Issue - meetings

To provide an update to the Joint Committee on the Orbis Human Resources and Organisational Development function which is progressing its integration journey required to deliver the efficiencies identified in the original Orbis Business Plan.

The Committee considered the presentation on the Departmental update on the Human Resources and Organisational Development team, introduced by Sergio Sgambellone.

Witnesses:

Kevin Foster, Chief Operating Officer, East Sussex County Council

Adrian Stockbridge, Orbis Programme Manager

David Kuenssberg, Executive Director of Finance and Resources, Brighton & Hove City Council 

Sergio Sgambellone, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, East Sussex County Council

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    Sergio Sgambellone ran through the presentation slide deck which set out the progress made towards integrating the Human Resources and Organisational Development functions (HROD) of the partner authorities.

2.    Members asked questions regarding the relationship with Unions, with particular reference to Brighton & Hove.  It was acknowledged that BHCC brought a new dynamic to the partnership but confirmed that the Orbis leadership had been consistent throughout the integration period.  Relationships with the Unions are based on listening to the needs of members, and it had been acknowledged by the two major Unions that the partnership was a preferable outcome to outsourcing, given the public sector ethos of Orbis.

3.    In response to questions about staff engagement, Sergio Sgambellone set out the HROD policy of quarterly meetings at each authority, that are recorded and shared with the partner authorities.  Staff are encouraged to submit ideas to improve performance and share best practice across the partnership.     

RESOLVED:

Members noted the presentation.