Agenda item

R Winter presented the Committee with the Strategic Risk Register which included two main strategic risks owned by the Executive Director of Core Services:

·       Organisational Resilience

·       Emergency Resilience

Members queried the metrics used to track staff wellbeing and leadership ability. W Popplewell explained that there was a delicate balance as management needed to recognise employees that were struggling and engage in conversation. This could be difficult to track, quantify and measure making it essential that leaders had the correct training and confidence to tackle these issues.

Concerns were raised around the training of leaders and how it would ensure the risk changed from amber to green. W Popplewell, Executive Director Core Services, explained that absence data in teams could be tracked (including mental health absences).

Members queried if the HR team collated any qualitative feedback around wellness. W Popplewell responded that absence monitoring, and manager conversations were mainly used to track wellness.

A discussion was taken around the organisational changes and productiveness following the pandemic. W Popplewell explained that although officers were required to be in the office three days each week, managers and leaders were required to check in with their teams. Employees had benefited from the hybrid working system and the organisation had embraced the change.

A discussion was taken around the rate of absences, members asked if there was a decrease following the hybrid working system. W Popplewell stated that the absence rate was in line with the rest of the county, however in comparison to other Authorities Barnsley was considered to be lower.

A discussion was taken around recruitment and retention, officers explained that there was a balance to be considered as other authorities have different terms and conditions which may be more attractive to potential applicants in turn meaning agency staff were being considered. Members asked if there was any analysis on which terms and conditions would benefit Barnsley specifically. W Popplewell stated that the main factor was working arrangements and flexibility, there are talks to conduct interviews with employees related to the reasons why they chose to stay within the organisation.

RESOLVED - That Members noted the update.