Community and Recreation (Parks and Cemeteries) Sub-Committee 7 November 2005

From Nigov

C352

Community and Recreation Committee

Monday, 7th November, 2005

SPECIAL MEETING OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATION (PARKS AND CEMETERIES SERVICES) SUB-COMMITTEE

Members present: Councillor Rodgers (Chairman); and Councillors Attwood, Cush, Hartley, Humphrey and McClenaghan.

In attendance:

• Mr. M. Elder, Director of Community and Recreation;
• Mr. M. Parkinson, Head of Parks and Cemeteries Services;
• Mr. A. Noble, Business Support Manager;
• Ms. E. Boyle, Consultant, Business Improvement Section; and
• Miss L. Hillick, Committee Administrator .

Apologies

Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Austin, Long and O’Reilly.

Review of Client Contractors Split – Development of a New Management Structure to Support the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section

The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 12th September, it had agreed to affirm its decision of 9th August in connection with the development of a New Management Structure to Support the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section, subject to the omission of those decisions in relation to the Parks Estates and Bereavement Services Units, to enable representatives of the GMB Trades Union to attend a future meeting in order to present its views thereon. In addition, the Community and Recreation Committee, at its meeting on 20th September, had agreed to accede to a request which had been received from the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance that it be afforded also the opportunity to present its views in relation to the Review.

Accordingly, it was reported that Messrs. J. Dawson, P. Magee and S. Stockman, representing the GMB Trades Union, and Mr. J. Parker, representing the Transport and General Workers Union were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

Mr. Dawson stated that, in order to improve service delivery and ensure single point accountability, the Union was of the view that a Bereavement Services Unit should be established. However, the Union was not convinced that this could be achieved through the creation of Cremation/Cemetery Manager and Cremation Officer posts, which in his opinion was contrary to what had already been agreed prior to the report on the structure being submitted to the Sub-Committee. The creation of these posts could damage the service which was being provided currently and he referred to the fact that it was the Union’s view that, in order to maintain and develop a high quality service, it would be necessary for two posts at the same grade to be created, that is, one with responsibility for cremation operations and one with responsibility for burials and the horticultural operations.

In relation to the Parks Estates Unit, Mr. Dawson stated that the Grounds Maintenance Section was managed currently in an efficient and effective manner and, should the Sub-Committee agree to change this arrangement, substantial investment in terms of staff and machinery would be required. He pointed out that the Union was of the view that consideration had not been given to the following points:

1. the cost of setting up, maintaining and developing this Unit;
2. the diverse range of functions a small Unit would be required to undertake, such as a wide range of horticultural activities, playground and litter control;
3. backup in terms of machinery breakdown and cover for staff; and
4. the geographical spread of staff under one manager and supervisor and the inherent difficulties which this would present.

He stated that the Union was of the view that the original agreed structure which had been presented to the Sub-Committee on 9th August, with a horticultural role to be subsumed into the area management structure, should remain.

In conclusion, Mr. Dawson stated that, throughout the consultation process, the GMB Trades Union officials had conducted themselves with openness and transparency, both to management and its members. The overwhelming majority of staff supported the Union’s position, which he was certain would lead to an enhanced service for the ratepayers of Belfast. Mr. Parker confirmed that the Transport and General Workers Union fully supported the GMB Union’s views in this regard.

After discussion, the Chairman, on behalf of the Sub-Committee, thanked the representatives for their presentation and they retired from the meeting.

It was reported that Mr. J. McGuigan, representing the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, was in attendance and he was welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman. Mr. McGuigan stated that the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance was of the view that the post of Graphic Artist should be retained within the current structure as it was a resource which was heavily utilised and provided value for money. The Union was of the view also that the creation of the post of Parks Estates Manager within the Parks Estates Unit would create single point accountability. It would enhance customer care and provide an on-site presence which would prove efficient and effective. In relation to the Bereavement Services Unit, he pointed out that the Assistant Area Manager for Roselawn and the Crematorium was currently providing single point accountability, with over 90% of all complaints/enquiries being dealt with by her office. He pointed out that the Sub-Committee’s preferred position of a combined Cemetery and Crematorium Manager was an example of best practice adopted by other Councils. He stated that the establishment of such a combined Manager post at the Roselawn site would improve customer focus and enhance service delivery within the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section.

The Chairman thanked Mr. McGuigan for his presentation and confirmed that correspondence had been received from the Senior Staff Association supporting the Sub-Committee’s decision of 9th August in relation to the Review. Mr. McGuigan then retired from the meeting.

After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to:

1. affirm its decision of 9th August that one Parks Estates Manager, two Operations Managers and one Parks Manager (Horticulture) be created within the Parks Estates Unit; and
2. defer consideration of its decision of 9th August in relation to the Bereavement Services Unit, to enable officers within the Parks and Cemeteries Services Section to liaise with representatives of the various Trades Unions with a view to achieving a consensus in this regard and that a report thereon be submitted for consideration at its monthly meeting scheduled to be held on 28th November.

Chairman