REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

At its meeting on the 3 March 2005 the Select Committee asked for a report on sickness absence to be brought to the Committee. The purpose of this report is to provide the Select Committee with an overview of the Council’s workforce profile.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To note the report.

BACKGROUND

Workforce information is an essential part of the Workforce Development Planning cycle and is used not only to analyse current position and help identify future ‘people resource’ gaps but also to ensure that HR and people management policies approved by Members are working in practice. A summary of workforce information for the year ending 31 December 2004 is attached as an appendix to this report.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

Local government is highly ‘labour’ intensive. A significant portion of the Council’s revenue budget is spent on the employment of staff and effective people management policies and practice is key to improving service delivery. Workforce planning and regular monitoring of workforce data is essential if we are to ensure that we are able to meet future demands and that our policies are working in practice.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

There are no direct financial or legal consequences arising from this report and there are no implications under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act.

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

It is important that workforce information is monitored on a regular basis to ensure that Council HR policies and procedures are being applied and working effectively in practice. The data will also be an important component of workforce plans as they are developed as such plans will help to ensure that the council has a sufficient number of employees with the right skills to provide the services required.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

Appendix 1 - Workforce Information

Contact Point : Max Burton. Tel: (01983) 823121 email: [email protected]

COUNCILLOR REG BARRY

Portfolio Holder for Resources