Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Farmer was elected as Vice Chair for 2024/25.

Proposed by Cllr Neighbour; seconded by Cllr Crampton; unanimously agreed

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2024, including exempt minutes, are attached to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2024, including Exempt Minutes, were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

Proposed by Cllr Farmer; seconded by Cllr Crampton; unanimously agreed by those Members present at the April meeting

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Radley.  Cllr Bailey had advised that he would be arriving late. 

To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair had no announcements.

This report confirms the resolution of the final outstanding issues regarding the senior management review the committee considered in November 2023.

(Cllr Thomas arrived at 7.05pm and Cllr Bailey arrived at 7.08pm during this item)

Members noted that this update followed on from an update given to the last meeting, and dealt with the final issues arising from the structural changes made in the latter part of 2022.

Members noted:

• That whilst the report referred to four outstanding post holder issues, there were only 3, all of which had now been dealt with. Those post holders now had updated job descriptions and were all content
• The Chief Executive had met individually with the three post holders who had outstanding issues to ensure that they were happy with their situations
• That there had been no further job evaluations nor changes in salaries or terms and conditions
• There had been a realignment of some posts in the organisation recently to ensure that all members of staff were in the right department and with the right line management

It was questioned whether this was now the end of the changes required under the review and that all the issues highlighted had been dealt with.  The Chief Executive explained that a further issue had been raised and that he would provide members of the Committee with a briefing note on this rather than wait until the next meeting of the Committee in February 2025.

The update report was noted.

This report seeks authority for the Head of Paid Service to consult with the Chairman of the Committee, to make light-touch adjustments to the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what amounts to a grievance and strengthen the process associated with submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.

Recommendation

The Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, is authorised to adjust the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what constitutes a grievance and strengthen the process of submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.

This report sought authority for the Head of Paid Service to consult with the Chairman of the Committee to make light-touch adjustments to the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what amounted to a grievance and to strengthen the process associated with submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.

Members of the Committee agreed that the Policy required refreshing and updating, and authorised the Head of Paid Service and Chair of the Staffing Committee to work together to circulate a draft version for comment and/or agreement. 

Unanimously agreed.

Decision

The Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chair of Staffing Committee, be authorised to draft and then adopt a revised staff grievance policy subject first to

1. The draft policy being circulated to all members of the Staffing Committee for consultation; and
2. All members of the Staffing Committee confirming in writing their agreement to the final draft policy.

If however, members of the Staffing Committee do not unanimously support in writing the draft Grievance Policy, it will not proceed to adoption but will be referred to a future full meeting of the Staffing Committee for further consideration.