Agenda item

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the Council’s spend on Temporary Agency Staff contracts via Matrix for quarter 3 of 2018/19.

Members were advised that the increase in spend detailed in the report did not reflect the actions taken to date to reduce spend on interims particularly reduced hours over the Christmas period.  A more accurate picture would be produced for the next report. The increase in spend had largely been due to unavoidable reliance on interims in hard to fill roles and the challenges presented by the  talent pool because of Slough’s location.

Members were concerned over the length of time some interim staff were employed for particularly when covering established posts and requested further information on all placements over a year in order to consider value for money, value added, accountability and performance matters

Resolved:  That the report to the next meeting (10 April) would include:

·  reasons for agency/interim staff placements over a year;

• the action being  taken to transfer the agency placement/interim  to permanent staff;
• the cost differential between the agency/interim  placement and salaried staff;

.