Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for adoption of the Brent Council Workforce Strategy 2023-2025.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To agree the Workforce Strategy 2022-25.

(2)       To agree the proposed governance arrangements in respect of oversight of the implementation of the strategy, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

Councillor Mili Patel (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Reform) introduced a report outlining the Council’s proposed Workforce Strategy for 2023 – 2025.

In considering the strategy, Cabinet noted the four priority areas identified in relation to workforce planning; workforce insight and experience; workforce growth & development and workforce ways of working and way in which these had been focussed to reflect the developing Borough Plan and to support the Black Community Action Plan and Equalities Strategy.  In recognising the commitment and flexibility of the Council’s workforce throughout the pandemic members were advised that the strategy also sought to ensure the workforce was shaped and enabled to meet the Council’s objectives and aligned to reflect the diverse range of communities served across the borough, with initiatives to be informed through engagement with relevant staff groups.

In supporting the key outcomes driving the strategy, Members endorsed the efforts being made to formalise the approach to workforce planning, enhance staff retention and reduce the reliance on agency staff and external providers, noting that specific actions would be outlined in a delivery plan that would sit alongside the strategy.  These outcomes also reflected the recommendations made following an internal audit review of the Council’s workforce and succession planning arrangements with regular monitoring updates to be provided for senior managers as well as the Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Reform.

Having considered and welcomed the strategy, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)      To agree the Workforce Strategy 2022-25.

(2)     To agree the proposed governance arrangements in respect of oversight of the implementation of the strategy, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report.