Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no petitions or request to address the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.

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

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

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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

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

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

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

Resolved

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

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.

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.

Resolved

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

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.