As a member of the Council's Scrutiny Committee, I find this development very concerning and thought it important to share the following press release with you as part of my blog:
While the Borough Council
is trying to do a lot and stretch resources even further in these difficult
times, a recent Staff Survey, which was returned by only 242 (57%) of the 427
Staff Members, showed disquieting results. These results and employee fears that
the survey returns would identify respondents, raise concerns about staff
morale and the current quality and effectiveness of delivery of the Council's
services to its local residents.
It will be interesting to
see how service to the customer improves over this 1st year of AGILE
given that only 43% of staff surveyed agrees that AGILE has improved customer
service.
It is important not only
for staff morale that the service offered improves but that Eastbourne
residents feel they are getting the quickest and best service possible.
Deterioration in services
is not an option and we would hope that staff morale improves to a degree that members
feel working for Eastbourne Borough Council offers the best job security and
career development.
Cllr Colin Belsey,
Eastbourne Borough Council's Chairman of Scrutiny said "I am concerned
that such a small sample of the total number of Council employees took part in
the survey and that amongst the findings morale seems to have slipped, stress
levels are on the increase along with a perception that they are being harassed
and bullied. Much of the windy rhetoric we hear from the Cabinet Member
responsible, appears to represent a triumph of spin over substance and members
of the Scrutiny Committee will no doubt look to be reassured that staff are
more happy in their work and able to focus their full attention on improving
the service they offer residents in future".
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