Agenda, decisions and minutes


Personnel Committee - Wednesday 18 September 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

10.

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:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

11.

Petitions and Requests to Address the Meeting

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no petitions or request to address the meeting.

12.

Urgent Business

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

13.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 219 KB

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 July 2024.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 July 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

14.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chairman.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

15.

Policy Review Updates pdf icon PDF 382 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 implementation:

 

a. Travel and Subsistence Policy (incorporates and therefore supersedes Car User Policy)

b.    Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the following policies be approved for implementation:

 

·         Travel and Subsistence Policy (incorporates and therefore supersedes Car User Policy)

·         Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy

Minutes:

The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to two existing HR policies: Travel and Subsistence Policy (incorporates and therefore supersedes Car User Policy); Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy.

 

In response to Members’ questions regarding the revised subsistence levels, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that the rates were aligned with comparable councils. The levels reflected the maximum amount that would be paid, subject to submission in accordance with the policy.

 

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the following policies be approved for implementation:

 

·         Travel and Subsistence Policy (incorporates and therefore supersedes Car User Policy)

·         Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy

16.

Workforce Profile Statistics - Quarter 1 of 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 397 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 are resolves:

 

1.1    to review and note the workforce data for quarter 1 of 2024/25 provided in appendix one, devised to provide insight that will enable officers of CDC to address challenges and efficiencies in the workforce more efficiently

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)        That the workforce data for quarter 1 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.

 

Resolved

 

(1)        That the workforce data for quarter 1 of 2024/25 (financial year dates) be noted.

17.

Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group

In autumn 2022, a joint Equalities Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group was established comprising members of the Personnel Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

 

The Working Group is informal and supported by officers from the Performance and Insight Team. Its role is to help shape and oversee the work the Council is doing to deliver on its equality, diversity and inclusion commitments which are set out in the Council’s Equalities Framework ‘Including Everyone’. Once appointed, the Working Group will review its Terms of Reference to focus on monitoring progress against the three Action Plans agreed by Executive in April 2024.

 

The Personnel Committee is requested to nominate three Personnel Committee members to join the EDI Working Group. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) will nominate three OSC members to the EDI Working Group at its 10 September meeting.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)             That Councillor Coton and Councillor Biegel be nominated by the Personnel Committee to join the EDI Working Group.

Minutes:

The Chairman explained that in autumn 2022, a joint Equalities Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group was established comprising members of the Personnel Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) had agreed that the EDI Working Group should continue in 2024/2025 and nominated three OSC members to sit on the EDI Working Group at its 10 September meeting. The Personnel Committee was requested to also agree the continuation of the EDI Working Group and, subject to this agreement, to nominate three Personnel Committee members to join the EDI Working Group.  

 

Resolved

 

(1)             That the continuation of the Equalities Diversity and Inclusion Working Group continue in 2024/2025.

 

(2)             That Councillor Coton and Councillor Biegel be nominated by the Personnel Committee to join the EDI Working Group.

 

(3)             That it be agreed the Personnel Committee Chair would consult with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny and officers on the process for filling the final vacancy on the EDI Working Group.