils to work together

·         There had been success in recruitment campaigns to replace agency staff in hard to fill areas, especially Digital Services and it was hoped that an improvement would shortly be seen in recruitment of Children’s Social Workers

·         In relation to paragraph 6.6 it was stated that the pay rates for children’ s social workers has recentlu rocketed by almost 30%

·         In response to a question Members were informed that there were 190 vacancies in public realm and 30% of the workforce employed were agency staff which was a common figure across the industry and there was a need to ensure there could be a response to daily situations. Vacancies had been held to ensure no compulsory redundancies would be needed and it was anticipated that 75 of the agency staff would be able to be transferred into permanent positions and it was hoped in the next few years to reduce agency staff even further

·         The Chair stated that once there were proposals in place on the above these should be presented to the Committee and Councillor Webbe, Executive Member for Environment should present regular updates every 6 months to the Committee on progress

·         With regard to Greenspace this had been brought ‘in house’  and there were 35 agency staff at present and there were 20 vacancies and there were 17 seasonal workers and it was anticipated that the 20 vacancies were filled with permanent staff

·         Simon Galczynski referred to Adult Social Care and that a large number of social worker posts were vacant as part of the transformation process and consultation was taking place with staff with a view to reducing agency spend by over £1m, In addition home care there had been no compulsory redundancies and agency spend would be reduced, however there would be a need to retain a pool of agency staff

·         It was noted that the agency spend quoted in the report of £3m appeared to be at variance with HASS figures and that he would come back to the Committee with updated figures and proposed reductions in agency use following the transition period

·         Discussion took place as to responsive repairs and it was stated that there should be an update to the Committee in 6 months on progress on reducing agency staff

·         Members congratulated the Head of Digital Services for the excellent recruitment campaign in relation to Digital Services staff that had seen a significant reduction in the numbers of agency staff employed in that area

·         In response to a question ít was stated that the Head of Human Resources should provide Councillor Doolan with update figures for Enviromental Services staff transferred under TUPE terms and conditions

·         Following discussion it was stated that consideration should be given to anything that could be put in place to plan ahead on redundancies to match staff to posts, in order to save on redundancy costs

·         It was stated that consideration should be given to discussions taking place with local universities/schools on a ‘grow your own’ training programme in Digital Services for school leavers/graduates

·         Reference was made to the fact that there still would be a need to retain 75 agency staff to cover even if 75 staff were recruited on permanent contracts  and there would always be a need for some agency staff

·         The Executive Member Finance and Performance stated that whilst encouraging progress was being made in reducing agency spend  there was still a need to reduce this further as costs were still too high

RESOLVED:

(a)  That discussions continue to take place with the Executive Member Environment to reduce the numbers of agency staff in the department and 6 monthly updates on progress be submitted to the Committee thereon

(b)  That the Director of Housing and Adult Social Services be requested to report back to the Committee on the up to date agency spend figure in the department and the proposed reductions in agency usage following the transition period

(c)  That the Quarter 3 Performance report contain performance data on LBI housing repairs

(d)  That the Assistant Director HR and Governance provide updated figures for Environment and Regeneration Department transferred to the Council under TUPE arrangements

(e)  That the Head of Human Resources be requested to provide details of whether procedures can be put in place to plan ahead for redundancies in order to match staff to potential vacancies in order to reduce redundancy payments

(f)   That the Head of Human Resources be requested to liaise with the Head of Digital Services as to whether a ‘grow your own’ training programme should be developed with local universities/schools for graduates and school leavers

The Chair thanked Debra Norman, Bram Kainth, Simon Galczynski and Matt West for attending