The majority of Gore District Council staff surveyed have faith in the senior management of the council.
In the council’s annual health and safety audit, prepared by health and safety adviser Laurie Robertson, 88% of the 40 staff randomly selected for the audit believed the council had effective governance and leadership.
The council employs about 140 part-time and full-time employees.
The report was part of the health and safety memo tabled at last week’s audit and risk committee meeting.
In the report, Ms Robertson said the survey’s aim was to obtain information for planning and improvement purposes.
"It provided a platform for our people to give honest opinions on our health and safety system."
Survey participants were asked to give feedback in four sections — encouragement and engagement, risk management, learning and wisdom and culture and leadership.
In the culture and leadership section, 78% believed senior leaders created an environment of fairness and trust and 73% felt the council engaged and empowered its workers.
Some comments from participants in the report included. —
"The leadership team has been great and very supportive of staff through some stressful times with recent events."
"I think the [council] have currently got a great, one of the best senior management teams it has had for a very long time."
"I have seen a massive, positive change in the senior leadership team in the last 18 months with a strong focus on coaching and building staff up with education and support, and I appreciate it."
"This is the best place I have ever worked and I greatly appreciate the strong yet compassionate leadership within the council."
Overall, staff rated their health and safety at the council as four stars out of five.
Committee chairman Stewart MacDonell said he felt "reasonably good" after reading the report.
"We have come a long way."
