Issue - meetings

Gary Summerfield (Health and Safety Tech Specialist) presented the report on health, safety and wellbeing which followed the same new style as the previous two items. He reiterated that EDI, absence, and safety were reported on jointly to present a holistic picture, to engage better with staff and to make more informed decisions going forward. Gary Summerfiled highlighted the main points as set out in Section 2 of the report  

In response to Councillor Horner, Gary Summerfield stated that any accidents that happen at home (while the person is working) should be reported to see if there are any steps that the Council as the employer should be taking to ensure safe home working and to identify if there were any trends. Each matter reported would be considered on a case-by-case basis, but the information would feed through to ensure an overview could be maintained and monitored. Gary Summerfield concluded that muscle-skeletal and posture were the main concerns for the year as people worked more hours at home with fewer breaks away from the screen.  

In response to Councillor Kettle, Gary Summerfield stated that the Council had a duty of care to its officers so staff would be provided with any equipment that they reasonably need to do their jobs. Andrew Felton (Assistant Director – Finance) added that additional funding was available to members of staff, with the support of their line manager, so that any extra equipment required to do their job could be purchased i.e. display screens. 

Resolved

That the Staff & Pensions Committee:

1. Notes the achievements in relation to the services response to the COVID Pandemic. Highlights of these achievements are summarised in the annual review report.

2. Notes the ongoing work to develop a new health, safety and wellbeing delivery framework outlined in the annual review report

3. Notes and supports the development of our technology platforms to improve essential data collection as outlined in the annual review report.

4. Supports the key focus areas for 2021/2022 as set out in the annual review report.

5. Considers for future committee reports whether the need for the summary health & safety performance data is required to be included as part of this cover sheet, or whether the annual review report would be sufficient for the committee.