Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Environment.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at its meeting on 18 November 2015 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Environment was submitted requesting an increase in the 2016/17 revenue budget to allow for an uplift of five staff to ensure there was the optimum complement of staff to operate Waste Operation and the Materials Reclamation Facility (MRF) effectively.  This increase would be partly offset by resulting reductions in agency staff use.

The Assistant Director Environment advised of the proposed change in relation to the second recommendation outlined in the report, as there was a wish to reduce the dependency on agency staffing at an early stage.

In response to a Member’s question, the Assistant Director Environment clarified that the proposed budget for agency staff was £57,000.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at its meeting on 18 November 2015 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)        the revised Waste Operations and MRF staff establishment as set out in Appendix 1;

(2)        an additional budget of £57,359; and

(3)        preparation of a business case for the deletion of the (currently vacant) post of Clinical Waste van driver to be submitted to Executive at a later date.

To consider the joint report of the Assistant Director Environment and Cleansing and Fleet Manager. 

The Assistant Director Environment and Cleansing and Fleet Manager presented a report which requested an increase of permanent staff to ensure there was the optimum complement of staff to operate Waste Operations and the Materials Reclamation Facility (MRF) effectively and reduce the dependency on agency staff use. The report also outlined other measures that had been taken to increase efficiency and reduce staff costs in these services. The Assistant Director Environment pointed out that there would be a proposed change in relation to the second recommendation outlined in the report, as there was a wish to reduce the dependency on agency staffing at an early stage.

The Cleansing and Fleet Manager responded to comments on the number of sickness absences, which included those members of staff on long term sick. There had been a recent reduction in the level compared with previous years, from 24 days average to 17.5 days, with most symptoms being more physical in nature, due to the rigours of the job.  He also referred to the efforts made to encourage and upskill staff through a number of e-learning opportunities and action taken to address members of staff facing long term sickness absence.  He would collate additional information and provide a more detailed sickness absence report for Members.  He also welcomed any Member who wished to visit the MRF to see the day to day operation, or spend some time with the refuse collection crews in their wards, some Members having already done so.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources noted and requested Executive support for Council approval:-

(1)     the revised Waste Operations and MRF staff establishment as detailed in Appendix 1 circulated with the report;

(2)     for the associated costs of £57,359 to reduce the dependency on agency staffing; and

(3)     the preparation of a business case for the deletion of the (currently vacant) post of Clinical Waste van driver to be submitted to the Executive at a later date.