Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There was no urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 7 July 2009

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2009 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Head of Recreation and Health and the Head of Human Resources

Summary

To approve the Council’s new Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Procedures and Self Assessment Action Plan.

Recommendation

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve the Council’s new Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Procedures and Self Assessment Action Plan.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Recreation and Health and the Head of Human Resources which sought approval for the Council’s new Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Procedures and Self Assessment Action Plan.

The committee discussed training levels and delivery and were advised that Level A was the most basic level of training available organisational wide. It was planned to train trainers in order to deliver Level A training in-house.

Resolved

That the Council’s new Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Procedure and Self Assessment Action Plan is approved.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

In 2008 the Council undertook its first comprehensive staff satisfaction survey and made a commitment to repeat the survey every two years. This report updates the Committee on progress since the last survey and outlines the plans for the next survey in January 2010.

Recommendation

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note the plans for the 2010 staff survey and the progress which has been made against the action plan arising from the 2008 survey

The committee considered a report of the Head of Human Resources updating the committee on progress since the last staff survey and plans for the next survey in January 2010.

The committee discussed the possibility of conducting an interim survey internally in the years in between the MORI survey. Officers offered to investigate this and advised members that there had been concerns relating to confidentiality amongst staff when the survey was first introduced. Commissioning MORI to administer the survey had brought credibility to the process particularly in terms of guaranteeing confidentiality.

Officers advised the committee that the staff survey was part of a wider staff consultation process. An action plan was agreed following the 2008 survey and staff were involved in any policy changes which followed the survey. Members discussed survey participation levels and suggested that involvement be further incentivised in order to increase participation.

Members commented on the value of regularly undertaking an independent staff survey which allowed Members to make informed management decisions regarding personnel developments.

Members requested that Officers circulate a copy of the finalised version of the survey to members of the committee.

Resolved

1)                 That the plans for the 2010 staff survey are noted

2)                 That the process which has been made against the action plan arising from the 2008 survey is noted.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

This report details employment statistics, by Directorate, for information and monitoring purposes.

Recommendation

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to resolve to note the contents of this report.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Human Resources detailing employment statistics by Directorate for information and monitoring purposes.

The committee discussed the reasons for the low level of leavers in Quarter One. Officers explained that they felt this could be explained by the economic downturn and the feeling of uncertainty this created when staff considered moving elsewhere.

Resolved

That the contents of the report are noted.

Joint Report of the Chief Executive and Head of Human Resources

Summary

This report updates Members on the progress around workforce planning which aims to ensure the Council has sufficient skills and capacity for future needs.

Recommendation

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to comment on and endorse the contents of this report.

The committee considered a report of the Chief Executive and Head of Human Resources updating Members on the progress around workforce planning which aimed to ensure the Council had sufficient skills and capacity for future needs.

The committee were informed that a further meeting may be required in November to consider any restructure plans. Officers explained that staff affected by outsourcing were being offered as many alternate opportunities as possible either within the Council or businesses in the area. The Council had also recently entered into an agreement with the County Council which gave Cherwell staff early sight of opportunities at the County. The Council was also providing support and training opportunities to affected members of staff such as CV and application advice and training on interview techniques.

The committee also discussed the impact of the North West Bicester eco-development and were advised that the arrangements for a designated North West Bicester team were being developed by the North West Bicester Project Board.

Resolved

1)                 That the contents of the report is endorsed by the committee

2)                 That a meeting of the committee in November is arranged to consider the outcome of expressions of interest following the Planning for the Future letter and potential restructures.

The following report contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3– Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4 – Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holder under, the authority.

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Resolved

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Joint Report of The Strategic Director Customer Service And Resources and The Head Of Finance

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources and the Head of Finance setting out a proposal to form a single debt collection function.

Resolved

That the formation of a single corporate debt collection, and the proposed job descriptions and grades, be approved.