Thursday
18
April
Political parties blame each other over council staff stress
16/09/2019 @ 12:02
"Toxic culture" at Powys County Council is being blamed for the increasing numbers of staff suffering from stress, amid political finger-pointing.
And comments made on social media point to departments decimated in recent years by cuts which is affecting the mental health of staff expected to do the same workload with less people.
Figures found by the Conservative Party through Freedom of Information requests throughout Wales, reveal that the figures of workers at all 22 local authorities are up by 18 per-cent from where they were two years ago.
Powys County Council (PCC) comes right in the middle, with an 11.6 per-cent increase from 2016/17 to 2018/19.
Cabinet Member for HR, Councillor James Evans, explained that PCC takes the health and well-being of staff seriously – providing a range of support.
But Cllr Evans went on to blame the Labour/Liberal Democrat Welsh Government for “significant funding cuts” that are putting staff under more pressure.
Labour group leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, said: “I want to thank our dedicated council staff for their professionalism and I want them to know that they are valued.
“The massive rise in stress related staff absences shows up the toxic culture the Conservative and Independent Cabinet have created in County Hall.
“Instead of playing the blame game and trying to dodge any responsibility, the Cabinet Member for HR should apologise to council workers, take ownership for his mistakes and work with trade unions and staff to put things right.”
Mike Payne, GMB senior organiser for Welsh Public Services, added: “To blame the Welsh Government for funding cuts when it is the Tories in Westminster who have cut the Welsh Block grant by £1.8 billion is shameful.
“The answer if they (PCC cabinet) are prepared to listen is to invest in staff, value their contributions, and start to accept the blame for their own political failings instead of criticising staff who work 365 days of the year to provide the people of Powys with the best services possible despite cuts.”
On Facebook, Rosie McConnell said that she knew of a staff member who had suffered mental health issues after his department was cut from seven to two people.”
Ms McConnell added: “Hundreds and hundreds of staff have been laid off since 2010, leaving a small number to do the jobs of a whole department.
“The pressure on the few who are left is immense.
“The majority of people working for PCC are ordinary working people, not the ‘fat cats’ that most imagine they are.”
Out of a staff of over 5,500 at PCC, 347 have been ill with stress this year.
In 2016/17 the numbers were 311 and for 2017/18 the figures dipped down to 286.
PCC has launched ‘Care First’ a confidential, impartial advice and support service which is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year providing practical support for staff.”
And comments made on social media point to departments decimated in recent years by cuts which is affecting the mental health of staff expected to do the same workload with less people.
Figures found by the Conservative Party through Freedom of Information requests throughout Wales, reveal that the figures of workers at all 22 local authorities are up by 18 per-cent from where they were two years ago.Powys County Council (PCC) comes right in the middle, with an 11.6 per-cent increase from 2016/17 to 2018/19.
Cabinet Member for HR, Councillor James Evans, explained that PCC takes the health and well-being of staff seriously – providing a range of support.
But Cllr Evans went on to blame the Labour/Liberal Democrat Welsh Government for “significant funding cuts” that are putting staff under more pressure.
Labour group leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, said: “I want to thank our dedicated council staff for their professionalism and I want them to know that they are valued.
“The massive rise in stress related staff absences shows up the toxic culture the Conservative and Independent Cabinet have created in County Hall.
“Instead of playing the blame game and trying to dodge any responsibility, the Cabinet Member for HR should apologise to council workers, take ownership for his mistakes and work with trade unions and staff to put things right.”
Mike Payne, GMB senior organiser for Welsh Public Services, added: “To blame the Welsh Government for funding cuts when it is the Tories in Westminster who have cut the Welsh Block grant by £1.8 billion is shameful.
“The answer if they (PCC cabinet) are prepared to listen is to invest in staff, value their contributions, and start to accept the blame for their own political failings instead of criticising staff who work 365 days of the year to provide the people of Powys with the best services possible despite cuts.”
On Facebook, Rosie McConnell said that she knew of a staff member who had suffered mental health issues after his department was cut from seven to two people.”
Ms McConnell added: “Hundreds and hundreds of staff have been laid off since 2010, leaving a small number to do the jobs of a whole department.
“The pressure on the few who are left is immense.
“The majority of people working for PCC are ordinary working people, not the ‘fat cats’ that most imagine they are.”
Out of a staff of over 5,500 at PCC, 347 have been ill with stress this year.
In 2016/17 the numbers were 311 and for 2017/18 the figures dipped down to 286.
PCC has launched ‘Care First’ a confidential, impartial advice and support service which is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year providing practical support for staff.”
By Elgan Hearn, Local democracy Reporting Service
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