Annual Report 2012.pdf (size 5.8 MB) - Offaly County Council

HUMAN RESOURCESThe key functions of the Human ResourcesDepartment are the management and development ofHR policies and procedures, the provision of supportfor line managers across the organisation, workforceplanning and staff recruitment, training anddevelopment, maintaining stable industrial relationsand creating a consultative and supportive workingenvironment.Workforce Planning and AnalysisIn 2012, almost 20 significant data requests issued tothe HR department from the Local GovernmentEfficiency Review Office, the Department ofEnvironment, Community and Local Government andthe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, theValue for Money Unit of the Local Government AuditService and the Local Government ManagementServices Agency and other sources.A report on Workforce Planning in the localgovernment sector issued to all Local Authorities inlate 2012. This set out the required staffing levels atsenior and managerial grades and the on-goingrequirement to examine all indoor and outdoorstaffing levels with a view to ensuring the optimumand most efficient staffing levels for the delivery oflocal government services.Moratorium on Public Service RecruitmentOffaly County Council continues to comply with themoratorium on public service recruitment. ThisCouncil has had a policy of non-replacement ofretiring/departing staff since September 2008 exceptwhere an essential, statutory or public health andsafety need exists. Offaly Local Authorities havesustained an almost 27% reduction in staffing levelssince 2008 without any significant reduction in servicelevels. It is recognised and acknowledged that staffcontinue to deliver efficient and effective localgovernment services to the citizens of Offaly in thecontext of reduced staffing and financial resources.Notwithstanding the moratorium, Offaly CountyCouncil held the following competitions in 2012; Acting Executive Technician (Environmental); Acting Senior Staff Officer (Confined); Acting Senior Executive Engineer (Confined); Acting Executive Engineer (Confined);Offaly Local Authorities Annual Report 201287