The 2015 Employee Survey is now open, so please have your say and make sure your voice is heard by completing the survey. The survey is used to measure the impact that the changes to local government are having on you and help us understand the pressures this can create. You can complete the survey in work time or at home. All the survey returns are completely anonymous, whether in paper or online.
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The Worksmart Appraisal is a review of your role in the council. Every employee should meet with their manager at least once a year to talk about their work and performance. This helps you create a record of your performance, training and development needs and discuss the contribution you make to the aims of Torfaen County Borough Council. There is an expectation that all staff (except schools based staff) will undertake this process within the timescale between 1 September 2015 to 31 December 2015. For guidance on the process click here.
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We are required to individually complete or refresh Mandatory Data Protection Training delivered online through the Cardinus E-Learning application. If you haven’t as yet completed or refreshed your training you will receive a reminder. This will come to you on an automated email sent from the following address : Information Security Team pacesystem@cardinus.com Completion takes approx. 30 minutes and can be undertaken one module at a time, however please note that until all modules and a subsequent test has been completed you will continue to receive automated reminders.
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This is a final reminder to all staff that December’s salary will be paid on 31st December 2015 and not as in previous years on 24th December.
The Council approved amendments to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders at its meeting held on the 20th October 2015. These Contract Standing Orders provide the procedures that must be followed in relation to the procurement and award of a contract for goods, services and works for the Council. The Contract Standing Orders are designed to ensure that the Council obtains value for money and that all procurement activity is conducted with openness, probity and accountability. An interactive copy of the revised Contract Standing Orders is available on Swoop.
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Three Torfaen council staff members in the Highways, Transportation and Property Division have each achieved 25 years’ of public sector service. Energy manager Allan Jones, bricklayer and general labourer Mark Reece, and head of highways, transportation and property Stephen Jarrett have all dedicated 25 years of service to the public sector since starting in 1990, and have been thanked by the council for the hard work they have shown over the years.
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Torfaen Council joined in the European-wide one minute silence in honour of victims of the Paris attacks. The one minute silence was held at 11am across the UK on Monday. The flags were flown at half-mast outside the Civic Centre.
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This year White Ribbon Day is on 25 November. White Ribbon Day is inspired by The White Ribbon Pledge led by men who campaign to stop domestic violence against women. Domestic violence statistics show that 70% of incidents result in injury and that on average, two women in England and Wales are killed by a partner every week. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. White ribbons are available for £1 on the front desk in Reception in the Civic Centre. To find out more, click here.
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For the last five years we have managed, through working together across service areas and in partnership with our trade unions, to deliver a budget which limited cuts to services and with few compulsory redundancies despite the fact that we have had less money to deal with ever increasing demands. This is however becoming increasingly difficult to achieve as indicated by the Chief Executive.
We know that it is an anxious time for staff wondering how such an environment and such ongoing financial restrictions will affect them personally and, as in previous years we will do our best and keep staff interests at the forefront of our minds but there will be difficult decisions within the context of the budget. It therefore remains important that we maintain a list of:
1. Staff interested in voluntary redundancy
2. Staff interested in flexible retirement
3. Staff interested in reducing their working hours.
For the full message from Graeme Russell, Head of Human Resources and Pensions, visit Swoop.
Do you feel that you have the skills and experience to provide Coaching and Mentoring in the work place? Do you have the ability to provide support to employees to help them deal with difficult situations at work? Could you provide support to managers, help others resolve conflict, and provide support through periods of change? Email julie.hicks(HR)@torfaen.gov.uk to book your place on the Torfaen Training Information Session - ILM Level 5 Coaching & Mentoring course on Monday 23rd November 2015, 10am – 1pm. Application forms should be emailed to julie.hicks(HR)@torfaen.gov.uk by Monday 30th November 2015 at 12pm.
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Torfaen Training are pleased to offer the following funded development opportunity - Level 4 Diploma in Business and Professional Administration. Suitable for Office Managers, Administration Team Leaders, Personal Assistants and Business Development Executives. Complete the attached application form and email it to julie.hicks(HR)@torfaen.gov.uk by Friday 11th December at 12pm. For more information contact Julie Hicks on 07980 682061 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays or Lisa Tyler 01495 742570.
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For Unison members working in a social care setting, health care support worker Unison members, and school support staff Unison members, Unison Cymru Wales is proud to offer the opportunity to apply for a Personal Learning Grant of up to £300 towards course fees. You will need to apply by Friday 27 November 2015, and there are a maximum of 10 grants available per sector. For more information contact Jenny Griffin on j.griffin@unison.co.uk or Julie Hicks on julie.hicks(HR)@torfaen.gov.uk.
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Unison's Monmouthshire and Torfaen County Branches are hosting a Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre on Saturday 28 November. Tickets cost £6 for members and £12 for non-members. Non-members must be accompanied by a member. Departing from Pontypool Town Hall at 8:30am, departing from Police HQ in Cwmbran (bus stop) at 8:30am, departing from Usk (HQ) at 8:50am, departing from Worcester at 5:30pm. For more information contact Karen on unisonmon@btconnect.com or 01291 675502.
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The Santa Appeal has been run by Torfaen Social Services for the past nine years. This has been a tremendous success, thanks to the generosity of all those who have participated in this appeal. Once again social services are appealing for donations of a Christmas gift, which will make Christmas special for those children and young people who might otherwise miss out. If you would like to participate and spread a little joy this Christmas please call 01633 647545 or 01633 647539.
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On 4th December the Mayor asks you to don your Christmas jumpers in aid of the Mayor’s charities, which are the Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Llanerch Memorial Fund and Pancreatic Cancer UK. Donations are £1 on the day. You can nominate one person per floor to go around with a blue tub, which can be collected from Chris Slade. Unfortunately, uniformed members of staff are unable to take part. For more information contact Chris on chris.slade@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 742578.
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Torfaen Training are pleased to offer a Level 4 ILM – Leadership and Management course for aspiring Managers, Team Leaders and Managers. To apply email Julie Hicks on julie.hicks(HR)@torfaen.gov.uk for an application form and Initial Diagnostic Questionnaire to complete, then return to Julie by Tuesday 1st December 2015. You can attend the Induction morning at Torfaen Training, Springvale Industrial Est, Cwmbran NP44 5BA on Tuesday 15th December 2015, from 9:30am until 12:30pm.
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