Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2011 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Director of Corporate Resources will deliver an oral update on this item.

The Committee considered an oral update from the Director of Corporate Resources concerning the progress made with consultation with the Trade Unions on the proposed changes to staff terms and conditions.

RESOLVED:

That the oral update in respect of the proposals, consultation plan and timeline be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources concerning the Council’s outturn performance in respect of staff absence. A copy of the report, marked ‘B’, is filed with these minutes.

The Director reported that the Council had not achieved its target of 6.50 days absence per FTE for 2010/11. It was noted that this was largely attributable to the significant increase in school employee absence levels. As the school system increasingly moved to an “academy” model, it was felt that the Council would have even less influence in this area.

Absence levels remained comparatively high in the Adults and Communities Department. Members were informed that nationally, the Department’s absence performance compared favourably, however it was recognised that further work would be necessary to ensure that absence levels in the Department improved.

RESOLVED:

(a)               That the performance of sickness absence levels across the Council for 2010/11 of 7.85 days per FTE be noted;

(b)                 That, in light of the development of academies, future reports be presented so as to also break down performance by way of academies, other schools and non-schools staff.

The Committee considered an oral update from the Director of Corporate Resources concerning the Leading for High Performance development programme for senior managers. A copy of the report, marked ‘C’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the continuation of the Leading for High Performance approach be supported.

The Committee considered an oral update from the Director of Corporate Resources concerning a revised version of the Secondments (Internal and External) Incorporating “Acting Up” Arrangements Policy and Procedure. A copy of the report, marked ‘D’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Secondments (Internal and External) incorporating “Acting Up” Arrangements Policy and Procedure be approved for immediate implementation.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources concerning Trade Union facilities time utilised within the County Council. A copy of the report, marked ‘E’, is filed with these minutes.

The Director reported that the Council would continue to support the current Trade Union arrangements for the next two years as the Authority continued through a period of significant change. Members felt that it would be necessary to review the arrangements after this time.

RESOLVED:

That the current arrangements as set out in the report be supported and that it be agreed that a further report on the matter be presented in two years’ time.

The Committee considered an oral update from the Director of Corporate Resources concerning the summary of action plans with provision for compulsory redundancy. A copy of the report, marked ‘F’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning revisions to the delegated powers of the Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources as part of a staged review of delegated powers to Heads of Departments. A copy of the report, marked ‘G’, is filed with these minutes.

The Chief Executive reported that this was the last stage of a phased review of delegated powers which involved the removal, update or consolidation of delegated powers, as appropriate.

RESOLVED:

That those delegated powers which relate to the functions of this Committee, as set out in the appendices to the report, be approved.

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:-

Item                                                                                              Paragraph No

Retirement in the Interests of the Efficiency of the Service           1,  3 and 10”.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:-

Item                                                                 Exempt under Paragraph Nos.

Early Retirement of the County Solicitor                           1, 3 and 10

(Exempt under paragraphs 1, 3 and 10 of Schedule 12A)

The Committee considered an exempt report from the Director of Corporate Resources concerning the proposed early retirement of the County Solicitor. A copy of the report, marked ‘H’, is filed with these minutes. The report was not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1, 3 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the early retirement of the County Solicitor be approved on the basis set out in the report.