Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as correct records the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 7 February 2024 and 22 May 2024.

Subject to a correction to the 22 May 2024 minutes, resolution to Minute 1 to read “That Councillor Amanada Watkins be appointed Chairman of the Personnel Committee for the municipal year 2024/2025, the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 7 February 2024 and 22 May 2024 were agreed as correct records and signed by the Chairman. .

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Report of Assistant Director of 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:

            Flexible Working Request Policy

            Domestic Abuse Policy

            Flexi scheme Policy

            Employers LGPS Discretions Policy

Resolved

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

·         Flexible Working Request Policy

·         Domestic Abuse Policy

·         Flexi scheme Policy

·         Employers LGPS Discretions Policy

The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to four existing HR policies: Flexible Working Request Policy; Domestic Abuse Policy; Flexi scheme Policy; and, Employers LGPS Discretions Policy.

In response to Members’ questions regarding the refusal of flexible working requests, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that the policy sets out the acceptable grounds and that line manager should liaise with their HR Business Partner.

In response to Members’ questions in relation to raising staff awareness of the  Domestic Abuse Policy and support available, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that she would be advising staff of the Policy at the monthly staff briefing as well as raising awareness of all updated policies via the weekly staff communications. New employees were made aware of all HR policies as part of their induction. Staff (and Members) had access to free support through the council’s employee assistance programme.

In considering the Flexi Scheme Policy, Members raised questions about the permitted flexi banking amount and professional training for staff commenting the council should be proactive rather than reactive, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that the hours related to three standard full time-working days (7 hours 24 minutes) and was pro-rata to hours worked for part time employees (60% of weekly contractual hours). With regards professional training, the Assistant Director Human Resources advised that training in skill sets the council was short of was encouraged and highlighted the pathways to planning.

Resolved

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

·       Flexible Working Request Policy

·       Domestic Abuse Policy

·       Flexi scheme Policy

·       Employers LGPS Discretions Policy

Report of Assistant Director of Human Resources

Purpose of report

To provide the Personnel Committee with an update on CDC’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 2023/24 provided in appendix one.

Resolved

(1)          That the workforce data for quarter 4 of 2023/24 (financial year dates) be noted.

The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to provide the Personnel Committee with an update on CDC’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 the use of temporary agency staff, the Assistant Director Human Resources explained that some services were unable to recruit permanent staff. Agency staff were also used in some services, such as Environmental Services, to cover sickness or peaks in leave.   

Resolved

(1)            That the workforce data for quarter 4 of 2023/24 (financial year dates) be noted.