A new hybrid pilot plan for Ceredigion staff to maximise the existing agile way of working while providing the best service for residents

From June onwards, some office-based staff, who have been working remotely during the pandemic, will be returning to Ceredigion County Council offices located in Aberystwyth and Aberaeron following a hybrid work strategy, devised to compliment the benefits gained from working from home while delivering some face to face services more efficiently.

The pilot scheme is being rolled out for staff who can work as effectively remotely as in the workplace but, due to certain responsibilities/client demands, will benefit from attending a workplace setting at certain times during the week. One of the aims of the pilot will be to increase public-facing spaces that are welcoming and accessible to our customers.

Where possible, many of the UK workforce have worked from home since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. What was a challenge for many at the start, due to technical requirements and creating office space in homes, soon become a positive way of working with many benefits gained from this agile way of working, such as;

• Reduction in traffic on our roads, reducing our impact on the environment.
• Reduction in time spent commuting, leading to a greater work-life balance; in a staff engagement survey, 80% of Ceredigion County Council staff said that working remotely has helped to improve their work-life balance.
• Increased work efficiency; no time needed to travel between meetings leading to increased collaboration with partner organisations.
• Reduction in travel costs.
  

Clic, the Council’s Customer Contact services has adapted over the pandemic to ensure a continued service online and over the phone throughout despite working remotely. At the height of lockdown, the contact centre dealt with 85,000 calls and 13,000 emails. As a result of its efficiency, Customer Contact Services will remain online and over the phone, and the reception desks at Canolfan Rheidol and Penmorfa will remain closed. Other appropriate face-to-face services will be phased in during the pilot.

The pilot scheme will be a working progress and reviewed regularly with the aim to run for an initial 18 months.