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New research conducted by the Municipal Year Book (MYB) has revealed that local government enjoys a low level of personnel turnover. Figures for the 12 months from July 2006 show there was a 10.06% turnover in staff, compared with 13.7% for the public sector as a whole. The rate also compares favourably with other sectors. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) recently published a report Recruitment, retention and turnover which revealed that the manufacturing and production sector had a 13.4% turnover – 3.34% greater than local government officers – while the rest of the private sector suffered from a 22.6% staff turnover, a 12.54% increase on public sector officers. In addition to those people leaving an authority's employment, a further 2.56% stayed in the same authority, but moved to a different position. This was particularly clear in councils where there had been a management restructure. The research compared the newly-updated MYB database with a copy of the data taken in July 2006. The name of an individual occupying each officer role was examined to ascertain whether the person had moved on a new role within the same local authority, or had left the local authority altogether. Of the 10.06% people leaving officer roles, 83% were women. As reported in The MJ in early September, this didn't necessarily mean there was a lack of opportunities for women in local authorities, but that transferable skills gained in local authorities were desirable in other sectors. Unitary councils saw the greatest officer turnover, with 11.23% of their officers finding alternative employment. The current reorganisation of the nine authorities granted unitary status isn't likely to reduce this figure. The restructuring will affect jobs in 35 district councils, with the expectation that many officers will be required to reapply for their jobs. The Department for Communities and Local Government's discussion paper, Council's proposals for unitary local government: An approach to implementation, predicted that unitary reorganisation would cost between 10-20% of jobs at the affected local authorities. Unison has already demanded that a framework be put in place to safeguard public sector jobs. Another factor which could have an impact on future staff retention is the current wrangling on the issue of public sector pay rises. While the strife is focused more on lower-level public sector staff, it can be assumed that some officers will join in strike action if the dispute continues. If the issue of pay does spiral to have more of an impact on officers, there is a chance that experienced senior staff may leave for better-paid positions in the private sector. By far the most stable authorities are Northern Irish district councils, which have seen a mere 4.69% of their staff change in the past months. They are followed by county councils, at 7.52%, before another leap to 9.48% for metropolitan councils. Scottish and Welsh unitaries have 9.75% and 9.92% turnover, respectively. District councils have a 10.64% turnover and London councils 11.18%. MYB's research showed the officer role most likely to change was housing maintenance, with a 21.11% turnover, closely followed by traffic management with 19.84%, and transport managers with 19.22%. Chief executives represented just 6.12% of annual staff turnover. The Municipal Year Book 2008 publishes on 1 October and contains full contact details for 40,000 UK local government officers. For more information, call 020 7973 6694, or e-mail customer@hgluk.com, quoting reference DM191. You can also buy online Dean Wanless is acting editor of the Municipal Year Book

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WHITEHALL

Nine out of 10 are satisfied

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