Concern over number of senior workers leaving York council

That's the view of union and opposition chiefs at City of York Council, who have rounded on the Liberal Democrat council rulers.

Labour leader Dave Merrett has hit out after becoming "extremely concerned" at the number of experienced and knowledgeable staff he says are leaving the council every year.

He claims the "brain drain" is hitting particular departments such as the chief executive's office and highlighted the "astonishing" situation in the authority's transport planning department where 22 full time workers have left since the start of 2003.

The authority has told The Press that 21 middle managers, out of 455, have left the council over the past 12 months. Four staff are currently working their notice in the chief executive's office, while Coun Merrett says many managers are frustrated at having to carry out tasks which are below their station.

He cited the example of team leaders in the York Pride office who, the council confirmed, have to man the authority's action hotline during busy periods.

Earlier this year, dozens of posts were cut as part of the authority's £6 million of "efficiency savings" to balance its budget.

Unison, the union which represents many staff at the council, said the figures were indicative of "low morale" at the authority with staff worried about the onset of job evaluations, as well as the prospects at a council which needs to make further multi-million cuts next year.

But council leader Steve Galloway today said Coun Merrett's claims were "contrived".

Coun Merrett said: "There are clear matters of concern in terms of the numbers of staff we are losing with considerable experience in particular areas, such as transport planning.

"Enormous expertise built up over the years has gone and, in some areas, this is down to the way they find the authority is being run. In terms of street environment officers, one of the issues of concern has been interference at senior member level.

"I am very concerned. We simply can't afford to have middle managers doing very basic jobs such as manning the York Pride Action Line. The authority needs to think fairly carefully about how it retains it able and knowledgeable staff."

Linda Wilkinson, of York Unison, said: "Staff morale is extremely low, budget cuts don't help, neither do PFI projects and job evaluation. Reorganisation of departments means members don't know if posts will be deleted or downgraded, so if they can find employment and promotion with other authorities or outside organisations, they do.

"Some of the voluntary resignations will have been as a result of the budget cuts, earlier in the year, and no one knows what will happen in the next round.We are concerned that if vacant posts are not filled, this will put further pressure on remaining staff. There is just the general, independent, air of despondency."

Turnover of staff not a problem - council boss

Council leader Steve Galloway said: "There has always been regular turn over of management staff at the York Council.

"The chief executive's department is currently in the course of being streamlined, as we seek to direct resources into front line services, and this may have had an effect - with some officers believing this to be an optimum time to look to further their careers elsewhere.

"As a Transport Centre of Excellence we have a regular stream of officers seeking jobs with the authority to gain experience in our world leading team. Many go on to better paid and more senior jobs elsewhere.

"It is a fact that other larger authorities and consultancies do sometimes head hunt' our high fliers and offer them salaries which we cannot match. Our strength is that we are a stable authority operating in a city with an attractive environment.

"We usually, therefore, have a good field to choose from when vacancies become available. It almost beggars belief that Dave Merrett - who was infamous for tinkering with officer reports on transport issues when he was in power - should claim that Lib Dem councillors are too intrusive. Let him produce some evidence?

"Job evaluation is actually being undertaken at the request of staff. It is intended to ensure that there are fair pay relativities between staff doing different but complementary jobs across the authority.

"Some Unison representatives have been saying for the last two decades that staff morale is poor. Internal staff surveys reveal that actually morale is pretty much stable.

"We do, however, live in a rapidly changing world and staff are right to take an interest in the problems facing the authority.

Who has left over last 12 months

Two Chief Officers.

Director of commercial services.

Deputy chief executive.

21 Middle Managers.

Food & safety unit manager.

Design manager.

Senior solicitor housing.

Scrutinty manager.

Principal transport manager.

School councillor.

Head of youth offending team.

Group manager adult.

Business promoter Science City.

Business development.

Head of community services.

Development manager. Highways quality assistant .

Principal transport officer.

Business supply manager.

Area team leader.

Access to services manager .

Senior business partner ADS.

Human resources corporate advisor.

2 * senior assistant solicitors.