Issue - meetings

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting sickness absence performance and issues across the Council at the half year point of 2014/15 (1 April to 30 September 2014) and providing an update on the activity undertaken to manage and reduce sickness absence across the Council including the provision of mandatory training and regular management information.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was noted that some of the figures in the report related to very small teams.

·         Managers were being better supported in relation to the Sickness Absence Management Policy which was now being interpreted in a more consistent way across the Council.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted, but that in future reports, where a team consists of more than10 members of staff, that number should be included in the data.

(2) That the half year out turn of 5.27 days per FTE and the projected out turn of 10.54 days per FTE be noted.

(3) That progress to date relating to clearer and more consistent polices and guidance notes, management information, occupational health provision, training and one-off initiatives such as the flu vaccination scheme and participation in ‘Wellbeing at Work’ week be noted.

(4) That the future planned activity relating to wellbeing at work including the establishment of a Wellbeing Management Steering Group, pilot activity relating to the Workplace Wellbeing Charter and the establishment of a new team with a particular focus on wellbeing in the workplace be noted.

The Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted the Portfolio Performance and Resources - Mid-Year Report 2014/15 (copies of which had been circulated) for the Corporate, Customer and Community Services Portfolio which fell within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Corporate, Customer and Community Services (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to answer members questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members commented upon the delay in relation to the payment of invoices and noted that a high proportion of invoices were being paid outside the 10 and 30 day targets.

·         The Scrutiny Committee were reassured that it was proposed as part of the ’Locality Working Model’ that Councillors through the Area Committee structure would have greater responsibility for the services in their area and that the total spend (including by partners) was currently being assessed by area to ensure that budgets were appropriately allocated and that officers are adequetly supported in relation to the new ways of working.

·         There was a need to consider various forms of consultation including the ‘Review’ rather than an over reliance on ‘on-line’.

·         The Scrutiny Committee noted the income generated by the Revenues and Benefits Service in providing services to other Councils including Durham County Council and Hull City Council.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the operation, governance and accountability of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership.