Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Joint Venture with Commercial Services Kent ltd.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the joint venture with Commercial Service Kent Ltd to supply agency workers to HCC.

An update was given on progress following Cabinet’s decision to enter into the joint venture. It was noted that the key benefits were an increased flexibility to fill gaps and the ability to control costs whilst ensuring a consistently high standard. Support was being provided to agency workers, in particular throughout the transition.

Members expressed their confidence in entering a partnership with Kent support for the joint venture. Reassurance was given that for agency workers wishing to become permanent employees, routes would be available to do so. The requirements for the company with regards to the apprenticeship levy were discussed and it was agreed that further details would be provided in a future update. It was questioned whether opportunities existed for expansion into the provision of staff for other areas of the public sector in Hampshire and confirmed that although the setup does potentially allow for expansion, achieving stability for the core business was the first priority.

The recommendations in the report were considered and it was RESOLVED:

i.              That the EHCC Committee note the programme of work currently underway to implement the new Joint Venture ‘Hampshire & Kent Commercial Services’ for the sourcing and provision of Agency Workers from April 2019.

ii.            That a further update be provided to EHCC and Cabinet in six months.