Agenda item

There will be a presentation on this item, the presentation is attached. (Please note that this presenation also covers the next item – ‘Staff Resources Organisational Development’.

Dave Thompson Programme Director: Organisational Development gave a presentation to the Panel (a copy of the presentation is on the minute book for the Panel and also on the website). The presentation covered the following:

·  ‘One Council’ Organisational Development Programme – three workstreams

·  Workplaces: Changing how we work

·  Five Buildings

·  Three workstyles

·  1.500 staff: 1,000 desks

·  Changing how we work

·  One Council – What it feels like for Services, Teams and Staff

·  One Council OD Programme.

The Panel raised the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Macrae asked about staff that did not work in offices such as drivers and also customers. The Programme Director explained that manual workers are outside the scope of this project. The Strategic Director for Resources added that there may be an opportunity to extend the programme, he stated that the point is taken regarding non office workers but that this programme tackles the fact that a lot of office staff will be changing their environment. In terms of customers, the Strategic Director explained that there is a programme for improving services to customers. William Harding, Head of Human Resources added that the ’10 in 100’ project was open to all staff, not just office staff and that there is a ‘back to the shop floor’ where the Chief Executive meets workers. Councillor Macrae stated that he was heartened in part but felt that an opportunity could be missed with the workers out on the road as they are often closest to the residents.

Councillor Myers asked if the staff survey results showed that people believed in ‘One Council’. The Head of Human Resources explained that the staff survey results had been used to inform the presentation, he also explained that the results are 18 months old. Councillor Myers stated that it was worrying that the surveys are not annual. The officer explained that smaller service based surveys are also carried out. Ian Savigar – Divisional Director for Customer Services explained that he would be working across all services on issues such as phone manner etc. He also explained that small surveys are done with customers that come in and he pointed to the fact that the new customer feedback programme would be coming in soon.

Councillor Gerrish stated that a lot of work is going on that is not yet filtering through to the public. He stated that the effort is certainly paying off in terms of the One Stop Shop. He stated that sometimes it is hard to get across to the public that in some circumstances, the Council cannot act on something due to legislation.

Councillor Macrae stated that he was concerned over the priority given to training and working from home but the priority should be answering the phone and delivery of services. The Head of Human Resources stated that much of the training referred to here is behavioural such as phone answering. Councillor Pritchard stated that there is a danger of isolation in working at home. The Strategic Director explained that the ratio of 1000 desks: 1500 people is achievable without pushing home working.

Following a concern raised by Councillor Symonds, The Programme Director explained that office moves should be minimized as much as possible.

The Chair thanked the officers.