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 10 December 2008.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2008 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

This report seeks early views from the Committee for a number of amendments to the Change Management Policies and some interim approaches to support staff affected by recent Executive decisions to reduce and/or outsource services.

These changes are proposed to ensure that the Council is able to manage change efficiently, fairly and provide maximum protection for permanent staff who are affected by changes in service delivery whilst achieving the savings required to balance the Council’s budget. 

Recommendations

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to resolve to:

1)                 Note/comment on the proposed measures outlined in 5.7

2)                 Comment on the proposed changes outlined in 5.8

3)                 Endorse the classification of ‘exceptional circumstances’ in relation to external recruitment outlined in 5.9

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Human Resources which sought Members views on a number of amendments to the Change Management Policies and interim arrangements to support staff affected by decisions of the Executive to reduce and/or outsource services.

The Committee commented that any freeze on external recruitment should be reviewed periodically and suggested that this be done annually.

Resolved

1)                 That the proposed measures in relation to supporting staff and seeking alternative opportunities for staff be noted.

2)                 That the proposed amendments to change policies be noted.

3)                 That the classification of ‘exceptional circumstances’ in relation to external recruitment be endorsed.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

This report provides and update on the Council’s Investors in People status following the external assessment in January 2009.

Recommendations      

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to resolve to note the return to standard and the comments in the assessors report.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Human Resources which updated Members on the Council’s Investor in People status following an external assessment in January 2009.

The Committee congratulated staff for their efforts in returning to standard. Members were advised that the Investor in People standard was beneficial to the Council in terms of providing a framework for good practice and encouraging a process of continuous development in the Council. The process was resource intensive and the Committee were advised it was valuable to challenge the benefits of the Investors in People scheme.

Resolved

That the return to standard and the comments in the assessor’s report be noted.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the current Job Evaluation project.

Recommendations

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to resolve to take note of the progress of the project and the issues that have been raised.

.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Human Resources updating Members on the job evaluation project. Members were advised that the project was expected to be completed on time and on budget. Members were also alerted to the significant resource required to deliver the project and the need for Unison approval which presents the greatest risk to the 1^st April implementation date.

Resolved

That the progress of the job evaluation project and issues raised be noted.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

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

Recommendations

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 for Quarters 3 and 4, 2008/09.

The Committee queried the number of posts vacant for 6 months and whether these posts could be deleted in light of the extent of time they had been vacant. The Committee were advised that a number of these posts had deliberately been left open in anticipation of certain Executive decisions to reduce or outsource services. Officers agreed that this should be reviewed in 6 months time and that a policy relating to the deletion of vacant posts should be considered.

Resolved

That the employment statistics be noted.

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Summary

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the attached updated Right to Request Flexible Working policy.

Recommendations

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to resolve to approve

The attached updated Right to Request Flexible Working policy for implementation.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Human Resources seeking approval for the updated Right to Request Flexible Working policy. Members requested that Officers consider a more appropriate title for the policy.

Resolved

That the updated Right to Request Flexible Working policy be approved for implementation.

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

1         Information relating to any individual

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 holders under, the authority.

Members are reminded that whilst the following item(s) have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them 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 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 1 and 4 of 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 1 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of the Strategic Director of Customer Services and Resources and the Head of Human Resources

The Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources and Head of Human Resources submitted an exempt report.

Resolved

That the resolutions as set out in the exempt minute be agreed.

Report of the Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources

** Please note Appendices 1 & 2 are to follow**

The Strategic Director Customer Service and Resources submitted an exempt report.

Resolved

That the resolutions as set out in the exempt minute be agreed.

Report of Head of Human Resources and Head of Environmental Services

The Head of Human Resources and Head of Environmental Services submitted an exempt report.

Resolved

That the resolutions as set out in the exempt minute be agreed.