Agenda and minutes

Councillor Sandra Barnes was elected as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Clarke.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

None.

Councillor Payne joined the meeting at 10:03am.

To move that under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ensuing reports on the grounds that the reports involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That, the Members being satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information that under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the ensuing reports on the grounds that the reports involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the feedback received from trade unions and the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee and requesting approval to implement the proposal for creation of policy.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Receive the consultation comments and recommendations from the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee (JCSC);

2)    Accept the recommendation made by the JCSC that for “placement leave” in the proposed policy there be no difference between the time given for a child under or over five years old and that in all cases for the fostering of a child, four weeks’ paid leave be granted; and

3)    Agree to the implementation of the proposals made to adopt a Fostering-friendly Policy with immediate effect.

Report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the feedback received from trade unions and the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee and requesting approval to implement the proposal for policy change in the Overtime Policy.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Receive the consultation comments and recommendations from the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee (JCSC); and

2)    Agree to the implementation of the proposals made to amend the current Overtime Policy to take account of arrangements where services are withdrawn due to bank holidays then instead delivered at weekends.

Report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of HR, Performance and Service Planning, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the feedback received from trade unions and the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee and requesting approval to implement the proposal for policy change in the Stand-by and Callout Policy.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Receive the consultation comments and recommendations from the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee (JCSC); and

2)    Agree to the implementation of the proposals made to amend the current Stand-by and Callout Policy.

Report of the Head of Paid Service

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Paid Service, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, seeking authority to begin consultation with trade unions on the implementation of the proposed measure to increase minimum pay levels.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Support the progression of the proposal to move all employees on pay points SCP 1 to 4 onto a minimum spinal column pay point of SCP 5 (Band 3) with effect from 1 April 2022, subject to the approval of the ongoing budget in accordance with Council’s Financial Regulations; and

2)    Agree the timescales, implementation methodology and the commencement of the consultation process with unions as detailed in the report.