Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Interim Corporate Director of Resources which sought approval for the adoption of the Council’s new Workforce Strategy for the period 2021 - 2023.

Councillor Patterson, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Rural Issues, thanked the Interim Corporate Director of Resources and his team for the hard work undertaken to present the report to Cabinet, noting this had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, the delay had been opportune, as it had enabled learning from the pandemic to inform the strategy. 

Councillor Patterson commended officers for the ambitious plans for a workforce suitable for the future.  She spoke of the workforce being the Council’s greatest asset and she paid tribute to the hard work, dedication and adaptability of staff which had never been demonstrated so clearly as it had been over the past year. 

Central to the strategy, Councillor Patterson said, is the partnership agreement between officers, trade union representatives and elected members and she added that support from the trade unions had assisted the Council to face the many challenges that had presented over the past decade.  She acknowledged the role of Councillors Napier and Stephens in employee relations, saying their wisdom and guidance had proved invaluable and she thanked them for leaving the Council in a strong position.

In moving the report, Councillor Patterson said she particularly welcomed the rural impact assessment and the positive contribution it will make to this predominantly rural county.

Seconding the report, Councillor Hovvels highlighted the focus on wellbeing, with the physical and mental wellbeing of the workforce being at the heart of the plans.  Councillor Allen, Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Culture and Tourism, spoke of the Council’s foresight in developing a programme of flexible working, improving work-life balance and facilitating remote working which had proved essential to business continuity throughout the pandemic.

Portfolio Holder for Social Inclusion, Councillor Surtees, referred to the advantages of having a wide and diverse workforce and welcomed the adoption of the strategy which embraces diversity and promotes Durham County Council as an equal opportunities employer.

Resolved:

That the recommendation in the report be approved.