Issue - meetings

The Service Manager (Human Resources and Organisational Development) presented this item which provided a ‘snapshot’ of the West Suffolk Workforce Data as at 31 January 2020 and 31 December 2020.

The Panel discussed the data presented.  Since the last update to the Panel, it was noted that there had been very little change to the Headcount and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) data.  It was noted that the main differences in the data related to turnover, which had reduced to 6.11% (from 9.14%).  This reduction was mainly attributed to the pandemic.  The Council had continued to recruit throughout the last year via virtual processes.  The stability of the workforce was recognised, along with the support which the Council had provided to staff during the pandemic.

A further point of note was the reduction in sickness absence, which was at its lowest average of 5.19 days.  Again, it was acknowledged that this may be due to much of the workforce continuing to work from home, which meant that they were able to work more flexibly around their sickness.

With there being no decision required, the Panel noted the update.