Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To confirm as correct records the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 4 March 2026 and 20 May 2026.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 4 March and 20 May 2026 were agreed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

There were no Chair’s announcements.

The Chair to report on any requests to address the meeting.

There were no requests to address the meeting.

Report of Assistant Director Human Resources

Purpose of report

To seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to existing HR policies.

Recommendations

The Personnel Committee resolves:

1.1       To  review and approve the following policies for implementation:

a.    Probation Policy

b.    Travel and Subsistence Policy

c.    Standby and On Call Policy

d.    Bereavement and Compassionate Leave Policy

e.    Market Supplement Policy

f.     Capability Policy

Resolved

(1)        That the following policies be reviewed and approved for implementation:

a.     Probation Policy

b.     Travel and Subsistence Policy

c.     Standby and On Call Policy

d.     Bereavement and Compassionate Leave Policy

e.     Market Supplement Policy

f.       Capability Policy

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director Human Resources, which presented proposed updates to six policies.

The Assistant Director Human Resources explained that changes to three of the policies – Probation, Standby and on call, and bereavement and compassionate leave – had been required due to legislative changes. Following a change in the HMRC approved mileage rate, the travel and subsistence policy had been updated to reflect the increased rate.

The market supplement and capability policies had had additional clarity added regarding definitions, authorisation steps and formal stages.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that the use of market supplements was not widespread, and benchmarking was undertaken against neighbouring authorities with similar vacancies to ensure the CDC offer was competitive.

Resolved

(1)        That the following policies be reviewed and approved for implementation:

a.     Probation Policy

b.     Travel and Subsistence Policy

c.     Standby and On Call Policy

d.     Bereavement and Compassionate Leave Policy

e.     Market Supplement Policy

f.       Capability Policy

Report of Assistant Director Human Resources

Purpose of report

To provide the Personnel Committee with an update on Cherwell District Council’s workforce including measuring staff well-being and to highlight the actions officers are taking to address any issues.

Recommendations

The Personnel Committee resolves:

1.1           To review and note the workforce data for quarter 4 of 2025/26 provided in appendix one, devised to provide insight that will enable officers of CDC to address challenges and efficiencies in the workforce more efficiently.

Resolved

(1)        That the workforce data for quarter 4 of 2025/26, provided in appendix one to the report, devised to provide insight that will enable officers of CDC to address challenges and efficiencies in the workforce more efficiently, be noted.

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director Human Resources, which detailed workforce data for quarter four of 2025/26, including measuring staff well-being and action required from officers to address any issues.

With regard to apprenticeships and the associated levy, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that recent reform of the scheme had seen 16 apprenticeships defunded. This would mean that levy funding for higher level standards such as team leader, operations manager and chartered manager could no longer be used.

In response to a question from the Committee regarding detailed apprenticeship data, the Assistant Director Human Resources advised that some data was available, which could be included in future workforce data reports.

Following a question in relation to measures taken to help attract applicants to hard to fill vacancies, the Assistant Director Human Resources confirmed that flexible working and flexible retirement options were available.

With regard to data relating to applications from Armed Forces Personnel  and the Armed Forces Covenant, the Assistant Director Human Resources confirmed that data was available and would look to include relevant information in future reports.    

Resolved

(1)        That the workforce data for quarter 4 of 2025/26, provided in appendix one to the report, devised to provide insight that will enable officers of CDC to address challenges and efficiencies in the workforce more efficiently, be noted.

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

There were no items of urgent business.