Agenda item

This annual report provides an account of the role of the Portfolio Holder for Business Management. It details their ambitions for their areas of responsibility, how they have and will undertake political challenge and leadership and what their priorities and ambitions are for the year ahead.

Discussion:

The Portfolio Holder for Business Management introduced her report and commended staff for the work they have undertaken, she also welcomed the proposed 5% increase for staff.

The following issues were discussed:

Pay increase – Members discussed the proposed increase in staff pay, it was commented that the pay award would support improved recruitment and retention meaning the Council would be less reliant on locums and benefit from improved services. The Portfolio Holder stated that the pay award would bring Medway staff towards some equity with other authorities within the region.

It was asked what the cost of the pay was award and whether there was any expected improvement in staff productivity as a result. The Chief Finance Officer stated that the draft budget report included provision of an additional c£5.9m for the staff pay award. The Portfolio Holder added that there was in her view, no evidence to suggest that staff were not working to full capacity.

Customer and Business Support  (CABS) – Members discussed the drop in call volumes to the Council and it was asked if there were particular departments where this had occurred and what the reasons for this may be. The Portfolio Holder stated that it was difficult to pinpoint the reasons for a drop in call volume as residents were not contacting the Council and calls to departments would fluctuate during the year. The Chief Operating Officer undertook to provide a briefing paper on call volumes received per service over the last few years.

Community Interpreting Service (CIS) – a Member commented that smart technology had improved translation services in real time and asked whether there were any plans for the service to respond to a fall in demand. The Portfolio Holder stated that there had been a reduction in some types of cases, however there had been an improved service developed for deaf users and Ukrainian. A Member commented that it was a legal duty for the Council to provide interpretation and translation services.

Blue Badges – it was asked how many applications for blue badges were rejected; The Portfolio Holder did not have the information available but undertook to provide an answer in writing following the meeting, the Chief Information Officer added the vast majority of applications were accepted.

Temporary staff – in response to a question regarding how many Children’s staff were temporary, the Chief Organisational Culture Officer stated that there were currently 56 locums covering 50 vacancies which were due to difficulties in recruitment caused by a national skills shortage, three officers on maternity leave, one sickness cover and one additional recruitment.

She added that since last April the numbers of locum staff in Children Social Care had fallen from 86 to 56, in legal services locum posts had reduced by eight, temporary staff had risen in Adult Social Care by 13 due to right sizing the service and had risen by 29 in SEND to reduce the backlog of ECP assessments. This meant that the overall number of locums had risen from 207 to 221 to reflect the rightsizing and backlogs in workload.

Medpay – it was asked what percentage of staff which have completed the Medpay process had seen an increase in pay. The Chief Organisational Culture Officer stated that in phase one, 64% of staff received a pay increase, which was mostly within the same pay band and 7% of posts were regraded. Phase two would be completed in May, however 37% of officers would receive a pay increase, with 13% of posts being regraded.

Pay and Review – an update of the progress of the pay and performance review was requested, the Chief Organisational Culture Officer stated that that performance objectives were now more effective, with short, medium and long-term goals linked to Council KPIs replacing annual objectives. There was also a career progression framework which helped the Council to identify and plan for succession and was supported by a workforce strategy for each department and leadership training and manager competency framework.

In Children’s services career points had been put into place in preparation for Ofsted inspection rather than the Medpay project, as a result turnover had reduced, and the staff survey showed more officers willing to recommend Medway as an employer.

Complaints Service – a Member welcomed the performance of staff in dealing with stage one complaints and asked for further information regarding stage two complaints. The Chief Information Officer explained that a review of the service following Ombudsman guidance was underway. It was expected that performance would improve with opportunities for automation of the system.

Loval Government Reorganisation – a Member asked if the proposals for Local Government reorganisation had affected recruitment, the Portfolio Holder stated that it was too early to tell if there had been any affect. The Chief Organisational Culture Officer added in the last quarter 143 roles had been advertised, and 122 contracts offered which represented a positive performance.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report.