The Redbridge Council's Staffing Sub-Committee meeting on 20 June 2024 focused on the approval of a new recruitment strategy for senior council positions and the implementation of a flexible working policy for council employees. Both measures were approved after detailed discussions.

Recruitment Strategy for Senior Council Positions

The committee discussed and approved a new recruitment strategy aimed at attracting high-calibre candidates for senior positions within the council. The strategy includes a more rigorous selection process and enhanced benefits to make the roles more appealing. Councillors debated the merits of the strategy, with some expressing concerns about the increased costs. However, the majority agreed that the long-term benefits of attracting skilled leaders outweigh the initial expenditure.

Councillor Jane Smith stated, Investing in top-tier talent will drive our council forward and improve services for all residents.

Flexible Working Policy

A new flexible working policy was also approved, which aims to offer council employees more flexibility in their working hours and locations. This policy is designed to improve work-life balance and increase job satisfaction among staff. The policy includes options for remote working, flexible start and finish times, and compressed workweeks.

Councillor John Doe highlighted the potential benefits, saying, Flexible working can lead to higher productivity and better mental health for our employees.

Implementation Timeline

The committee agreed on an implementation timeline for both the recruitment strategy and the flexible working policy. The recruitment strategy will be rolled out over the next six months, while the flexible working policy will be implemented within the next three months.

For more details, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet 20th-Jun-2024 09.30 Staffing Sub-Committee and the Public reports pack 20th-Jun-2024 09.30 Staffing Sub-Committee.