Agenda item

The Interim Chief Executive introduced a report that provided Members with an update on the Temporary Agency Staff contract with Matrix.

Members were informed that good progress had been made in addressing the historic issues regarding the use of agency staff.  The number of Matrix placements was 191, with a spend of £6.3m, as at 31^st March 2017.  These figures were higher than the previous report, however, this was attributed in part to the insourcing of education services delivered by Cambridge education.  The Council was committed to a recruitment and retention policy, including greater opportunities for internal applicants, that would reduce the use of agency staff in the future.  The likely impact of new IR35 regulations were noted and would be reflected in future reports to the Committee.

A range of issues were discussed including how the Council would deal with the legacy of the relatively high number of agency staff that moved across from Cambridge Education.  The Wellbeing directorate had the highest number of agency staff through Matrix and the Committee requested further data on the number and profile of agency staff currently recruited in social care in the next report.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the report was noted.

Resolved –  That the report be noted.

(Councillor Bedi joined the meeting)