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 3 September 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2009 were approved as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Nicholas Mawer as substitute in place of Councillor Russell Hurle in the attendance list.

To note the minutes of the Personnel Sub Committee meeting held on 8 October 2009.

The minutes of the Personnel Sub Committee held on 8 October 2009 were noted by the committee.

Joint Report of the Head of Finance and Head of Customer Services

Summary

This report sets out a proposal to form a multi skilled Customer Service Officer (Specialist) role (2.5 FTE) and the need for 3 FTE Customer Service Advisors to deal with the additional volume of work. 

Recommendation

The meeting is recommended:

1)                  To resolve to approve the job descriptions and grades proposed in this report as part of the outsourcing of the back office elements of revenues and benefits. These roles will support the internal functions and ensure a high quality service to our residents.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Head of Customer Service and Resources and the Head of Finance which set out proposals for the client side function and customer service support following the outsourcing of revenues and benefits. The proposal included 2.5 fulltime Customer Service Officer (Specialist) Roles and 3 Full time Customer Advisors to deal with additional volume of work and a Service Assurance team consisting of: 2 full time Service Assurance Technical Specialists and 2 full time Service Assurance Officers.

Members were advised that the financial effects in the original report where incorrect and that the total staff costs amounted to £298,812, not £310,434 as originally stated. The Committee discussed the possibility of these posts being fulfilled by people affected by the outsourcing of revenues and benefits. Officers advised that these posts would be advertised internally.

Resolved

That the job descriptions and grades for the additional Customer Service roles and Service Assurance Team be agreed as part of the outsourcing of the back elements of the revenues and benefits service.

The following reports 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.

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 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 the 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, 3 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 item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of the Chief Executive

Report to follow

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which updated Members on the proposed changes to the Extended Management Team. The Committee were advised that a final report with final proposals for the new structure would be submitted to the Committee at their next meeting. Officers affected by the proposed changes would be consulted before the final report was submitted to the Committee.

Resolved

That the current proposals for the changes to the structure of Extended Management Team and the plans to consult those affected be noted.