Rutland County Council Leader Calls for Cultural Shift Amidst Budget Constraints

Rutland County Council Leader Calls for Cultural Shift Amidst Budget Constraints

In a recent meeting, Rutland County Council leader Cllr Gale Waller emphasised the need for a "culture shift" within the authority to address the challenges posed by budget cuts. As the council faces financial pressures, Waller believes that a change in organisational approach is essential to ensure its continued effectiveness.

The call for a cultural shift comes in the wake of a staff survey and the development of a new workforce strategy. The survey revealed positive staff satisfaction rates but highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in the council's approach to change.

Waller acknowledged the council's ongoing challenges, including high staff turnover, reliance on agency workers, and the need to recruit consultants for certain tasks. She attributed these issues to broader trends in local government, such as difficulty in attracting and retaining staff due to salary constraints.

To address these challenges, the council is exploring various strategies, including benchmarking salaries against other authorities and private firms. However, Waller cautioned against expectations of significant pay increases due to the council's limited budget.

Beyond financial considerations, the council is also grappling with a demographic imbalance in its workforce. With a significant portion of staff aged 55 and older, the council faces the prospect of a significant number of retirements in the coming years. This has raised concerns about the council's ability to attract and retain young talent.

The proposed workforce strategy aims to address these issues and ensure the council's long-term sustainability. As the strategy moves forward, it will be presented to the cabinet for approval.

The call for a cultural shift at Rutland County Council reflects the challenges faced by many local authorities across the country. As they navigate budget cuts and changing workforce dynamics, these organisations must adapt their approaches to ensure their continued effectiveness and relevance.