Health Safety & Wellbeing
Renfrewshire Council · 3 April 2025
Back to Joint Consultative Board (Non-Teaching) — 3 April 2025 and its agenda
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2 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching On: 3 April 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Activities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary This report outlines the activities which have taken place since the last meeting of the Joint Consultative Board: Non-Teaching in February 2025. This report demonstrates the Council’s continued commitment to ensuring the health, safety, welfare, and wellbeing of our employees. It supports the aims of the “Our People, Our Future” strategy, the Health and Wellbeing Plan, the Councils’ values and contributes to the delivery of best value outcomes. _________________________________________________________________ 2 Recommendations 2.1 This report is for information only and to note that this is a retrospective record of health, safety and well-being activities undertaken by the Council’s People and OD teams in collaboration with other council services. _________________________________________________________ 3 Background 3.1 To support employee wellbeing, People and OD, continue to raise awareness of key health and well-being topics. RenTalks, supported by Timefortalking on Supporting Menopause and “Raising teens” took place during February. Feedback from attendee’s was exceptionally good.
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3 3.2 People and OD continue to work in collaboration with RCA Trust to provide colleagues with specialist support, training, and advice on gambling addiction. ‘Bet you can help now’ training continues to be rolled out and an ILearn version is in development. 3.3 People and OD continue to work collaboratively with our colleagues in the NHS/HSCP, to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland employer. Training will be rolled out to the Customer Contact Centre employees initially, to provide advice and for signposting people to available facilities and Council locations out with Renfrewshire House. Developed of the module on iLearn for all employees is in the final stages. A Council website page is being created in the staff information section that will include guidance around reasonable adjustments. 3.4 As part of the Council’s procurement process, the Health and Safety team review documentation from suppliers when they tender for Council contracts. During the reporting period, the team assessed 19 high risk contracts. 3.5 The Health and Safety team continue to support the Council’s construction activities. Since the last JCB meeting, the team have been involved in meetings/site visits for the following projects: the new Paisley Grammar, City Deal, Park Mains High School extension and the new bridge, as well as other smaller projects within the school estate. 3.6 The Council’s Workplace Inspection Programme which looks at the welfare and safety arrangements across the Council’s estate has progressed since the last report to the JCB, with the Council’s Health and Safety Team carrying out 9 site visits. 3.7 The Health and Safety team are regularly requested to respond to Freedom of Information/Subject Access Requests on behalf of the council in relation to health and safety issues. 11 have been processed since the last JCB. 3.8 In support of the Council’s Corporate Events Plan, events planning for 2025 has begun. The primary focus has been on the Food and Drink Festival in April and the Halloween event. 3.9 The Council’s health surveillance programme is delivered through our occupational health team and the focus is currently within the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure and Building Services teams. 3.10 Protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our workforce remains a key priority as defined in the Council’s new Health and Wellbeing Plan. Training for colleagues who are already mental health first aiders on how to support colleagues with specific types of mental health conditions began late last year with further sessions planned during 2025 will be delivered on Suicide, Depression, Self-Harm and Psychosis. The Council’s mental health first aiders
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4 support our workforce by initially providing a safe space to discuss mental health concerns and signpost to the available specialist support in areas such as financial or psychological wellbeing. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - Continuing to improve health and safety performance will reduce accidents/occupational ill health, claims and the costs associated with this. 2. HR & Organisational Development This report supports the Councils commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of Renfrewshire Council employees. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is well – this supports our workforce who live in Renfrewshire. • Our Renfrewshire is safe – good health and safety practices provide safe services. 4. Legal - This report will support the Council’s continued compliance with current health and safety legislation. 5. Property/Assets -Ensures compliance. 6. Information Technology -The E-management systems require to be facilitated through the Council’s Businessworld system. 7. Equality & Human Rights - (Please select the statement applicable to the recommendations contained within this board report and delete remaining statements) (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website.
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5 8. Health & Safety - This document supports and demonstrates the council’s commitment to ensuring effective health, safety, and well- being management. 9. Procurement - Demonstrates compliance and governance. 10. Risk low impact as legal and statutory requirements are being maintained. 11. Privacy Impact – not applicable to this report. 12. Climate Risk - none 13. Children’s Rights - none 14. Cosla Policy Position - None _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Steven Fanning, Strategic Lead Partner (Health & Safety) Finance and Resources, telephone 07747790211 e-mail steven.fanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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