Much is made of UK productivity (or lack of) and its role in economic growth but local government has been significantly overlooked. Instead councils have dealt with long-term funding pressures and reduced capacity alongside increased demands for services.
Local government is an important part of the economy, influencing factors such as planning, housing and social care, but spending cuts have weakened capacity, limiting councils' abilities to invest in transformation. By necessity councils have focused on ways to reduce demand, but high vacancy rates and skill shortages continue to plague key council departments. While it is only ‘part' of the picture, better workforce management can help improve efficiency.
The use of agency staff is often seen as a necessary evil but councils need flexibility and agility for services without always committing to fulltime roles. Insourcing contingent staff services is attractive but can be costly and requires specialist expertise; this is where alternative models can help.
Our public-to-public partnership gives agency staff control back to councils, with transparency over costs, while enabling them to respond to workforce pressures and strengthen service resilience.
A robust business case ensures risks are managed and rewards benefit both partners. Our partnerships build market knowledge and solid relationships with the community and work solely for the council, ensuring the best staff while contributing to the local economy.
Adding our second London council, Hammersmith and Fulham, early this month takes our joint venture partner councils to nine. We're proud to help them improve staff quality and retention while delivering cost control. Just as important though is the investment in relationships with local businesses, schools and colleges to link skills and capacity to the councils' needs.
The final piece of the picture is the ability to move agency staff to permanent roles when required thereby supporting local jobs for local people. The result is strengthened workforce capacity with better connections to communities helping to drive long-term economic growth and social values.
Agency staff have a vital role to play in ensuring service delivery in councils – why wouldn't you want the best you can get?
Steve Wilson is Managing Director, Recruitment, Joint Ventures, Commercial Services Group
