A COUNCIL initiative aimed at plugging a brain drain of staff away from the local authority by becoming an 'employer of choice' has been welcomed by elected members.

Municipal buildings bosses have drawn up an action plan to support the recruitment and retention of workers - including a proposal to reduce the working week from 37 to 35 hours.

The council has also adopted a policy to assist staff in being promoted through the ranks by helping them gain professional qualifications for higher grade jobs.

Members of the policy and resources committee approved a series of recommendations put forward by council officers at their latest meeting.

Councillor David Wilson said: "I really do welcome the move from 37 to 35 hours. 

“That has affected us badly in terms of retaining and employing staff and it is very good to see that we could have a resolution before the end of this year.” 

The council's flexible working policy could also be updated to include hybrid working.  

This would allow council employees to work in office and at home, with the split depending on their role and responsibilities.  

There are also plans to allocate funding of around £100,000 for the payment of professional qualification fees for students. 

It is hoped this will support recruitment and retention of professional roles across the council and attract graduates to roles that are difficult to fill. 

This initiative will also provide a path for promoting from within the council.  

Morna Rae, interim head of organisational development, policy, and communications, told the committee: “The primary intertest came not from services, not to externally use that funding but to provide developmental opportunities for existing staff to support them, to receive professional qualifications that allow them to support a gap within Inverclyde Council.”