Issue - meetings

The Preparing for the Future Programme will deliver changes to how we work which will streamline our use of office buildings and provide a more flexible workforce?that reflects the changes in how we now work and how we will deliver services in the future. The aim is to equip all staff to have a good day’s work by providing them with the right technology, enabling blended working, being flexible in our approach to promote wellbeing and ensuring an effective work/life balance.

Councillor Richard Samuel introduced the report by saying that the pandemic has had profound impact on the way the Council had to organise its staff to provide services.  During the past year there were over 1,000 staff members working from home which presented a major challenge to IT systems as well as establishing wholly new patterns of work. The Council had to adapt to new ways of working which had forced a major rethink about the use of office space.

The Council's preparing for the future programme sets out the next stages of the programme for which the resources have been allocated within the forthcoming budget.

Councillor Richard Samuel moved the recommendations.

Councillor Dine Romero seconded the motion by saying that it was important for the Council staff to be able to work in an environment that best suits their individual needs.  For many this has been working from home but for some this has proven to be much more of a challenge. Councillor Romero added that Keynsham Civic Centre has not been used as effectively as it could be and the preparing for future programme would allow more flexibility for the staff to consider each individual’s needs.

The Chair invited Amanda George (Interim Director of Business Recovery) to take the Cabinet through the details of this report.

Amanda George thanked the Chair and read out the following:

‘This paper follows the Cabinet paper presented on 10 December 2020 which provided an update on the property services service review and included a summary of the preparing for the future programme. This paper provides further detail on this programme of work.

The Council has for some time been reviewing the way we work. Prior to the Covid pandemic progress had been made on plans to adapt Keynsham Civic Centre to improve utilisation, provide a more modern working environment and create greater flexibility to enable more effective collaboration.

In common with many organisations the pandemic has now accelerated the progress of these plans. A great deal has been learnt, both from staff surveys and engaging with staff, about how staff have adapted to working flexibly during the last 10 months and this has meant we are able to now consider how a blended working approach, where staff have the choice in how and where they work, is possible for the future. 

The Preparing for the Future Programme?has many benefits for both the Council and staff as follows:

•  an opportunity to allow blended working for most office-based staff which will mean that they can organise their time and working location to benefit themselves, their team, and their clients.  For many staff this will include a reduction in commuting stress, time and cost and enable a better work-life balance.

•  a break-down of silo working between services and the opportunity for increased collaboration between teams leading to improved staff morale, well-being?and productivity.

•  greater flexibility and increased efficiency of staff who will be provided with the right IT?equipment?to complement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94