Environmental Services Seasonal Staffing
Decision:
*RESOLVED –
1. That up to 6 additional seasonal staff be added to the Environmental Services establishment to cover horticultural works during the peak season of March – September.
2. That the Assistant Director - Commercial Services be granted delegated authority to recruit to the positions and to further positions for the next three years.
REASONS FOR DECISION
1. To be able to properly resource the recently awarded works for the Council’s Garden Assistance Scheme.
2. To provide additional capacity to the service during a ‘peak’ time of service activity.
Minutes:
The Assistant Director – Commercial Services submitted a report seeking approval to appoint up to 6 additional seasonal staff as part of the Environmental Services establishment to cover horticultural works during the peak season of March - September.
Environmental Services underwent a restructure in November 2016 and it was highlighted that there were opportunities to operate the service on a more commercial basis through a reduction of external expenditure on sub-contractors and increasing the amount of income being generated.
The Arboriculture Service had been insourced during Autumn 2018 to reduce reliance on sub-contractors and to provide additional service capacity to operate on a commercial basis. The service had successfully won the tender for the Council’s Garden Assistance Scheme and additional staff would be required from March – September to assist in the delivery of the scheme.
Environmental Services had been preparing for the new growing season and aimed to offer an improved service from the previous year. Improvements had been made through reviewing working practices, increased quality inspections and further involvement of Ward Members to improve accountability.
Additional seasonal staff would be required to provide the extra capacity required to operate the service in the peak summer growing period.
The report included details of the financial implications and noted that there would be sufficient budget available to fund the additional positions.
*RESOLVED –
1. That up to 6 additional seasonal staff be added to the Environmental Services establishment to cover horticultural works during the peak season of March – September.
2. That the Assistant Director – Commercial Services be granted delegated authority to recruit to the positions and to further positions for the next three years.
REASONS FOR DECISION
1. To be able to properly resource the recently awarded works to for the Council’s Garden Assistance Scheme.
2. To provide additional capacity to the service during a ‘peak’ time of service activity.