Decisions

The Committee had been asked to considered when the Article 4 Direction concerning Housing in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Beeston should come into force.  It was noted that once the Committee had made a decision regarding the implementation date of the Direction, a six week consultation would need to take place and an extraordinary meeting of the Committee would take place to consider responses. 

During the debate it was stated that if twelve months had not passed between the confirmation of the Order and the Direction coming into force, then the Council could be liable for substantial amounts of compensation.  There was concern, however, that a number of developments would take place during the twelve month waiting period and that this would irrecoverably change the character of the areas where HMOs were becoming more commonplace.  

It was proposed by Councillor P Lally and seconded by Councillor D A Elliott that the Direction should come into force nine months from the confirmation of the Order and that the Council should proceed to the consultation stage as outlined in appendix 1.

A counter proposal was made by Councillor R I Jackson and seconded by Councillor D D Pringle that the Direction should come into force twelve months from the confirmation of the Order and that the Council should proceed to the consultation stage as outlined in appendix 1.  On being put to the meeting, the motion was passed.

RESOLVED that the Direction should come into force twelve months from confirmation of the Order and that the Council should proceed to the consultation stage as outlined in appendix 1.

The Committee discussed the Stapleford Town Investment Plan, and voiced concern that it did not adequately deal with the issues of job creation, resilience or vision.  It was noted that there was much to be commended about the plan, in particular the level of detail about employment in the Stapleford area.  There was also discussion about the uncertainty about HS2. 

Debate progressed, and it was noted that the people of Stapleford had been key in driving the plan in the direction of cycling, town centre improvement and an enhanced recreational offer.  It was stated that skills needed investment to attract highly skilled jobs to the area.  There followed a discussion about future engagement and consultation.  It was considered that some changes could be made to make the document more likely in succeeding to get funding from the Towns Deal Fund. 

RESOLVED that the Stapleford Town Investment Plan be APPROVED.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.  The title of the Update on the Article 4 Direction/HMO Policy was changed to Determination on the Article 4 Direction/HMO Policy following Consultation, the meeting of the 26 June was corrected to read 24 June 2021, and an item on the Jobs Club in Stapleford was added to the programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

Subject to a minor amendment the minutes of the meeting on 19 November 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the revised Town Centre Trading Policy for the use of all Council owned squares.

There was a discussion about the wording of item 3.1 which concerned market stalls and existing businesses.   There was a minor change to the wording, though it was noted that applications from market traders could not be turned down based on the presence of similar businesses in town centres.  The benefits of competition in town centres were noted. 

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Town Centre Trading policy and the revised policy be APPROVED and implemented with immediate effect.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.