WARRINGTON Borough Council has slashed spending on agency staff by 23 per cent during the current year – on top of a 21 per cent reduction in 2010-11.
But there is likely to be a continuing, unavoidable need for agency staff and Town Hall chiefs have approved a 12-month agreement to continue an arrangement until a long term deal can be identified offering a quality service at the best possible price.
It is estimated that a further 1.5 per cent reduction in price can be secured over the 12 month period.
The council currently obtains agency staff through an arrangement set up by AGMA – the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.
Agency staff are provided on a “supply chain management” basis – that is, a single provider liaises with a number of staffing agencies to identify and supply staff who best meet the council’s needs.
The service is provided by specialist company Comensura and has operated successfully for a number of years. But it is due to expire at the end of the month.
But council chiefs have approved a different system – MSTAR, or Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources for the next 12 months – again through Comensura.
This will give time for long term options for the future to be assessed.
WARRINGTON Borough Council has slashed spending on agency staff by 23
per cent during the current year - on top of a 21 per cent reduction in
2010-11.
Council slashes spending on agency staff
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will the agency staff be given the boot after the 12 weeks to reduce having to pay a full time wage??
If they’re anything like agency nurses they’d probably have to take a substantial pay-cut to get to full time wage!
the new rules for agency staff are work for 12 wks then we get full t&cs inc full time pay.