Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor D Brown and UNISON representatives Olga Kokkinis, Tracey Evans and Tony Caffery.

Councillor J Jackson declared that she was a member of GMB.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.  It is not required to give notice of the intention to make use of public speaking provision, however, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours notice is encouraged.

There were no members of the public present.

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 25 July 2013 and 6 September 2013

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 25 July 2013 and 6 September 2013 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report on the progress with Human Resources issues

The Head of HR and Organisational Development, aided by the HR Delivery Manager and the Health and Safety Manager, presented a report which provided a general update on Human Resource Issues, including Health and Safety, Organisational Development and HR Delivery.

In Quarter 1 a total of 1531 accidents and 187 incident reports were entered onto PRIME, of which 44 were RIDDOR reportable to the Health and Safety Executive.  In Quarter 2 a total of 1291 accidents and 177 incidents were entered onto PRIME, of which 33 were RIDDOR reportable. 

The Fire Prevention Policy was presented to Members for consideration.  Clarification was sought that arrangements were in place in both corporate and schools premises regarding evacuation responsibilities.  It was requested that the Policy identified this responsibility.  The policy would be presented to the Corporate Health and Safety Forum in December for approval.

Initial meetings had been held with HM Assist/PPC, the supplier of the Employee Assistance Programme, with regard to the implementation plan.  Once the contract has been signed by both parties, the supplier can immediately launch the programme for all employees.  Following the launch there would be an extensive range of promotional activities to raise awareness amongst all employees about what the programme included, how to access it, to stress confidentiality and answer any related questions.

In October an innovative pilot scheme was launched aimed at reducing the amount of time employees are absent from work due to musculo-skeletal problems.  The pilot provides early access to expert advice and included a phone-back service for employees reporting themselves sick with such a condition. 

The Collaborative Leadership Programme was now in its third year.  The programme was aimed at ambitious and aspiring senior and middle managers and offered a 9 month programme of challenging, engaging and stimulating learning and development experiences, set within the context of the public services transformation agenda and the implications for future leaders.  The Council had secured fourteen places on the programme.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       The HR Update Report be noted.

(2)       The Fire Prevention Policy be approved, subject to the suggested amendment.

The Trade Union representatives raised the following item:

Alternative Service Delivery Vehicles

The Trade Union representatives wished to recognise the excellent work currently being done in setting up of the Alternative Service Delivery Vehicles and asked that the Council continue the positive dialogue with employees. However there were recognised flaws in the process i.e. lack of communication and transparency and asked that these areas be addressed urgently. 

They asked that when the next tranche of delivery options were being considered that open and transparent dialogue takes place, both with the recognised Trade Unions and with front line employees facing uncertainty over the proposed changes.

In response the Committee asked that the Chief Executive ensure that the Trade Unions and all other stakeholders are involved in consultations.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended on the grounds that they involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing this information.

The Trade Union representatives raised issues in relation to the following items:

• Incremental Progression
• Christmas Closedown
• Management Restructure