Councillors consider ‘digital default’ working
Councillors have urged caution over plans by Argyll and Bute Council to encourage more remote working after the Covid-19 pandemic has eased.
A report which went to the council’s business continuity committee revealed plans for working digital by default, which would see offices not being reopened.
But members attending the meeting by Skype on Thursday August 13 queried whether that approach would work for the wellbeing of council staff.
The measure is one of a number of proposals listed as part of the council’s budget planning for the 2021/22 financial year and beyond.
A review process is ongoing and it was agreed to set up a cross-party budget working group. The 2021/22 budget setting process is likely to begin in October, with the budget itself being set in February.
A report on the subject, by Kirsty Flanagan, head of Strategic Finance, said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a move to home-working and remote/virtual meetings which have worked well and council business has continued.
‘The review will consider where there are opportunities to move more to digital, not reopen properties and save on travel costs in addition to office costs, including printing which has significantly reduced during the lockdown.’
Councillor Lorna Douglas said during the meeting: ‘I have a slight concern as to whether this will save us any money, in that many companies are looking to do more blended work. Defaulting to digital is costing them a lot to set up. I wondered if that was being looked at, as it could cost quite a lot.’
Ms Flanagan answered: ‘We will pick this up as part of the review. When we were putting together the cost template for Covid, there is a reduction in staff travel as more are working from home and engaging with virtual meetings. We believe there is a good amount of savings to get.’
Councillor Robin Currie said: ‘There may be a reduction for the council as an employer, but I would probably say that there is an increase in costs to employees by working from home. This is particularly in the months to come, during winter, regarding heating and electricity costs. These and other additional costs all have to be weighed up, as does the wellbeing of employees. There are a lot to think about.’
Ms Flanagan answered: ‘We had a lengthy discussion on home-working, and interestingly Jane Fowler (head of improvement and HR) has reported through various groups that there was a reduction in absence levels. This is assumed to be to do with home-working. These are all things to be taken into consideration.’
Councillor Gary Mulvaney said: ‘The key going forward will be flexibility. I appreciate there are issues but equally there are benefits. As an employer, we need to look at how it works for everybody. The model has changed from before Covid-19, perhaps irrevocably.’
Ms Fowler then said: ‘We have done some work with trade unions in getting feedback from employees about working from home.
‘It suits some, but not others, so we have to look at it on a case-by-case basis, looking at delivering the best services we can and engaging with staff as best we can.’