Agenda, decisions and minutes

Personnel Committee - Wednesday 27 November 2024 6.30 pm

Venue: Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury, OX15 4AA

Contact: Martyn Surfleet, Democratic and Elections Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221534

Media

Items
No.	Item
18.	Declarations of Interest 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. Additional documents: Webcast for 18. Minutes: There were no declarations of interests.
19.	Petitions and Requests to Address the Meeting The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting. Additional documents: Webcast for 19. Minutes: There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.
20.	Urgent Business The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda. Additional documents: Webcast for 20. Minutes: There were no items of urgent business.
21.	Minutes PDF 216 KB To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2024. Additional documents: Webcast for 21. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
22.	Chairman's Announcements To receive communications from the Chairman. Additional documents: Webcast for 22. Minutes: There were no Chairman’s announcements.
23.	Workforce Profile Statistics - Quarter 2 of 2024-25 PDF 401 KB 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 2 of 2024/2025 provided in appendix one, devised to provide insight that will enable officers of CDC to address challenges and efficiencies in the workforce more effectively. Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Workforce Profile Statistics - Quarter 2 - 2024-25 , item 23. PDF 2 MB Webcast for 23. Decision: Resolved (1) That the workforce profile statistics for quarter 2 of 2024/25 (financial year dates) be noted. Minutes: The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to update members on Cherwell District Council’s workforce including measuring staff well-being and to highlight the actions officers are taking to address any issues. In response to Members’ questions regarding levels of absence linked to work related stress and what support was offered to staff, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that several processes were in place to support staff, such as the return to work meeting, risk assessments, occupational health referrals, phased returns as well as the employee assist programme. In response to Members’ questions regarding access to employment and the interview process for minority groups, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that the interview process was under review whilst data was gathered, and that an “Inclusion Champion network” was to be created to feed into the process. In response to Members’ questions regarding a request to include data on neurodivergence, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained officers will look to include any relevant data within the report due for the next meeting of the committee. In response to Members’ questions regarding the inclusion and support for British Sign Language (BSL) users within the council, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that previous workforce data did not include BSL as a category, but would look to include it going forward, and that the EDI working group would be best placed to look into the inclusivity of BSL within the Council. Resolved (1) That the workforce profile statistics for quarter 2 of 2024/25 (financial year dates) be noted.
24.	Policy Review Updates PDF 381 KB 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 adoption: a. Organisational Change Policy b. Paternity Leave Policy c. Carer’s Leave Policy d. Drugs and Alcohol Policy Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Changes to policy , item 24. PDF 321 KB Appendix 2 - Organisation Change Policy , item 24. PDF 883 KB Appendix 3 - Paternity Leave Policy , item 24. PDF 337 KB Appendix 4 - Carers Leave Policy , item 24. PDF 484 KB Appendix 5 - Drugs and Alcohol Policy , item 24. PDF 740 KB Webcast for 24. Decision: Resolved (1) That, having given due consideration, the following policies be approved for implementation: a. Organisational Change Policy b. Paternity Leave Policy c. Carer’s Leave Policy d. Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minutes: The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to four existing HR policies: Organisational Change Policy, Paternity Leave Policy, Carer’s Leave Policy, and Drugs and Alcohol Policy. In response to Members’ questions regarding the potential for side effects of prescription medication on work duties and were there any processes in place to monitor this, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that this was not something included in the original policy and that officers would look into and feedback to the committee. Resolved (1) That, having given due consideration, the following policies be approved for implementation: a. Organisational Change Policy b. Paternity Leave Policy c. Carer’s Leave Policy d. Drugs and Alcohol Policy