My report to council

Posted By: Keith Swift
Date Posted: 17/10/2008

Thank you Mr Mayor for the opportunity to report to the Council the latest developments on various matters relating to the Townships and Corporate Management Portfolio.

PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

· Township Management has transformed into Performance and Development ..

· The Joint Health Unit is up and running. This new unit is jointly funded and managed by the Council and the PCT and will enable the Borough to have a co-ordinated approach to health issues.

· Feedback from Enterprising Leadership continues to be fantastic and staff want to lead the change to improve services for all the citizens of the Borough..

· We continue to drive forward the Council’s transformation change programme Stepping Up..

· We continue to update Local Matters to make it more attractive to read and more informative for citizens.

· The Service is moving to Telegraph House and will be fully operational from the new premises by the 13 th October 2008.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Pay & Grading Review

This is a massive challenge for the Authority and involves:-

· Ensuring the Members are fully aware of the potential and the challenge posed by the Pay and Grading Review
· Implementation of new grading structure for approximately 6000 employees
· Modernisation allowances and benefits
· Introduction of new arrangements for pay protection
· Responding to current and future legal risks from employees
· Potential industrial relations challenge

We have made progress in developing our response to the 2004 National Agreement.

The model outcome is however not considered to be acceptable in terms of its potential impact it would have on the organisation and services to the public. Officers are therefore working to assess whether any acceptable alternative solutions exist which will address the issues which have been identified.


Senior Managers are currently briefing employees to inform them of the latest position. The Council will be able to inform staff of the outcome for their post and start consultation regarding proposed changes to pay and conditions this will involve after options have been reassessed and approved by Members.

We understand that trade unions have recently decided to withdraw from the process. We are very concerned about this decision and have made it clear that the Council wishes to engage with trade unions and will fully consider their views and comments.

The Council has agreed to carry out a separate review of the Pay and Grading of Senior Managers using job evaluation.

Implementation of Trent HR System

Progress continues on target with the implementation of the new computerised HR system and the second phase of the project as part of the People Management Transformation Programme.

· The upgrade to the web-based version to enable on-line recruitment and self-service options for staff and managers is scheduled to go live on 16th October. The comprehensive programme of training provided for users has had very positive feedback.

· Some of the key benefits will include better access for managers to information about absence management, staffing levels, and overtime, as well as making life easier for staff and managers by letting people check pay slips, check and change personal details at any time, book leave, request training and much more.

· The first module (recruitment) will be introduced from October 2008 and there will then be a rolling programme of new modules implemented throughout the 12 months thereafter. These include health and safety, learning and development and discipline and grievance.

· The Rochdale and Oldham Teacher Supply Agency project was successfully completed to go live on the system in September.

Managing Attendance

The Service continues to support services to achieve ongoing improvements in absence rates through identification and robust management of issues.

First quarter figures to 30 June 2008 show an improvement of 0.55 days on the same quarter last year when the Council finished 4th lowest in AGMA.

PEOPLE’S CHAMPION TEAM

· The number of customers contacting the Council via the new complaints/comments/compliments leaflet, generic e-mail address and online contact form continues to increase each month.

· Six complaints have been escalated to stage three of the complaints procedure and the People’s Champion Team have carried out independent investigations. None of the complaints were upheld, however, two investigations resulted in recommendations being made to the service concerned.

· Training for Investigating Officers has been arranged to be delivered by the Local Government Ombudsman on 22nd October. Further sessions will be arranged as required.

· The team are working with the Officers from Stockport Council to develop a North West Complaints Officers Group through AGMA for the sharing of ideas and good practice. The group will be jointly facilitated by Rochdale and Stockport.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

Anne Taylor has been seconded into the role of Head of Business Partnerships in place of Mark Widdup who is seconded to the Transformation Programme Director post.

Emphasis continues to be placed on ensuring Value for Money is obtained from the Council’s contracts. Corporate Procurement are driving work to try to achieve the significant savings target to be met. This involves revising the way Council Services order goods and services to ensure that wherever possible they are obtained under contracts and at prices negotiated by the team. The online procurement system is being constantly expanded to enable this. Other IT developments such as The Chest, which allows online tendering and alerts to providers who may be interested in tendering in certain areas is another development which will assist with this. Work also continues with AGMA and other strategic partners to look at savings which may be achieved from shared services.

Client Services also continues to work closely with Impact Partnership in the provision of its services in ways which aim to create both efficiencies and jobs. In relation to Link 4 Life a visioning event is to take place shortly which will feed into Link 4 Life’s Business Plan and work is on going to ensure the smooth transfer to Link 4 Life of the Middleton Arena later this year. The interaction between the Council and its Partners in terms of ensuring the Council’s aims and priorities will be important fro the CAA.

Facilities Management‘s challenges relate to trying to ensure a cost effective service in a climate of rising energy costs and the outcome of the pay and grading review.

EQUALITIES AND DIVERSITY

Training on Equality Impact Assessments

Update training on equality impact assessments has been developed and is being rolled out to Elected Members and Service Equality Contacts.

In accordance with equalities legislation, Rochdale MBC is required to undertake equality impact assessments on the way in which they deliver their services to ensure that the needs of all customers are met appropriately. These assessments are undertaken by managers within the services and key stakeholders are consulted on the findings, recommendations and suggested actions proposed. These assessments recognise that different people may have different needs and aim to ensure that services are delivered to meet the needs of all our customers and those services are provided in an appropriate way. The actions arising from the assessments lead to real improvements in customer care and service delivery.

Elected Members have an important role in ensuring that appropriate equality impact assessments are undertaken. This process is important to promote effective decision-making.

Thank you.
Councillor Keith Swift