Elected Member Briefing - Workforce Data

About this briefing note

Report by: Fiona Thomson, HR Team Leader

Date: 11 November 2022

Subject: Workforce Data - Employees and Leavers

Responsible Officer: Pauline Johnstone, Corporate HR Manager

Publication

This Briefing Note has been published on the Council's website following circulation to Councillors. 

Details

Purpose

To provide a response to the question raised at Scrutiny Committee on 21 September 2022 regarding actions taken by the Council in relation to EU Settlement Scheme and the impact of these. 

Briefing Information

The UK Government EU Settlement Scheme (launched in 2019) ended for the majority of possible applicants on 30 June 2021. Successful application to the scheme provided EU/EEA citizens already living in the UK the right to work, study and access public funds either indefinitely (settled status) or for 5 years (pre-settled status). 

When the scheme was launched the Council developed an action plan of activity to support employees and the wider population. This involved a programme of awareness raising and support for relevant employees and managers including dedicated web page content, social media posts, direct communication with employees, in-house surgeries hosted by a legal professional and the provision of the required technology where requested. 

At the start of the programme of activity in April 2020 there were 132 employees recorded as EU/EEA nationals. This had increased to 144 as at 31 August 2022. 

Since the closure of the Settlement Scheme: 

• our workforce composition has been unchanged with regard to EU/EEA nationals (3%) 
• the number of EU/EEA leavers as a proportion of all leavers reduced slightly (from 5% to 3%)