Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Councils have been praised for their
efforts and commitment to the wellbeing of their staff following a
thorough inspection.
This detailed analysis of the Councils’ ability to look after
and develop their workforce has seen them jointly awarded with
‘Investor in People’ status. Suffolk Coastal first gained IIP
status in 1999 but this is the first time that Waveney has been
assessed in a process which saw staff at both Councils interviewed
confidentially by an independent inspector.
“This is excellent news, and yet another breakthrough for the
pioneering partnership work being carried out by Waveney &
Suffolk Coastal. Given this was our first attempt at a joint
assessment and the amount of change there has been across both
Councils, we couldn’t be more delighted to learn that much of what
we do goes above and beyond the outline standard expected.” said
Cllr Robert Whiting, Cabinet Member for Resources at Suffolk
Coastal.
The report says that ‘the Partnership of the two Councils not
only meets the standard requirements of the Investors in People
award, but, would comfortably meet the standard to a Bronze or even
a Silver Award level.’ The IIP assessment states that ‘despite
continual change, and ever increasing pressures on operational
budgets and the expected standards within the diverse services
available, Suffolk Coastal now in partnership with Waveney meets
the high standards necessary to be recognised as an Investor in
People’.
The report goes on to say "In particular, it was clear that key
management processes across both Councils remain firmly embedded …
contributing to focused outcomes which have positively impacted
upon a creditable performance against a backdrop of considerable
change and financial challenges, resulting in an increasing
reputation for both Councils within the communities they serve and
beyond.”
Cllr Mike Barnard, Waveney’s Cabinet Member for Resources said:
“Around one-quarter of Britain’s working population are in
businesses which either already have an IIP standard or are seeking
to achieve it and it is a useful way to assess how well
organisations are working, and how united their staff are in
delivering its goals. Our residents should therefore be pleased to
know that our staff are committed to the Councils’ goals and by
sharing ideas can play their part in important decisions.
“Both Councils are committed to providing efficient, value for
money services to our communities and the best way to do this is
with a dedicated, motivated workforce. This report once again
confirms what great staff we have, supported by good
management.”
In the assessor’s view, “In endeavouring to manage the
significant changes resulting from reduced budgets and the
Partnership approach, the management at all levels can be
congratulated on the growing culture of inclusion of staff in the
development of both Councils and this has no doubt been a major
contributor to maintaining the overall morale and continuing
dedication for the majority of personnel he spoke with”.
Joint press release with Waveney District
Council