Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Contact: Email: committees@broxtowe.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

20.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

21.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 12 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 December 2020.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.  

22.

REFERENCES

22.1

Local Joint Consultative Committee pdf icon PDF 113 KB

25 February 2021

Acting Up and Honoraria Policy

 

It was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor D Grindell that the recommendation be amended to “the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council and HR can make a one off payment for exceptional work where there is no opportunity to progress through the pay increments with a minimum of £4 per day, dating back to the start of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.  On being put to the meeting, the motion was passed unanimously.

 

RECOMMENDED to Personnel Committee that amendments to the Acting Up and Honoraria Policy be approved and that the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council and HR can make a one off payment for exceptional work where there is no opportunity to progress through the pay increments with a minimum of £4 per day, dating back to the start of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25 February 2021

Acting Up and Honoraria Policy

 

The Committee welcomed the Acting Up and Honoraria Policy. They discussed the opportunity for employees to diversify and upgrade their skills and reward employees for undertaking acting up. The amendments, in addition would encourage staff to continue to go the extra mile, knowing that the additional work and responsibility would be recognised in an appropriate financial recompense, and allow Managers more scope to fill skill gaps for the future and support succession planning.

 

 Councillor M Radulovic MBE thanked all staff particularly the staff at the depot and frontline staff. No services within Broxtowe have closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and made particular reference to the cleansing teams especially at the beginning of lockdown. 

 

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor P J Owen and seconded by Councillor P D Simpson when took to the vote this amendment was carried.

 

RESOLVED that, the Acting Up and Honoraria Policy be approved with any decisions being made to be reported to the next Personnel Committee.

22.2

Local Joint Consultative Committee pdf icon PDF 130 KB

25 February 2021

Care Leavers Interview Scheme

 

The Consultative Committee considered the introduction of the Care Leaver’s Interview Scheme, including suggestions that the Unions could offer support, there be a focus on apprenticeships and that there be partnership working with the Job Centre.

 

RECOMMENDED, unanimously, to the Personnel Committee that the introduction of a Care Leavers Interview Scheme be approved.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25 February 2021

Care Leavers Interview Scheme

 

The Committee noted the scheme that guarantees interviews to Care Leavers who meet the essential criteria of an advertised position’s person specification and how the Council could support young people who have been in care by breaking down employment barriers and implementing supportive employment policies.

The Care Leavers Association definition in the policy was commented a better option than The Children Leaving Care) Act 2000 and should be used to apply the scheme.

 

 Councillor D K Watts proposed the amendment to the recommendation and Councillor H Land seconded this. When took to the vote this amendment was carried.

 

RESOLVED that, the Care Leavers Interview Scheme be approved with the definition from the Care Leaver’s Association be adopted within the scheme.

22.3

Local Joint Consultative Committee pdf icon PDF 109 KB

25 February 2021

Neurodiversity Policy

 

The proposed introduction of a Neurodiversity Policy was discussed, including a minor amendment to the wording.  Consideration was given to the importance of training on neurodiversity for all staff, so that awareness could be raised.

 

It was noted that the Council was one of the first to propose such a policy, the aim of which was to offer assistance to and remove stigma from colleagues identified as neurodiverse. 

 

RECOMMENDED unanimously to the Personnel Committee the introduction of a neurodiversity policy, with minor amendments, be approved.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25 February 2021

Neurodiversity Policy

 

The Committee welcomed the new Neurodiversity Policy; the policy formally outlines the approach the Council can support employees that may be considered as neurodiverse. The policy covers (but not limited to): ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Tourette’s.

The Councillors were impressed that Broxtowe are leading the way with the continued commitment to supporting employees with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions.  

The report writer was praised by the Committee for such an excellent Policy and after benchmarking other Local Authorities it was recognised that Broxtowe is to be the first Council to have a neurodiversity policy.

 

RESOLVED that, the Neurodiversity Policy be approved.

23.

SALARY SACRIFICE CAR LEASE SCHEME pdf icon PDF 177 KB

To consider the introduction of a new employee salary sacrifice car lease scheme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillors were introduced to a new employee salary sacrifice car lease scheme. With the Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, the introduction of a salary sacrifice car lease scheme. Whilst being a benefit to its employees, would also allow the Council to have some control over its business-related emissions for those taking up the scheme.

Savings to the Council in terms of lower employer’s national insurance and superannuation contributions would depend upon the take up of the scheme by employees. There is also the option to buy the car after the lease period. Discussions took place surrounding the benefits of electric cars and charging points across the Borough.

RESOLVED that the introduction of a salary sacrifice car lease scheme as set out in the report be approved.

24.

SUCCESSION PLANNING FRAMEWORK pdf icon PDF 251 KB

To advise Committee of the introduction of a framework to assist in the process of Succession Planning.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were advised of the introduction of a framework to assist in the process of Succession Planning. The framework would ensure Broxtowe has identified its key posts and have considered issues of resilience in support of the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2020-24. The framework detailed the definition of succession planning, the roles and responsibilities of those involved, how to identify successors for vacant post and how to recruit and select successors.  

 

RESOLVED that the Succession Planning Framework and an update on the Framework be reported back to the Personnel Committee within 12 months be approved.

25.

NOTING REPORTS pdf icon PDF 177 KB

The following reports are to be noted

·       Workforce Profile

·       Disability Confident Status

·       Mental Health Update

·       Organisational Development Strategy

·       Threats of Suicide

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee NOTED the following reports.

 

·         Workforce Profile

·         Disability Confident Status

·         Mental health Update

·         Organisational Development Strategy

·         Threats of Suicide

26.

WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 115 KB

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the work programme.

 

RESOLVED that the work programme with the additional item to review procedures of dealing with threats of suicide be approved.

27.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

 

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press 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 paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1,2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.  

28.

EARLY RETIREMENT

Minutes:

RESOLVED that, the early retirement of the Customer Services Team leader (C72) on 30 April 2021 on a full pension without actuarial reduction be approved.

29.

RESTRUCTURE

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the proposals outlined in the detailed report be approved.  

30.

FINANCE SERVICES - ESTABLISHMENT CHANGE

Minutes:

RESOLVED that, with effect from 1 April 2021, the establishment changes to the Accountancy section within the Finance Services division as set out in the report be approved.