Council in call for more permanent employment
Cash spent on agency staff by Corby Council – a total of about £30,000 a month – is to go on permanent, full-time jobs.
In a move the authority hopes other employers in the town will follow, it is to recruit 10 new employees and offer one new apprenticeship each year for the next five.
The positions will include three senior technical posts, two administration staff, three multi-skilled trade positions, an electrician and a painter, as well as the five trade apprenticeships.
Council leader Tom Beattie said: “I would urge other employers to carry out a similar review of their budget for agency workers and consider whether there is a different way of doing things which will create secure employment and be more cost effective.”
The new scheme is the result of a review conducted by deputy leader of the council Mark Pengelly.
It revealed that the bill for agency staff employed by the council was rising.
He said: “It’s important to find secure employment for people.
“We hope by converting this agency spending into full-time employment opportunities it will be the start of helping to create much-needed full-time jobs in the town.
“We are asking all companies to look at converting long-term agency spending into full-time jobs.”
The move by Corby Council comes at a time when fears are growing over the security of jobs in the town after the announcements last month that Argos is shedding 440 core workers and in the region of 300 agency staff, Tata Steel is axing a further 110 staff and the Eddie Stobart depot is closing.
Solway Foods, in Godwin Road, Corby, has also revealed it may have to make workers redundant as it struggles in difficult market conditions.
Council leaders have vowed to do all they can to mitigate the jobs crisis and are to lobby the Government for Corby to be given Enterprise Zone status.
Cllr Beattie said: “Over a period of time agency staff were appointed to do work that needed to be carried out. We have focused on this spending on agency staff in the last year and it became clear that the money would be better spent on secure, full-time positions.
“The council is taking the lead on this and we would like other employers to follow.”
The new positions will be advertised in April.
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
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Subcomandante
Monday, March 12, 2012 at 11:59 AMGood political decision by this council, I'm pleased to hear this as a union activist. I doubt anyone in this town cares about the plight of employment agencies. Apart from 'LabourOut' possibly lol!
ruby123
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:37 PMLabour out as long as they are not paying millions to a so called jobs Tsar to get these people into work I am happy. On a smaller scale as long as the wages are going directly to the employee and not lining the pockets of an agency boss, then again, im pleased to see it. A good move by CBC in this current climate.
Ray Rodden
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 04:20 PMoh come ON @labourout you criticise the council for spending 'taxpayers money' and now you say 'they have not replaced 29 jobs' - surely this is what you want - no council jobs saves you so much council tax. At least be consistant in your obvious hatred of our Labour council. Seems with you they are "damned if they do, damned if they don't" FGS change your name to @middleoftheroad look beyond petty party politics and see both the good and the bad that happens in our council. most of the rest of us on here seem to
milistirith
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:02 AMThe negativity from the same old whining armchair critics, who have nothing positive to offer just cynical criticism. Considering we are currently experiencing the worst austere conditions imposed on the british public since thatchers reign of misery, our Council is doing a sterling job, Its a shame we have such a spineless MP who would rather further her own career than earn hern salary. Lets hope this initiative starts a snowball effect and encourages local employers to think twice about just who they are employing? and maybe just maybe supporting the CORBY OPEN EXHIBITION of local arts and culture in March. We have no Art gallery in Corby as such and desperately need one as this exhibition will show.
LabourOut
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:14 PMLet's be honest here the council has not replaced 29 employees over the past 2 years. Yes not a lot about that in the press. They are making 12 employees redundant but say this isn't a problem as only 2 are compulsory. Now they make a big song and dance about hiring 10. No details of what these jobs are.
Ray Rodden
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 04:42 PMSolway Foods making people redundant? - from people I spoke to I was under the impression all they do is employ agency workers and then treat them like disposable nappies (with all the conotations the metaphor provokes)
Aliss
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:31 AMAgency workers allow for a lot of flexibility, and bringing in skills that may not be present or currently available in a team. Don't slam the use of agency workers to fill holes in provision. But, yes, if the role looks long term, then that is NOT what agency workers are for, and people should be employed.
RedBill
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 09:37 AMWhat a shining example. A positive initative which everyone else should follow. I wonder how many tory-run councils and their councillors have dubious links to agency spivs who rob the tax payer and the workers. Cameron and his Chums planning on creaming profits from OUR health Service being a case in point. Again, proud to be from Corby.
sammm
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:56 PMGreat news for the people of Corby. :-)
Mrk
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:53 PMCorby has come along way over recent years - only because of forward thinking leadership - that Kettering Council could learn quite a lot from. Well done to Corby Council for taking the lead.
ruby123
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:46 PMThis is the type of news I want to be hearing from our council.
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