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Aug 2023

Last Updated: 09/08/2023

Politics

Council unaware of 'significant staff shortages' despite union concern

by Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter

| 10 Aug, 2023

North Yorkshire Council's offices in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Council has said it is unaware of “significant staff shortages” despite concerns from union officials.

Dave Houlgate, secretary at the Unison Harrogate local government branch, said local authorities faced a “recruitment and retention” crisis.

It comes amid reports that Knaresborough Castle was closed last weekend due to staffing shortages and various bin collections have been postponed.

A report before the council’s corporate partnerships scrutiny committee in June also found that demand for care workers in North Yorkshire “continues to outstrip supply”.

Similarly, the council, along with other authorities, faces a “national shortage” of education psychologists.

Mr Houlgate said a below inflation pay award for council staff would not address concerns of shortages.

He said:

“I have been saying there is a recruitment and retention crisis in local government for a number of years now.

“It does impact on service delivery and the latest below inflation pay award will not address that.”

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However, council officials have said they are unaware of any significant shortages within the council.

Trudy Foster, assistant chief executive for HR and business support at the authority, said:

“We have a staff base of over 12,500 employees providing services across the whole county. Whilst there will always be a level of turnover, which is healthy for any organisation, the council is in a good position.

“We are not aware of any significant staffing shortages affecting services at this time. However, as reported at the corporate partnerships overview and scrutiny committee in June, we do have some hard-to-fill posts in care, social workers, planning and educational psychologists. We are working proactively in these markets to attracts applicants.

“Through the work in moving to the new council we have revised terms and conditions to ensure the offer is attractive to existing employees and new recruits, ensuring we are able to retain and attract.”

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Council unaware of 'significant staff shortages' despite union concern

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