Asset Management Culture & Housing and Policy & Resources Cabinet Members – Minutes – 27 March 2013

1          (1) RECRUITMENT OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS – The Director of Places submitted a report for consideration of a range of issues relating to the difficulties in recruiting structural engineers, and sought approval for a suitable way forward.

It was explained that the Places directorate had two vacant posts of Senior Structural Engineer (grade 9) and Structural Engineer (grade 7) within the Construction Services section. Due to difficulties in recruiting, they had remained vacant since 2005.

Several attempts to recruit into these posts had proven unsuccessful, which was probably due in part to the buoyancy of the construction industry, particularly in the period between 2005 and 2009.

The latest attempt at recruitment was during the summer of 2012, and although a number of completed applications were received, none of the applicants were deemed suitable to employ into the vacant positions.

Approval was sought to make a further attempt to recruit into the vacant posts and apply a higher salary supplement to either or both of the posts in question as an exception to the council’s approved Employee Reward (Pay and Benefits) Policy.  It was anticipated that this would assist the council in securing essential structural engineering related services.

Further detail of successful recruitments in neighbouring authorities was outlined within the report, to support the recommendations.

Resolved – (a)  That a further recruitment process relating to the vacant posts of Senior Structural Engineer (grade 9) and Structural Engineer (grade 7) be approved; (b) that the application of salary supplements of 12.5% to the post of Senior Structural Engineer and 20% to the post of Structural Engineer be approved, and (c) that an exception to the council’s approved Employee Reward (Pay and Benefits) Policy for the purposes of applying the recommended salary supplements be approved.