Nottingham City Council is spending £360,000 on agency security staff to patrol significant sites such as Broad Marsh amid a shortage of workers. The Labour-run authority says they will be employed over a five-month period “to meet immediate need due to resource shortages”.
It is the latest council department to suffer staffing problems, with agency workers and consultants being used to fill the gaps and ensure it has adequate expertise. Council delegated decision documents say: “Visible security staff reduce the incidence of crime and [anti-social behaviour].
“Security staff providing a guarding service and patrolling premises internally and externally provide protection of property and contents from vandalism, damage and theft during both day and night, at weekends and Bank Holidays.” The council was asked what the agency staff would be used for and where they would be based.
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According to the council, the staff will mainly provide security at various multi-storey car parks across the city, as well as at the Broad Marsh and Guildhall sites. The former Broadmarsh Centre and Guildhall currently remain vacant and, as such, require security staff to monitor them and prevent trespassing.
Staff will also be used during large-scale events such as the Goose Fair and Splendour. “They will also help to provide holiday and sickness cover for our permanent staff,” a council spokesman added.
It comes shortly after the authority said it expects to spend up to £1.4m to recruit agency workers in key departments due to a “sharp rise in demand”. Last year the authority approved a spend of £750,000 to cover agency costs across all departments, while the contract to manage and deliver agency staff was put back out to market.
However due to further shortages, the council now requires a further £650,000, meaning the overall costs have risen to £1.4m. The adult social care department and children’s services are experiencing some of the most serious shortages.
Concerning the security staff, council documents state a selection of agency companies will be used to ensure the costs are competitive and the quality is consistent.
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