~~~NDA ITEM No t~..-~-~-~ · meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of...

~ ~ ~ N D A ITEM No ...._... t~..-~-~-~ POLICY AND RESOURCES (HUMAN RESOURCES) SUB - 5 November 2009

Motherwell, 5 November 2009 at 2 pm.

A Meeting of the POLICY AND RESOURCES (HUMAN RESOURCES) SUB-COMMITTEE

PRESENT

Councillor Chadha, Vice-Convener; Councillors Adamson, Devine, Goldie, Hogg, Irvine, Kelly, McKenna, Robertson, Ross, Shevlin and Alan Valentine.

CHAIR

In the absence of the Convener and in terms of Standing Order No. 11, Councillor Chadha (Vice-Convener) presided.

IN ATTENDANCE

The Administrative Officer (Committee and Civic Governance Services), Chief Personnel Officer (Operations), Principal Personnel Officer, Principal Health and Safety Officer, Head of Facility Support Services and Personnel Manager.

APOLOGIES

Provost Curley and Councillors Harmon, Higgins, Jones, Key, J. Love and F. McKay

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000

1. The meeting noted that there were no declarations of interest.

The Chair exercised his discretion to vary the order of business, as hereinafter Minuted.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

(1) BEST VALUE SERVICE REVIEW JANITORIAL AND CARETAKING SERVICE

2. With reference to paragraph 19 of the Minute of the meeting of the Environmental Services Committee held on 21 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of Facility Support Services advising that, following a second ballot, the management offer of 1 June 2009 had been accepted b y the trade unions and a collective agreement was signed off by full-time Trade Union Officers on 1 July 2009.

Decided: that the signing of a collective agreement on 1 July 2009 based on the new Service Delivery Model be noted.

(2) 0 N -STRE E T PUBLIC CONVENIENCE RATION A L IS AT10 N

(a) NORTH ROAD, BELLSHILL TOILET

3. With reference to paragraph 21 of the Minute of the meeting of the Environmental Services Committee held on 21 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of Facility Support Services

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POLICY AND RESOURCES (HUMAN RESOURCES) SUB - 5 November 2009

intimating (1) that following a consultation exercise it was proposed that the provision of on-street, manned, toilet facilities at North Road, Bellshill cease, and (2) that alternative employment be sought for the affected two members of staff under the terms of the Council’s Redeployment Policy.

Decided: that, subject to approval of the Council, the Head of Facility Support Services seek alternative employment for two members of staff under the terms of the Council’s Redeployment Policy.

(b) STATION ROAD, SHOTTS TOILET

4. With reference to paragraph 22 of the Environmental Services Committee held on 21 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of Facility Support Services intimating (1) that following a consultation exercise, it was proposed that the provision of on-street, manned, toilet facilities at Station Road, Shotts cease, and (2) that alternative employment be sought for the affected two members of staff under the terms of the Council’s Redeployment Policy.

Decided: that the Head of Facility Support Services seek alternative employment for the two members of staff under the terms of the Council’s Redeployment Policy.

(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMPORARY POST OF CONTAMINATED LAND OFFICER

5. With reference to paragraph 23 of the Minute of the meeting of the Environmental Services Committee held on 21 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of Protective Services proposing that, following the receipt of capital funding to support Protective Services in exercising duties in respect of contaminated land, one temporary post of Contaminated Land Officer at salary grade NLC 9 be established.

Decided: that the establishment of Environmental Services be increased by one pos t of Contaminated Land Offer at salary grade NLC9 for a temporary period up until 31 March 2012.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SUB-COMMITTEE

6. There were submitted the Minutes of the meetings of the Policy and Resources (Human Resources Appeals) Sub-Committee and the Policy and Resources (Human Resources Early Retirement) Sub-Committee held on 7 September 2009.

Decided: that the terms of the Minutes be approved and noted.

JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES - MINUTE

7. There was submitted the Minute of meeting of Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees held on 17 September 2009 as detailed in the Annex to this Minute.

Decided: that the terms of the Minute be approved and noted.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE - FUTURE JOBS FUND - UPDATE

8. With Reference to paragraph 14 of the Minute of the meeting of the Regeneration Services Committee held on 4 November 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 4 November 2009 by the Head of Regeneration Services, intimating that North Lanarkshire Partnership received approval and funding to deliver 390 work placements between October 2009 and March 2010 up to a maximum funding of f2,535,000 (1) advising that the Programme would commence in October 2009 and between 50-70 work placement opportunities would be made available through local Job Centres on a monthly basis, (2) enclosing, in Appendix 1 to the report, details of the opportunities which would be available in Job Centres for October 2009; (3) indicating that the Council would also provide 131 job opportunities between November 2009 and March 2010 details of which were enclosed in Appendix 2 to the report, and (4) setting out, in the report, the criteria and Conditions of Service for dealing the Council posts

Decided:

(1) that the development of the North Lanarkshire Partnership Future Jobs Programme and the commencement of the Programme in October 2009, be noted, and

(2) that the development of the Council Future Jobs Fund opportunities and the criteria as set out in the report be approved.

CORPORATE SERVICES - TRANSFER OF TENANTS' RIGHTS TRANSACTIONS TO PARALEGALS AND OTHER PARALEGAL ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN LEGAL SERVICES

9. With reference to paragraph 20 of the Minute of the meeting of the Corporate Services Committee held on 29 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 7 October 2009 by the Head of Legal Services proposing for the reasons detailed therein ( I ) the deletion of (a) three posts of Administrative Assistant at salary grade NLC4; (b) one post of Solicitor at salary grade NLC12, and (c) 0.5 post of Clerical Officer at salary grade NLC4; (2) the establishment of three posts of Paralegal (Litigation and Advice) at salary grade NLC8, and (3) redesignation and regrading of one post of Licensing Supervisor to salary grade NLC9.

Decided:

(1) that 3 posts of Administrative Assistant at salary grade NLC4; 1 post of Solicitor at salary grade NLC12 and 0.5 post of Clerical Officer at salary grade NLC4 be deleted from the establishment of the Legal Services Division of Corporate Services;

(2) that the establishment of the Legal Services Division of Corporate Services be increased by three posts of Paralegal (Litigation and Advice) at salary grade NLC8, and

(3) that the post of Licensing Supervisor be regraded and redesignated to salary grade NLC9.

HOUSING AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES - AMENDMENTS TO MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS: BELTANE PRODUCTS

10. With reference to paragraph 9 of the Minute of the meeting of the Housing and Social Work Services Committee held on 19 August 2009 and paragraph 10 of the meeting of this Sub-Committee held on 3 September 2009, there was submitted a report dated 16 July 2009 by the Head of Housing and Social Work Resources proposing, for the reasons detailed therein, to (1) delete one post of Assistant Unit Manager at salary grade NLCI 1; (2) regrade one post of Unit Manager to salary grade NLC12, and (3) regrade and redesignate two posts of Supervisor to that of Production Supervisor at salary grade NLC8.

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POLICY AND RESOURCES (HUMAN RESOURCES) SUB - 5 November2009

Decided:

(1) that one post of Assistant Unit Manager at salary grade NLCII be deleted from the establishment of Housing and Social Work Services;

(2)

(3)

that one post of Unit Manager be regraded and redesignated to salary grade NLC12, and

that two posts of Supervisor be regraded and redesignated to two posts of Production Supervisor at salary grade NLC8.

LEARNING AND LEISURE SERVICES

(1) RECONFIGURATION OF SELECTED POSTS

11. With reference to paragraph 24 of the Minute of the meeting of the Learning and Leisure Services Committee held on 20 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 9 October 2009 by the Head of Educational Resources proposing for the reasons detailed therein (1) that (a) one post of Active Schools Manager be redesignated and regraded to salary grade NLC13; (b) the creation of one post of Assistant Active Schools Manager at salary grade NLCI 1, and (c) the deletion of one post of Active Schools Co-ordinator at salary grade NLCIO and the deletion of one post of Clerical Assistant at salary grade NLC2; (2) the redesignation and reconfiguration of 17 posts of Head of Centre to salary grade NLC13, and (3) the reconfiguration and regrading of seven posts of Finance Assistant to salary grade NLC5.

Decided:

(1) that the establishment of Learning and Leisure Services be increased by one post of Assistant Active Schools Manager at salary grade NLCII ;

(2) that one post of Active Schools Co-ordinator at salary grade NLCIO and one post of Clerical Assistant at salary grade NLC2 be deleted from the establishment of Learning and Leisure Services;

(3) that the post of Active Schools Manager be regraded and reconfigured to salary grade NLC13;

(4) that 17 posts of Head of Centre be reconfigured and regraded to salary grade NLC13, and

(5) that seven posts of Finance Assistant be regraded and reconfigured to salary grade NLC5.

(2) ASSIMILATION OF SESSIONAL WORKERS

12. With reference to paragraph 25 of the Minute of the meeting of the Learning and Leisure Services Committee held on 20 October 2009, there was submitted a report (docketed as relative to the meeting of that Committee) dated 29 September 2009 by the Head of Educational Resources seeking approval to assimilate a number of posts in Bellshill Learning Centre, Community Learning and Development and Community Information and Learning to the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure for Local Government Employees proposing that (1) seven employees within Bellshill Learning Centre be assimilated to the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure including cash conserved protection rights for a period of u p to three years from the date of assimilation with the right of appeal against their evaluation; (2) sessional employees within Community Learning and Development be assimilated/ matched to the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure including cash conserved protection rights for a period of up to three years from 18 October 2008 with the right of appeal against their evaluation, and (3) a similar framework be established for other sessional employees within the wider Community Information and Learning function.

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Decided:

(1) that the seven employees from Bellshill Learning Centre be transferred to the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure, including cash conserved protection rights for a period o f up to three years from the date of assimilation, with the right of appeal against their evaluation;

(2) that the sessional employees within Community Learning and Development be assimilated/ matched into the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure, including cash conserved protection rights for a period of up to three years from 18 October 2008, with the right of appeal against their evaluation, and

(3) that a similar framework be developed for all other sessional employees within the wider Community Information and Learning function.

UPDATE ON THE COUNCIL’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONTRACTS

13. With reference to paragraph 10 of the Minute of the meeting of this Sub-Committee held on 28 May 2009 when it was agreed that the Council’s Occupational Health contract continue to be monitored through six-monthly update reports to the Sub-Committee, there was submitted a report (docketed) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of Human Resources providing a n update on the current Occupational Health service provided by Health Management Limited (HML), information on the uptake of the Employee Counselling Service (ECS) and an indication of the impact that the Occupational Health service has had on the Council’s sickness absence levels (1) intimating that, between, 1 October 2008 and 30 September 2009, there had been 1,493 referrals to HML; (2) enclosing, in Appendix 1 to the report, the percentage and number of referrals to HML by Council Services; (3) setting out, in Appendix 2 to the report, a breakdown of costs for medical referrals, health Surveillance and other associated costs which had shown a slight increase of €12,736.06 on the same period for the year previously; (4) advising that a major contributory factor in the increased costs had been a rise in uptake of the physiotherapy sessions and arrangements had been put in place to better prioritise those employees referred for physiotherapy; (5) indicating that, between 1 October 2008 and 30 September 2009, there were 251 referrals to the ECS compared to 265 referrals for the same period in the preceding year; (6) enclosing, in Appendix 3 to the report, details of the Council’s sickness absence levels month on month for the period from 1 October 2008 to 31 August 2009, which had shown significant improvement; (7) indicating that, in order to assist with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the contract, a customer satisfaction exercise was undertaken which had provided a positive response from both HR representatives and Service users, and (8) advising that, since the commencement of the contract, there had been seven issues highlighted from a total of 1,493 referrals, all of which had been reviewed and resolved satisfactorily.

Decided: that the contents of the report be noted and the contract continue to be monitored through six monthly update reports to the Sub-Committee.

CORPORATE SERVICES: SUPPORT SERVICES REVIEW - UPDATE

14. With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of the meeting of this Sub-Committee held on 28 May 2009 when, inter alia, the Head of Human Resources was authorised to agree the grades o f the posts and submit a further update report to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee, there was submitted a report (docketed) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of Human Resources, intimating that the post grades had been finalised as follows, Chief Administrative Services Manager at salary grade NLC16, Section Manager (Performance and Management) at salary grade NLC13, Section Manager (Budgetary Control and Monitoring) at salary grade NLC12, Section Manager, Registration Management, Common Services and Health and Safety Co-ordination at salary grade NLC12, six posts of Administrative Officer at salary NLC8, three posts of Administrative Assistant at salary grade NLC5 and five posts of Clerical Officer at salary grade NLC3.

POLICY AND RESOURCES (HUMAN RESOURCES) SUB - 5 November2009

Decided: that the gradings of the posts from within the Administrative Services Section of the Central Services Division of Corporate Services as detailed within t h e report, be noted.

OCCUPATIONAL STRESS RISK ASSESSMENT - PHASE 1 CONCLUSION

15. There was submitted a report (docketed) dated 21 October 2009 by Head of Human Resources regarding the conclusion of the first phase of the Council's Occupational Stress Risk Assessment Programme (1) indicating that, following the conclusion of the first phase of the Council's Occupational Stress Risk Assessment Programme, each of the Executive Directors received a Service specific report and had been asked to provide an Action Plan which related to their own Service; (2) setting out, in the report, the two main areas of concern for each Service of the Council, with "change" being the principal issue highlighted in the survey; (3) intimating that, during the assessment process, the monitoring of work related absences became possible to help put stress absence into context; (4) highlighting, in the report, Service absence figures for quarter 4 of 2008/2009, and (5) detailing the main actions which were being taken at a Service level to reduce the impact of work related stress.

Decided:

(1) that the conclusion of the first phase of the Council's Occupational Stress Risk Assessment Programme be noted;

(2) that each Service of the Council take forward their specific Action Plan;

(3) that the action proposed in the report to augment current work being undertaken be approved, and

(4) that the intention to develop a Phase 2 process, building on experience gained from the initial phase, be noted.

DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF SUGGESTION SCHEME

16. There was submitted a report (docketed) dated 29 September 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the development of a staff suggestion scheme (1) advising that Corporate Services and Housing and Social Work Services currently operate a staff suggestion scheme; (2) proposing that a staff suggestion scheme be developed and that the name "Bright Ideas" be adopted by all Services of the Council, and (3) setting out details for the operation and development of the scheme.

Decided: that the implementation of a Corporate staff suggestion scheme commencing on 1 January 201 0 be approved.

QUARTERLY ABSENCE STATISTICS - 1 APRIL TO 30 JUNE 2009

17. There was submitted a report (docketed) dated 22 October 2009 by the Head of Human Resources (1) providing absence statistics together with a breakdown of figures within Services of the Council for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2009, and (2) containing her observations thereon.

Decided: that the terms of the report be noted

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SIX MONTHLY EXCEPTIONS REPORT - SERVICE PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE PORTFOLIOS - 1 APRIL TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2009

18. There was submitted a report (docketed) dated 21 October 2009 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services (1) advising of performance results for the first half of 200912010 in relation to Service planning activity including progress against the themes contained in the Council's Corporate Plan, and progress against Service portfolios, and (2) advising of areas o f Service performance within the first six months of 200912010 which fell outwith agreed thresholds and providing information relating to performance issues and planned action to bring performance back within acceptable thresholds.

Decided: that the terms of the report be noted.

PERSONNEL UPDATE FOR MEMBERS

19. There was submitted a report (docketed) dated 22 October 2009 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services advising of various circulars which had been lodged within the Members' Library and published on the Council's lntranet System.

Decided: that the terms of the report be noted.

The Chair being of the opinion that the following item was urgent, relevant and competent authorised its consideration.

COUNCIL ESTABLISHMENT DATA

20. There was submitted a report (docketed) dated 29 October 2009 by the Head of Human Resources providing an overview of Council Establishment Data, enclosing (1) as Appendix 1 to the report, details of employee full-time equivalent (FTE) levels, headcount levels, casual workers and vacancies across Council Services; (2) as Appendix 2 to the report, half year and full year variances in headcount numbers, including permanent and temporary groups; (3) as Appendix 3 to the report, details of half year and full year variances in FTE employee numbers; (4) as Appendix 4 to the report, details of half year and full year variances in established posts and vacancies, and (5) an explanatory note for variances between 14 March and 12 September 2009.

Decided: that the established posts, employee levels, headcount levels, number of casual workers and vacancies across the Council as at 12 September 2009 be noted.

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ANNEX

Motherwell, 17 September 2009 at 2 pm.

A Meeting of the JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

PRESENT

R. Power, TGWU (Vice-Convener); Councillors Devine, F. McKay, McKenna, and McKeown; L. Millar and Stewart Ross, GMB; J. Corry, TGWU - Unite, and J. Byrne, J. Carmichael, B. Douglas, A. Gilmour, K. Lipton, G. Naismith, K. Ryall and J. Young, UNISON.

CHAIR

R. Power (Vice-Convener) presided.

IN AlTENDANCE

The Administrative Officer (Committee and Civic Governance Services); Chief Personnel Officer (Operations); Chief Personnel Officer (Policy and Training); Executive Director of Finance and Customer Services, and Head of Community Information and Learning.

APOLOGIES

Councillors Chadha, M. Coyle, Irvine, Kelly, McGlinchey, Morgan and Alan Valentine.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000

1. The meeting noted that there were no declarations of interest.

The Chair being of the opinion that the following item was urgent, relevant and competent recommended its consideration in order that the views of the Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees could be sought and following agreement by the majority of Members authorised its consideration.

BUDGET OUTLOOK - 201012011 AND SPENDING REVIEW PERIOD 201112012 TO 201312014

2. There was submitted a report (tabled) dated 7 September 2009 by the Executive Director of Finance and Customer Services (1) summarising the outlook for the Revenue Budget for 2010/2011 and for the next spending review period from 2011/2012 to 2013/2014, and (2) advising that in view of the change in the economic environment and the anticipated review of local government grant support for 2010/2011, it would be prudent that, to ensure a balanced budget position, t h e current Service and People First f 1 Om efficiency target be increased to f 15m.

Thereon the Executive Director of Finance and Customer Services intimated tha t

0 It was anticipated that the Scottish Government Budget would be announced today;

The Chancellor’s Budget Statement in 2009 confirmed the UK public expenditure allocation for 201 1/2012 and the challenging public expenditure outlook for three years from 201 1-2014;


the provisional assessment of the impact on the Council indicates that the probable gap between expenditure and income would be approximately f20m each year over the three year period;

the scale of the funding gap over the three year period would require the Council to adopt a more transformational approach to future budget decisions which would include the delivery of efficiencies, the identification of new income opportunities and service prioritisation.

Bill Douglas on behalf of the Trade Union representatives enquired why the forecast was being made in advance of the Scottish Government budget settlement and whether the f5m spending gap was consistent with the anticipated local government settlement.

In response the Executive Director of Finance and Customer Services intimated that the Council would not be notified of its individual settlement until November 2009 at which time it would be too late to develop a more transformational approach to support the scale of the funding gap and that the figures were in line with Council forecasts.

In response to an enquiry from Jane Carmichael on behalf of the Trade Union representatives the Executive Director of Finance and Customer Services indicated that the Council may need to develop an approach to meet challenging targets and to review the existing provision of services provided by the Council.

The Committee noted the position.

NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL EQUALITY STRATEGY 2009-201 2

3. There was submitted a report dated 26August 2009 by the Executive Director of Learning and Leisure Services outlining the Council's duties in respect of race, disability and gender in terms of current legislation and enclosing the first Equality Strategy 2009-2012, in Appendix 1 to the report which identified five key themes (1) involvement and consultation; (2) promoting positive attitudes; (3) access and opportunity; (4) employment, and (5) information and communication, within which were outcomes complemented by Corporate and Service actions.

Thereon the Head of Community Information and Learning intimated that the policy was a significant change in approach and complemented the Council's vision on equality.

John Byrne on behalf of the Trade Union representatives enquired whether the budget shortfall previously discussed would have an effect on the consultation with disability groups.

In response the Head of Community Information and Learning advised that a number of Services carried out consultation in respect of major policy documents and that the budget shortfall would not impact on current consultation arrangements.

Bill Douglas on behalf of the Trade Union representatives enquired what mechanisms would be put in place to consult with staff as a stakeholder group and enquired whether consideration would be given to allowing one representative from each signatory union to sit on the Corporate Equalities Working Group.

The Head of Community Information and Learning advised that consultation with staff was undertaken via the Employee Disability Forum, open staff sessions and information published on the lntranet and Council website and that consideration would be given to the request from the Trade Unions for three representatives to sit on the Corporate Equalities Working Group.


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MILEAGE RATES

4. The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that following an approach from the Head of Revenue Services, COSLA had written to HM Revenue and Customs seeking a review of mileage rates. She advised that HM Revenue and Customs were unwilling to consider any amendment to their current practice and that any attempt to increase the current figure would constitute a taxable benefit. COSLA were not in a position to negotiate on a relaxation.


JOB EVALUATION

(1) OUTSTANDING APPEALS

5. The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that there were four appeals still outstanding and it was anticipated that the outcome would be submitted to the next Job Evaluation Steering Group, scheduled to take place at the end of September.

Jane Carmichael on behalf of the Trade Union representatives expressed disappointment that there were still four cases outstanding nine months after the last appeal hearing.


(2) RED CIRCLED POSTS

6. John Young on behalf of the Trade Union representatives asked for an update on the number of red circle posts within North Lanarkshire and whether the Council was committed to reducing red circles.

The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that, subject to Council approval of a Committee report, the figure would be reduced to 74 and that where possible, the Council was committed to further reducing this figure.

Bill Douglas on behalf of the Trade Union representatives enquired whether the classification of "red circle" would still exist after November 2009.

In response the Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that technically there would no longer be "red circles" as there would be no pay protection in place.

Jane Carmichael on behalf of the Trade Union representatives intimated that some employees were losing between f4,000 and f4,500 per year and enquired what proportion of staff on red circles were in lowerlhigher wage bandings.

The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that she didn't have that information to hand but could provide further details.

Jane Carmichael enquired what support mechanisms were in place to assist staff who were in detriment.

The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that Money Advice Services were available for Council employees and that each Service of the Council would respond to individual employees' needs.


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(3) RE-EVALUATION PROCEDURE

7. John Young on behalf of the Trade Union representatives intimated that the Committee at its meeting on 11 June 2009 received an assurance that the re-evaluation procedure would be passed to the Joint Trade Unions for consultation by the end of August 2009.

The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that the Job Evaluation Steering Group had now endorsed the procedure and it had been submitted to the Corporate Management Team (CMT) for consideration. She advised that the CMT had continued consideration of the procedure in order to obtain further information.

John Young on behalf of the Trade Union representatives sought a commitment on the timescale for finalisation of the procedure and requested that the CMT prioritise consideration of the re-evaluation procedure.

The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that the timescale for approval of the procedure was now to be determined by the CMT.

The Committee agreed that the Head of Human Resources approach the CMT requesting that consideration of the re-evaluation procedure be prioritised.


SCHEME OF DELEGATION

8. Jane Carmichael on behalf of the Trade Union representatives requested that the Council give further consideration to bringing forward a Scheme of Delegation to compensate employees subject to damage or loss to personal belongings during the course of their work duties.

The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) intimated that there was no substantial change or additional information to support a change to the current Council position, wh ich is not to Support such a scheme.

Following further discussion it was agreed that the Joint Trade Union representatives would submit their request in writing.


LACK OF CONSULTATION - STRUCTURE REVIEWS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ETC

9. The Trade Union representatives expressed their concern relating t o the lack of consultation in relation to a number of reports submitted to Service Committees for consideration. They advised that consultation with the Trade Unions was a requirement and not an expectation and the current timescales for responding were not adequate and requested that the JCC discuss the broad terms of the consultation process to identify more realistic timescales for responding. They also advised that a number of Committee Reports indicated that Trade Union consultation had taken place and enquired whether this was verified by Corporate HR.

Councillor McKeown suggested that where consultation with Trade Unions takes place, the Committee report summarise the details and nature of the consultation undertaken.

In response the Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) advised that if the Trade Union representatives felt that t h e y were not being given sufficient time to respond they should notify management at the beginning of the consultation process and any specific issues regarding consultations being undertaken should be raised at the Service JCC. The Chief Personnel Officer (Operations) also

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intimated that the Corporate JCC endorsed consultation by all Services of the Council however, the timescale for responding would depend on the type of consultation and at times it may be difficult to be prescriptive. The Head of Human Resources would write to all Services reminding them of the requirement to consult with the Joint Trade Union representatives and the matter would also be raised at the Corporate HR Network.


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~~~NDA ITEM No t~..-~-~-~ · meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of...

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Transcript of ~~~NDA ITEM No t~..-~-~-~ · meeting of that Committee) dated 21 October 2009 by the Head of...