Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which set out work currently underway to introduce random alcohol and drug testing arrangements within a number of areas in the Council.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 12’ is filed with these minutes.

It was confirmed that the policy would apply to County Council staff and agency staff used by the Council.  Discussions with commissioned services to determine how the policy should apply to them were ongoing and the Committee would be updated on their outcome.

An external testing provider would be used as this would ensure independence and a robust process, and would remove any risk of bias which could be a criticism if in-house testing was undertaken.  Managers with reasonable grounds to suspect that a member of staff was under the influence of drugs or alcohol could already address their concerns through the existing Substance Misuse Policy, which allowed them to act immediately.  The sanctions which could be put in place under either policy would take individual circumstances into account.

RESOLVED:

That the work that is currently underway to introduce random alcohol and drug testing arrangements within a number of areas in the Council be supported.