Agenda item

The Committee considered a verbal report (Agenda Item 6) which provided an update on the tools available to recruiting managers within the Council, including assessment centres and psychometric testing and training provided in recruitment skills.

Robert O’ Reilly informed Members that an Investors in People assessment had taken place about three before this meeting. The assessor had interviewed around 40 members of staff and a few elected Members. Initial feedback had confirmed that the Council had received IIP accreditation for the third time and it would be valid until 2017. The assessor would be attending the Corporate Board meeting on the 10 December 2013 to provide feedback and set out recommendations for the Council. It was noted that approval had been granted by the Executive to fund a Leadership Academy from 2014 onwards.

Robert O’ Reilly outlined the HR Services that were provided to assist managers with recruitment. Basic services included job evaluation for new and changed roles, establishment control and access to on-line advertising website (Jobs Go Public).

Managers undertook their own shortlisting and once this was done HR were responsible for contacting successful applicants and sought references for them too. Following the interview process HR undertook pre-employment checks, provided a conditional offer to applicants and prepared a contract of employment for the successful applicant.

In addition HR provided an Occupational Testing service and administered an Occupational Personality Questionnaire when requested by recruiting managers. In addition they also assisted with the development of Assessment Centres for key posts. A small charge was made to cover the cost of materials. The Council used tests from SHL who had been a leading provider in this area for a number of years.

HR also provided advice on all aspects of recruitment, via the telephone or dedicated email and drafted policies and procedures and advice which were located on the HR pages of the intranet. HR also offered training via e-learning and face to face testing. Recruitment training had recently been reviewed. The current course had been reduced from two days to one. Officers attending the course were required to undertake an online course which set out procedures etc before attending the one day session. This training focussed on interviewing skills such as questioning and listening.

Robert O’ Reilly reported that a request had been received from Jan Evans and Stephen Stace to place a banner advert in a local newspaper to attract applicants for roles in Social Services. It was noted that this was contrary to a decision made previously at a Personnel Committee meeting. They had however sought an exception as they felt that the Jobs Go Public website would not attract the type of applicants they were looking for. The Committee agreed that they could do so provided that it was funded from their own budgets and that the Head of Service considered placing the advertisement in the Reading Chronicle and the Marlborough News in addition to the Newbury Weekly News.

Councillor Quentin Webb thanked officers for the update.

RESOLVED that Adult Social Services be permitted to place a banner advert in the Newbury Weekly News as requested and that the Head of Service to give consideration to placing the advertisement in the Reading Chronicle and the Marlborough News as well