The Personnel Committee of East Devon District Council met on 13 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the recruitment update for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the approval of the revised Performance Improvement Policy, and the latest People Data report. The committee also recommended the establishment of a new budget and post within the HR and Payroll Service.

CEO Recruitment Update

The Corporate Lead for Human Resources provided an update on the recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer role. The advertisement campaign, which closed on 5 April, received a positive response. Interviews are scheduled for 24 and 25 April, with the Interviewing Sub Committee set to recommend a candidate to the Council on 8 May. Specific details about the number of applications were withheld but will be included in the full report to the Council.

HR Policy Review - Performance Improvement Policy

The committee reviewed and approved revisions to the existing Dealing with Unsatisfactory Performance Policy, now renamed the Performance Improvement Policy. The name change aims to better reflect the policy's purpose. Feedback from Unison was discussed, including concerns about confidentiality, the presence of solicitors, and the recording of meetings. The committee resolved to approve the policy, subject to final amendments agreed between the Corporate Lead for Human Resources and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Personnel Committee.

People Data

The committee received the People Data report for the period up to 29 February 2024. Key highlights included:

• Market supplement numbers remained unchanged at 11 but are expected to increase due to a new surveyor market supplement in Housing.
• Vacancies increased to 44 from 29 in December, with appointments made to 10 of these vacancies.
• The average time to fill vacancies decreased from 72.83 days to 61.69 days.
• Voluntary turnover rates are returning to pre-pandemic levels, with a forecast of 8.85% for 2023/24.
• Sickness absence levels are projected at 9.76 days per full-time equivalent (FTE), above the target of 8.5 days.

The committee discussed the need for benchmarking data and noted that the Local Government Association (LGA) and South West Councils are exploring a new benchmarking service. Workforce planning remains a priority, particularly for specialised roles such as surveyors and solicitors. The committee endorsed the report.

Request for Additional Funding and Resource within the HR and Payroll Service

The committee considered a report on establishing a new 'Grow Our Own' budget to support the Council's Grow Our Own strategy and a new post of HR Operations Manager. The committee recommended to the Council the approval of a £143,000 budget for the HR and Payroll Service and £76,000 for the new HR Operations Manager post.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes 16042024 Personnel Committee and the Public reports pack 13th-Jun-2024 11.00 Personnel Committee.