HOUSING affordability and competition from local employers have been earmarked as challenges for the council’s recruitment and retention of staff.

A report prepared for the audit committee for Westmorland and Furness Council said the authority has been faced with several recruitment challenges since local government reorganisation took place.

According to the Local Government Association, 94 per cent of councils are experiencing recruitment and retention difficulties with authorities across the country facing challenges in recruiting in areas such as social services, education and healthcare.

The report states: “This national picture is reflective of the challenges being experienced by Westmorland and Furness Council which if not tackled effectively has the potential to affect workforce morale and wellbeing, and ultimately impact upon service delivery.”

It adds the ‘rising cost of housing’ can impact the council’s ability to attract staff, particularly from urban areas.

Other local challenges mentioned in the report include the ageing workforce in the area, the rural geography, the volume of recruitment activity associated with being a new council and increasing competition for staff.

The report says: “It is inevitable that Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council are often drawing from the same talent pool and often in competition with one another for prospective candidates.

“However, there is also increasing competition from other local and national employers, including BAE who have a proposed target to increase their workforce by a further 5,000 employees over the coming years, which will continue to put a strain on our ability to attract and retain.”

The report adds the council has implemented a range of strategies and approaches aimed at mitigating risks and improving the council’s ability to recruit and retain staff.

According to the report, following the launch of the new careers website, the council has seen an ‘increase’ in the number of applicants per vacancy.

The council state they have ‘embraced’ flexible and hybrid working roles following the pandemic, which makes council roles more attractive to potential recruits living outside the area.

The report says: “The recruitment challenges facing Westmorland and Furness Council are reflective of both national and local pressures.

“However, we are taking a proactive approach to addressing these challenges, with a further range of initiatives planned to improve recruitment and workforce planning.”

Members of the audit committee will discuss the report when they meet on November 4 at Kendal Town Hall.