WREXHAM Council staff working flexibly from home or the office will come under review next week.
The authority’s customer, performance, resources and governance scrutiny committee is to consider a report on its Modern Ways of Working programme, and a review of office accommodation (OAR) when it meets on Thursday (April 13).
It will be presented by council leader, Esclusham Cllr Mark Pritchard (Ind) also lead member for finance and performance, and Bryn Cefn Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones (Con), lead member for corporate services.
According to the report, the council can attract high calibre employees by offering agile working, which also brings mental and physical health benefits to current employees, enjoying a better work-life balance.
It states: “Our agile working culture is key to attracting and retaining high quality people. We’re now working by default in a flexible and balanced way – provided roles support this.
“Allowing flexibility leads to a more positive work-life balance – it can support mental health and physical well-being – leading to reduced levels of stress and ill health.
“The ability to work flexibly can increase job satisfaction and make an employee feel more valued.
“It can also help with recruitment and retention – allowing more control over their own working schedule increases employees’ feeling of trust, aiding overall empowerment whilst also improving communication, creativity, productivity and engagement, leading to increased productivity.”
During the pandemic, the council refurbished some of its city centre office space, modernising facilities and making them more energy friendly, most notably its Crown Buildings.
The report highlights positive feedback received from Chief Officers and staff based there that the working environment and open plan office redesign has been positive in enhancing team working and dynamics.
But the report also says many residents are now choosing to contact the council and access its services digitally.
“The majority of our customers now chose to contact the council online at a time to suit themselves”, it says.
“Currently 80 per cent of reports to the customer MyAccount function are through self-service.
“The customer experience must be seamless with regular notifications of the progress of their request. The design of digital services must avoid customers having to revert to traditional contact methods to chase up on an enquiry.”
Support is still provided to residents who do not have digital skills or lack the technology required.
The report adds: “It is recognised that some customers are not able to access the internet. This could be due to a lack of technical skills, economic factors or poor broadband.
“A range of initiatives are being implemented across Customer Services, the Wellbeing Hub and in services such as Housing and Social Care to ensure digital inclusion.
“Projects include online support at Contact Wrexham and a partnership with the Good Things Foundation databank that provides data for those who are unable to afford it.”
Overall, the report says flexible working will help the council meet environmental targets and reduce the amount of money needed to repair and maintain buildings.
It adds: “The continued delivery of OAR will not only deliver a modern working environment but will also help to address the backlog of repair and maintenance works, reducing the ongoing repair and maintenance costs for a significant number of years – whilst also improving the lifespan of our buildings and improving the building performance helping us to achieve our carbon net zero.
“The use of technology is also reducing the environmental impact of work by cutting down on travel – whether that is our daily commute or business mileage.”
