Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 168 KBVenue: 39 Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5FD
Contact: Martyn Surfleet, Democratic and Elections Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221534
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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 interests. |
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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. |
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To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 26 March and 21 May 2025. Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 26 March and 21 May 2025 were agreed as correct records and signed by the Chair. |
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Chair's Announcements To receive communications from the Chair.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Chair’s announcements. |
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Requests to Address the Meeting The Chair to report on any requests to address the meeting.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no requests to address the meeting. |
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Workforce Profile Statistics - Quarter 4 of 2024-25 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 to:
1.1 Review and note the workforce data for quarter 4 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 profile statistics for quarter 4 of 2024/25 (financial year dates) be noted. Minutes: The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to update the Committee on Cherwell District Council’s (CDC) workforce as at the end of quarter 4 of 2024/25, including measuring staff well-being and highlighting the actions officers were taking to address any issues.
In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Councillor Brant advised that there were no issues, risks or concerns to highlight.
In response to a question regarding the use of agency staff and whether solutions to recruit and maintain staff to mitigate this were being looked at, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that the use of agency staff varied by department, and the purpose of using agency staff was to ensure services were maintained. The shortages impacting some departments, including planning, were a national issue, CDC was mitigating by targeted recruitment as well as graduate schemes.
In response to a question regarding information on how many applicants per ethnic group went on to successfully secure a position at the Council, the Assistant Director Human Resources advised that in its current format this was not captured in the report, but she would seek to include in future reports.
Resolved
(1) That the workforce profile statistics for quarter 4 of 2024/25 (financial year dates) be noted. |
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Policy Review Updates 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. Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy b. Induction Policy
Additional documents:
Decision: Resolved
(1) That, having given due consideration, the Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy be approved for implementation.
(2) That, having given due consideration, subject to the inclusion of provisions for any workplace adjustments or accommodations to be agreed with a new starter as part of their induction, the Induction Policy be approved for implementation.
Minutes: The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to two HR policies: Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy and Induction Policy.
In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Councillor Brant, explained that the Induction Policy had been reviewed and updated following feedback from new starters to ensure that, whilst there would be individual service requirements by way of induction, corporate information provided to new starters would be standardised, and that the reworked process would provide clarity to managers on the requirements within induction. The Neonatal Policy was a new policy brought forward following new legislation in April 2025 to support employees whose newborn child required neonatal care following birth.
In response to a suggestion to include workplace adjustments and accommodations for new starters being discussed and agreed as part of the onboarding and induction process in the Induction Policy, the Assistant Director Human Resources agreed that revisions to the policy would be made to include these suggestions.
Resolved
(1) That, having given due consideration, the Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy be approved for implementation.
(2) That, having given due consideration, subject to the inclusion of provisions for any workplace adjustments or accommodations to be agreed with a new starter as part of their induction, the Induction Policy be approved for implementation.
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