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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – That the work programme, as attached at Appendix 1 to report COGC/69/23s be agreed, subject to the aforementioned amendments.
AGREED – That the Committee thank Officers for their work in this area and support the work done to date. Members welcome a further report in 2024, with an interim update in December 2023.
AGREED – (i) That the Committee thank the Officers for the report. (ii) To recommend that an evaluation of the Council's digital inclusion initiatives supporting customers as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report be included in the ICT and Digital Strategy 2024-27. (iii) To recommend that consideration be given to the inclusion of Community Agents to support people to access digital services. (iv) That the draft ICT and Digital Strategy be scheduled for consideration at the meeting of the Committee on 18 January 2024. (v) That the progress report on the final year of delivery of the current ICT and Digital Strategy include information on the Council's cyber security arrangements.
AGREED – (i) That the Council Owned Farms and Land Task and Finish Group have concluded their work and should therefore not be re-established. (ii) That the Groves Task and Finish Group be re-established with the following membership: Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Anthony Wedlake
An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Marc Jones.
AGREED – To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2023.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5 – Annual Workforce Monitoring Report Councillor Claire Lovett - Personal - family member is an employee of Wrexham County Borough Council. The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the work programme, as attached at Appendix 1 to report COGC/69/23s be agreed, subject to the aforementioned amendments.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/69/23s) asking Members to consider the Committee’s work programme. The Scrutiny Facilitator advised Members of some changes to the work programme, which were subsequently agreed: · The Quarter 4 Performance Report would be scheduled for September, and the Public Service Board Annual Report would be deferred to October. · The Council Owned Farms and Land Task and Finish Group had now concluded their work, and a report on their findings would be presented to this Committee in September. AGREED – That the work programme, as attached at Appendix 1 to report COGC/69/23s be agreed, subject to the aforementioned amendments.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the Committee thank Officers for their work in this area and support the work done to date. Members welcome a further report in 2024, with an interim update in December 2023.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 3 above) The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/52/23s) to provide Members with the annual workforce monitoring information for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. The Lead Member for Corporate Services presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. She advised that, based on the ONS data, sickness levels had shown an increase and this was higher in the public sector. A detailed debate ensued and the following topics were discussed: · Acknowledgement that the work of the Menopause Champion had been well received within the Housing Department as it helped provide support to staff who may be experiencing issues and education to younger people. Clarification was sought with regards to whether it would be rolled out across other Departments. Officers confirmed that there were a large range of schemes available across the Authority, including Menopause cafes and workshops. It was noted that Officers would also be looking at providing bespoke alternatives. · The Chief Officer Social Care added to the comments stating that within his Department, staff sometimes experienced traumatic situations, but good support mechanisms were in place to help with this, and Mental Health Champions had been shown to have a positive impact on staff. · Clarification sought regarding any internal issues and problems within Departments, and whether this had a negative impact on uptake of jobs. Officers confirmed that there were well established procedures in place which had been agreed with the Unions, on issues relating to discipline and grievance, but the importance of early intervention was highlighted, before problems escalated. · Confirmation that all Chief Officers were reviewing the use of Agency Workers, but it was acknowledged that in some Departments, particularly Social Care, it was difficult to reduce the number of Social Workers who were employed by an Agency. Agency staff were subject to the same induction, training courses and supervision, but not performance management processes. · Recognition that absence rates had increased across the whole of the UK post pandemic. Working life had changed during the pandemic, and different interventions were needed such as return to work incentives. · Confirmation that recruitment processes were being reviewed, including looking at branding and the way in which jobs are advertised, and where adverts were placed including social media. It was important to highlight the positives about working for the Council and the benefits it had to offer. · Confirmation that the Grow Your Own scheme within the Social Care Department, which was aimed at training and developing existing staff within the Authority to become Social Workers had been positive. · It was noted that the cost of living situation was resulting in more people seeking permanent posts. This was particularly beneficial in Social Care, as it provided continuity for families over long periods of time. · Confirmation that in the Housing Department, Agency staff were encouraged to apply for vacant posts. It was acknowledged that some positions were specialist posts requiring specialist knowledge which did make recruitment difficult. · Acknowledgement that it was difficult recruiting Welsh speakers, but anyone wishing to learn the Welsh language would be supported in doing so. · Recognition that in some Departments, staff had left the Authority during the pandemic for positions elsewhere, but there were signs that some were returning. · Concern regarding high levels of stress and anxiety related illnesses in some Departments. Officers advised that were a number of reasons for this, many of which related to things outside of their working life. Members were advised of the stress risk assessment which Managers were able to use as a tool for holding conversations with staff and for introducing action plans to identify issues which may be causing stress, anxiety and depression. · The ‘other’ category of illness included where staff did not disclosure the nature of the illness. · Confirmation that vacancy management was being reviewed, and only essential posts were advertised. Members stressed the importance of ensuring that existing staff were not put under more pressure as a result of vacancies not being filled. · Recognition that the employee survey had shown a positive response in terms of working in a modern way, but it was acknowledged that not all staff wanted to work from home. It was important that staff were encouraged to come into the office when needed in order to maintain team working and building relationships. · Suggestion that employee representatives be invited to attend a further meeting of this Committee when this report was discussed. Officers advised Members of the Joint Consultative Committee, where Officers share various workforce related matters. Whilst it was noted that the non-teaching JCC hadn’t met for some time, Officers advised that there had been new officials in place, and the Committee were due to meet in October. · Confirmation that the impact of the immediate HR related measures to find savings in 2023/24 could be done through the following reports which are considered by this Committee: o Workforce Monitoring Reports (including Employee survey – next one due in Spring 2024 and to include a summary of available feedback from agency staff. o Customer Access Standards o Corporate Complaints o Q2 and Q4 Performance against the Council Plan AGREED – That the Committee thank Officers for their work in this area and support the work done to date. Members welcome a further report in 2024, with an interim update in December 2023.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Committee thank the Officers for the report. (ii) To recommend that an evaluation of the Council's digital inclusion initiatives supporting customers as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report be included in the ICT and Digital Strategy 2024-27. (iii) To recommend that consideration be given to the inclusion of Community Agents to support people to access digital services. (iv) That the draft ICT and Digital Strategy be scheduled for consideration at the meeting of the Committee on 18 January 2024. (v) That the progress report on the final year of delivery of the current ICT and Digital Strategy include information on the Council's cyber security arrangements.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/74/23) to summarise the early stages of the draft ICT and Digital Strategy 2024-27 which would develop through the summer and autumn ready for publication and adoption in April 2024. The Lead Member for Corporate Services presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A detailed debate ensued and the following topics were discussed: · Clarification sought regarding the Digital Service Standard, and how it is incorporated into the policy. Officers advised that the standards were adhered to where possible during any digital redesign work. Feedback from customers also helped to inform the work undertaken. · Recognition that the Digital Team were relatively small. · Concern expressed with regards to AI (artificial intelligence). Officers advised that they were currently developing a plan regarding the use of AI, but confirmed that data would not be made available publicly for security reasons. · Update provided on Microsoft Copilot, which was a new tool currently being developed to provide digital assistance with things such as summarising web content, searching the web and creating content. · Clarification as to what help was available to support people who didn’t want to engage with online communication. Officers advised that traditional communication channels were still available. Face to face contact was available at Contact Wrexham in Wrexham Library for anyone needing help with online support. It was important to encourage those people who were able to use online facilities to do so, as that would free up resources to support those who were unable to access services online. · Update provided on the Contact Wrexham Phase 2 project which would be looking at support for online digital access in the wider community. · Officers gave an update on the Customer Access Survey which would help Officers to establish where the demand for additional help and support was. The survey was expected to go live at the end of July. · Confirmation that there were a number of projects with BT and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board ongoing regarding digital connectivity, particularly in rural areas. · Acknowledgement that some residents were worried about online safety, particularly with regards to data security. Officers advised that Contact Wrexham were providing customers with support around how to spot a scam which would hopefully provide them with some reassurances about online safety. · Confirmation that Officers could bring a report to a future Meeting of this Committee regarding some of the protections in place regarding cyber security. · Update provided on Smart Cities. It was noted that a report on this subject was due to be considered by the Employment Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee at their Meeting in September 2023. AGREED – (i) That the Committee thank the Officers for the report. (ii) To recommend that an evaluation of the Council's digital inclusion initiatives supporting customers as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report be included in the ICT and Digital Strategy 2024-27. (iii) To recommend that consideration be given to the inclusion of Community Agents to support people to access digital services. (iv) That the draft ICT and Digital Strategy be scheduled for consideration at the meeting of the Committee on 18 January 2024. (v) That the progress report on the final year of delivery of the current ICT and Digital Strategy include information on the Council's cyber security arrangements.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Council Owned Farms and Land Task and Finish Group have concluded their work and should therefore not be re-established. (ii) That the Groves Task and Finish Group be re-established with the following membership: Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Anthony Wedlake
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/70/23s) asking Members to consider the membership of the Groves Task and Finish Group and the Council Owned Farms Task and Finish Group. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report and advised that there were some changes to the membership of this Committee at Council in May. She advised that the Council Owned Farms and Land Task and Finish Group had concluded their work, so the Group would no longer need to meet again. The Groves Task and Finish Group was a joint Committee with the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee, and they had agreed that the existing membership should be retained where possible. AGREED – (i) That the Council Owned Farms and Land Task and Finish Group have concluded their work and should therefore not be re-established. (ii) That the Groves Task and Finish Group be re-established with the following membership: Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Anthony Wedlake
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