The Personnel Committee met to review the council's workforce profile and consider related statistics. The committee reviewed and noted the workforce data for quarter 1 of 2025/26, which is designed to provide insight that will enable officers of Cherwell District Council (CDC) to address challenges and efficiencies in the workforce more efficiently.

Workforce Profile Statistics

The committee reviewed and noted the Workforce Profile Statistics for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. The report, prepared by Claire Cox, Assistant Director Human Resources, provided an update on the council's workforce, measuring staff well-being and highlighting actions being taken to address any issues.

Key points from the report included:

• Headcount and FTE: The headcount increased by six to 632, with 15 employees holding multiple roles. Full Time Equivalent (FTE) increased by 4.62 to 519.89.
• Agency Workers: The number of agency workers remained at 35, consistent with the previous quarter.
• Turnover: The quarterly turnover rate was 3.35%, slightly lower than the previous quarter. Resignations accounted for the majority (61.90%) of leavers.
• Exit Interviews: 38% of leavers completed exit interviews. Comments were mixed, with positive feedback about colleagues but concerns about workload and the pace of work.
• Sickness Absence: 160 sickness absence incidents were recorded, two less than the same quarter in the previous year. The absence rate was 0.69%, a slight decrease from the last quarter.
• Workforce Profile: There was minimal shift in age, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation profile.
• Recruitment: Recruitment data for the last 12 months indicated that applicants are representative of the district.
• Apprenticeships: 25 apprenticeships are currently underway across various subject areas, with 5 being completed by apprentices and 20 by existing staff.
• Apprenticeship Levy: The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced a new growth and skills levy which will replace the existing apprenticeship levy and is to include new foundation apprenticeships.
• Shorter Apprenticeships: The government highlighted changes to apprenticeship operations, including shorter apprenticeships from August 2025, reducing the minimum length from 12 to 8 months.

The report also included detailed charts and tables breaking down the data by department, employment basis, reasons for leaving, sickness absence reasons and rates, and demographic profiles.

The report provided a breakdown of applicants and offers of employment made, broken down into grade groups and then by ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, gender and disability.

The report also provided details of the apprenticeships at the organisation. The organisation is using its apprenticeship levy predominantly for upskilling existing staff.

The council currently has £174,205 in their levy account. It is estimated that a further £106,244 will be received over the next 12 months.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2025 were approved as a correct record.