The “reputational damage” suffered by Liverpool Council in recent years could impact its prospects in recruiting new staff, it has been claimed.
Cllr Andrew Makinson, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group, told committee members that a former officer at the local authority had sought to distance their association from the council by saying, “why would I want Liverpool City Council on my CV now?”
Cllr Makinson made the claim to members of the finance and resources select committee as councillors were told “pockets” of the council existed where cultural issues needed to be addressed. More than 200 employees left the council between December 2019 and December 2021 with turnover of staff expected to rise again according to data from January this year, consistent with the national picture.
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That period correlates with the start of a police corruption investigation which saw several high profile council figures arrested and the publication of the damning Max Caller inspection of the council.
The council has seen 52 people leave already this year. The report to members revealed that a culture change programme is beginning this month focusing on becoming a “listening and learning” organisation.
Lib Dem group deputy leader Cllr Makinson said: “There was significant reputational damage the city suffered and it’s very hard to quantify that. I’m drawn to a quote from one former officer who I ran into a few weeks ago who said to me, why would I want Liverpool City Council on my CV now?
“If that’s what current officers in some cases are thinking, how is that affecting the thoughts of people from outside who may be thinking of applying for roles in the city?”
Jo Twist, Liverpool Council director of people and talent, acknowledged the authority’s standing had been rocked by events over the last two years.
It has been a year since the authority received the damning Caller Report that explosively criticised the way the city had been managed in years previously and the appointment of Government sanctioned commissioners. Former Mayor Joe Anderson was arrested in December 2020 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. He has not been charged and denies wrongdoing.
Ms Twist said: We do know we’ve had some reputational damage and hence why we need to do the culture programme and recruitment programme as well. Yes there does need to be improvement but why don’t you come and shape that and influence that?”
“We do need to improve, we recognise that, but come and help us do it. There’s a lot being done in the culture programme around that about our branding and our reputation.”
