Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Sally Bayliss, delivered the opening prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Fox, Hollingsworth, Scroggie and Weisz.

The Mayor wished Members a Happy New Year and made Members aware of her annual gala dinner which would be taking place at the Goosedale Conference and Banqueting Centre in Papplewick on the 11^th of March 2017.

The Mayor spoke of her recent visit to the newly opened Crematorium in Lambley and passed on an invitation for wider Members to visit.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

None received.

None received.

None received.

Report of the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee.

Consideration was given to a report of the Appointments and Conditions of Services Committee seeking approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 for publication.

RESOLVED:

To approve the Pay Policy Statement 2017/18 for publication on the website.

Report of the Service Manager Elections and Members’ Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager Elections and Members’ Services informing Council of the latest report from the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), relating to member remuneration for 2017/18, and inviting Council to consider the recommendations made by the Panel.

RESOLVED:

1.    To thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work;

2.    To accept the recommendations in the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel;

3.    To agree the Members’ Allowances for 2017/18 set out in Appendix 2 to the report; and

4.    To authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to Part 6 of the Constitution to reflect the changes to Members’ Allowances agreed.

Report of the Service Manager Elections and Members’ Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager, Elections and Members’ Services seeking approval of changes to the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following a change to the membership of the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

 To approve the following changes to representation on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

1.    That Councillor Miller is appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Gregory; and

2.    That Councillor Feeney is appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee in place of Councillor Gregory.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance.

Consideration was given to a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer requesting approval for the Council to accept the invitation from Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA) to “opt-in” to the LGA’s Sector-Led Body approach to appoint a local auditor to audit the Council’s accounts under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

RESOLVED:

To accept the invitation from Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd to “opt-in” to the LGA’s SLB approach to appoint a local auditor to audit the Council’s accounts under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.1, a number of comments were made and responded to by the appropriate Cabinet Member or Committee Chair.

None received.

Background/Context

Many people battling terminal illness up and down the country are currently forced to undergo stressful HR assessments to determine if they are still capable of continuing in work. Failing this assessment can result in loss of income, loss of the dignity of dying in work and worryingly the loss of death in service payments, all after diagnosis.

Gedling Borough Council would like to see the law changed to ensure that anybody with a terminal condition in the future will not have to worry about their job and the financial security of their families but instead will be able to choose how they balance their work life over the final few months of their lives.

We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry. We support the TUC’s Dying to Work Voluntary Charter which states the following:

•           We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry.

•           Terminally ill workers will be secure in the knowledge that we will support them following their diagnosis and we recognise that, safe and reasonable work can help maintain dignity, offer a valuable distraction and can be therapeutic in itself.

•           We will provide our employees with the security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families which helps them through this challenging period with dignity and without undue financial loss.

•           We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign so that all employees battling terminal illness have adequate employment protection and have their death in service benefits protected for the loved ones they leave behind.

Motion

Gedling Borough Council therefore resolves:

a)    To sign the TUC’s Dying to Work Voluntary Charter;

b)    To ask Officers to progress the necessary changes to policy to reflect the principles of the Charter through the appropriate Committees of the Council;

c)    To write to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stating this Council’s support and urging a change in the law; and

d)    To write to local MPs and the TUC outlining the Council’s position.

Proposer: Cllr Meredith Lawrence

Seconder: Cllr Barbara Miller

Upon a notice of motion received in the name of Councillor Lawrence, a proposition was moved by Councillor Lawrence and seconded by Councillor Miller in the following terms:-

“Background/Context

Many people battling terminal illness up and down the country are currently forced to undergo stressful HR assessments to determine if they are still capable of continuing in work. Failing this assessment can result in loss of income, loss of the dignity of dying in work and worryingly the loss of death in service payments, all after diagnosis.

Gedling Borough Council would like to see the law changed to ensure that anybody with a terminal condition in the future will not have to worry about their job and the financial security of their families but instead will be able to choose how they balance their work life over the final few months of their lives.

We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry. We support the TUC’s Dying to Work Voluntary Charter which states the following:

•           We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry.

•           Terminally ill workers will be secure in the knowledge that we will support them following their diagnosis and we recognise that, safe and reasonable work can help maintain dignity, offer a valuable distraction and can be therapeutic in itself.

•           We will provide our employees with the security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families which helps them through this challenging period with dignity and without undue financial loss.

•           We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign so that all employees battling terminal illness have adequate employment protection and have their death in service benefits protected for the loved ones they leave behind.

Motion

Gedling Borough Council therefore resolves:

a)    To sign the TUC’s Dying to Work Voluntary Charter;

b)    To ask Officers to progress the necessary changes to policy to reflect the principles of the Charter through the appropriate Committees of the Council;

c)    To write to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stating this Council’s support and urging a change in the law; and

d)    To write to local MPs and the TUC outlining the Council’s position.”

And it was

RESOLVED:

1.    To sign the TUC’s Dying to Work Voluntary Charter;

2.    To ask Officers to progress the necessary changes to policy to reflect the principles of the Charter through the appropriate Committees of the Council;

3.    To write to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stating this Council’s support and urging a change in the law; and

4.    To write to local MPs and the TUC outlining the Council’s position.