Higher pay in private firms blamed for Rossendale council vacancies
Higher pay offered by private businesses or by bigger councils are among various factors cited for a shortage of planning, finance and senior operations staff at Rossendale Council.
“The main reason cited is lower salaries compared to the private sector and other local authorities. Other reasons include opportunities to work more-agile and career progression. Vacant posts have a detrimental impact on the moral of staff and additional pressures to maintain delivery of services.” Labour Coun Marilyn Procter said: “How do salaries compare with elsewhere? How far are we from other workplaces? Does that make us less-attractive?”
Mrs Law said: “It’s both. We currently have three vacant head-of-service roles. However, a number of interviews we did recently were with officers who have previously been with the council, so staff movement can go in both directions.” Labour Coun Andrew MacNae, the committee chairman, said: “The impacts of rapid staff turnover are much greater in a small organisation. What confidence do you have that the measures described will bring significant improvements?”
He added: “This isn’t just a Rossendale Council problem. All local authorities are struggling to recruit planning officers and other roles. Private architects firms and other private firms pay more, However, we have a good environment to train staff. But it is a challenge and this is why it’s ranked as ‘red’.”
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