Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday, 21 May 2003.

PRESENT:

Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); D.G. Allen; K.B. Estlin;

Mrs S.M. Glasspool, DL; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A. Kirk; J. Waddington

203 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

204 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item.

205 WORKFORCE PLANS 2003

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the County Personnel and Training Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on the Corporate Workforce Plan for 2003/04.

The Cabinet examined first, and in some detail, workforce information and trends across the County Council with the County Personnel and Training Officer providing further information and clarifying issues in response to Member questions. This was followed by an examination of the situation in individual departments with representatives attending to present summaries of the position in each and, again, to answer Member questions. Continuing recruitment and retention difficulties were identified and examples were given of innovative ways to ease these difficulties. Links to the Council's People Strategy, the Pay and Benefits Project and the Leadership Assessment Programme were also highlighted. Other issues covered included the Council's age profile and the representation of minority ethnic staff and disabled employees. Reasons for leaving and absence levels were also covered. The Cabinet looked forward to the continued improvement in the quality of data available as a result of the introduction of SAP, and for the future identified the following topics as those on which they would welcome enhanced information:-

· Absenteeism - differences between departments


· Sickness levels


· Use of agency staff


· Overtime, and time off in lieu of overtime


· Geographical breakdowns, including travel to work analyses


Members also asked that a report be submitted to an early future meeting of Cabinet on the scope for the County Council to develop extended graduate and young person recruitment schemes with additional career development opportunities particularly in areas where there is a national shortage of suitably qualified persons.

At the conclusion of a full discussion, the Cabinet endorsed the Workforce Plan for 2003/04 and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

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