Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

Councillor J Jackson declared 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 body in question.  

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.

No members of the public were present.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2016

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2016 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive an update on progress with Health and Safety, Human Resource and Organisational Development items 

The Committee considered a report on the progress with Health and Safety matters.

The report provided details of the number of health and safety courses undertaken, the inspections carried out and the accident and incident figures reported on PRIME in quarter 4. 

It was noted that the Health and Safety Team had been awarded their fourth consecutive RoSPA Gold Achievement Award and had also received a Commended Award in the RoSPA Public Service and Local Government competitive Sector.

The Committee was concerned about an incident at the Registration Service in Macclesfield and asked for further information including if the incident had been reported to RIDDOR, had support been provided to the member of staff and whether the incident had been reported to the police.

The Committee considered a report on the progress with Human Resource and Organisational Development matters.

The report provided details on progress with the Council’s Workforce Strategy, Organisational Design, Leadership and Management training, the Corporate Training programme, staff recruitment and retention, reward and recognition, the Council’s sickness absence rate, and provision of Education HR Consultancy.

It was reported that in relation to Workforce Priority reporting, a review of the format and data included would take place and in future would report against service objectives.

A collaborative procurement between Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Warrington Councils for Occupational Health services was under way, with tender submissions being required by 19 April 2016.  The tenders would then be evaluated and is was anticipated that a decision would be made by the end of May with the new contract to start on 1 September 2016.  The Committee requested details of the performance standards required of the future supplier of the service.

It was reported that the first ‘Aspiring Managers’ programme had been completed with a 100% pass rate.  Further cohorts had been requested and would take place during 2016/2017.  The outline programme for these sessions would be shared with Staffing Committee members.

The Committee asked about the impact of the Government’s announcement to change all schools into academies and the effect this could have on the Education HR Consultancy Service.  It was agreed that an update would be brought to the next meeting.

Details of the HR performance data were included in the report.  In relation to the FTE by headcount, the Committee stated that they found the year on year comparison data difficult to understand due to the restructuring and changes in department names and asked if an explanatory note could be added to aid understanding.  It was also requested that an estimated net position be provided and include the number of staff transferring to ASDVs. 

The Committee asked if additional information could be reported which showed the expected salary and pension contributions saving over time using the wage bill of employed staff and agency workers.  It was agreed that Officers would explore if this was possible.

The number of cases being investigated under formal procedures was noted.  The Committee felt it would be useful if they could observe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

To consider a report seeking approval for proposed minor changes to the current Pensions Discretion Policy, and the associated Retirement Policy, Redundancy and Efficiency Policy and Redundancy and Efficiency procedure.

The Committee considered a report on proposed minor changes to the current Pensions Discretion Policy and the associated Retirement Policy, Redundancy and Efficiency Policy and Redundancy and Efficiency Procedure.

A summary of the proposed changes was set out in Paragraph 10.1 of the report.

The Committee proposed that the decision on the pension discretions be deferred to allow a more detailed review of the pension discretion policy to take place which would take into account the Local Government Pension Scheme provisions and any discretions set by the Cheshire Pension Scheme.  It was agreed that Councillors B Moran, JP Findlow and D Marren would meet with Officers to consider a review of the regulations, including regulation 16 – buy back of lost pension, and regulation 31 – purchase of additional pension, and to review the VR Panel and Staffing Officers Panel to ensure that appropriate control mechanisms are in place.

RESOLVED:

That the decision in relation to pension discretions be deferred to allow for a more detailed review of the Pension Discretion Policy.

To consider a report on the current situation in relation to the Governments proposals on the recovery of public sector exit payments, redundancy capping limits and additional consultation on wider reforms to public sector exit payments

The Committee considered a report which detailed the current position in relation to the Government proposals on the recovery of public sector exit payments, redundancy capping limits and additional consultation on wider reforms to public sector exit payments.

The report also provided a summary of packages currently offered by other North West Councils and made proposals regarding a further review of the Council’s voluntary redundancy terms.

The Committee was of the view that the review of the voluntary redundancy terms should not wait until the had Government clarified the proposals on exit payments and that is should take place alongside.  It was proposed that Councillors B Moran, JP Findlow and D Marren met with Officer to progress the review and a further report be brought to the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That a review of Voluntary Redundancy Terms take place, with Councillors B Moran, JP Findlow and D Marren meeting with Officer to progress the review.

To consider a report seeking approval for the revised Grievance, Bullying and Harassment Procedure

The Committee considered a report which detailed the revised Grievance, Bullying and Harassment Procedure.

The Staffing Committee, at its meeting on 29 February 2016, had suggested a number of changes to the Procedure.  The Trade Unions had been consulted on these and had agreed to them.  The Procedure was now presented to the Committee for approval.

A further amendment was reported in relation to paragraph 61 – ‘Violence at Work Policy’ to be deleted and ‘Corporate Health and Safety Policy’ be inserted.

The Committee suggested that consideration should be given to allowing a friend to act as a companion as well as a trade union official or work colleague to the appellant.   It was agreed that this would be discussed with the Trade Unions and the outcome reported back to the Committee.

RESOLVED: That

1          the revised Grievance, Bullying and Harassment Procedure, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved with the amendment to paragraph 61 of ‘Violence at Work Policy’ to be deleted and ‘Corporate Health and Safety Policy’ be inserted.

2          The Trade Unions be consulted on the inclusion of a friend as a companion to the appellant.

For discussion and to be led by Councillor D Marren

The Committee discussed the use and wording of Settlement Agreements when employees left the Council.  The wording in the Settlement Agreements was based on a model template. 

It was agreed that a review of the Council’s use of settlement agreements should be carried out and look at how frequently they were used and in what circumstances.

RESOLVED:

That a review of the Council’s use of Settlement Agreements be carried out and an update be brought to the next meeting of the Staffing Committee.