Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee 11 August 2005
From Nigov
B96
Policy and Resources Committee
Thursday, 11th August, 2005
MEETING OF POLICY AND RESOURCES (PERSONNEL) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Cobain (Chairman); and Councillors Cunningham, Ekin, Kelly, P. Maskey, Moore and Rodgers.
In attendance:
- Mr. T. Salmon, Director of Corporate Services;
- Mr. S. Black, Head of Human Resources;
- Mr. J. Kennedy, Head of Single Status Task Force;
- Mrs. C. Christy, Principal Human Resources Advisor; (Development);
- Miss D. Murtagh, Principal Solicitor; and
- Mr. J. Goodall, Senior Committee Administrator.
Members’ Single Status Steering Group
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 27th June, it had agreed to re-constitute the Members’ Single Status Steering Group.
It was reported that each of the Party Groupings on the Council had made their nominations and the membership of the Steering Group would consist of the Chairman (Councillor Cobain) and Councillors Ekin, Moore, Mullaghan, Patterson and Smyth.
The Head of Human Resources reported that the Single Status Task Force had been considering many of the key Single Status issues with a view to discussing these with the Members’ Steering Group in order to work towards the development of a Management Side Position which would be reported to a future meeting of the Sub Committee. He pointed out that, since Single Status was a major issue for the Council in terms of developing new pay and reward structures and driving service improvements, it was considered that a series of briefings for each of the Party Groupings on the Council should be undertaken in order to discuss its likely implications. Subsequent to these proposals having been developed and agreed politically, they would form the basis for consultation and negotiation with the Trade Unions.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the composition of the Members’ Single Status Steering Group and agreed that an all-day briefing for the Group, to which all other Members of the Sub-Committee would be invited and at which the Principal Consultant of the Association for Public Service Excellence would be in attendance, be held in the City Hall on Wednesday, 31st August.
Single Status Agreement – Job Evaluation Exercise
The Head of Human Resources submitted the undernoted report in relation to a job evaluation exercise for all former manual graded posts.
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report.
Employment – Tribunal Cases – Year Ended 31st March, 2004
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 27th June, it had considered the annual report for the Human Resources Section in relation to the year ended 31st March and had agreed that a representative of the Legal Services Department be in attendance to discuss the numbers and types of employment/tribunal cases against the Council.
The Principal Solicitor reviewed the range of claims and outcomes during the year ended 31st March and compared these with those of the same period in the preceding year. She pointed out that the new procedures which had been introduced in respect of such claims specified that all internal means of arbitration must be exhausted prior to the case reaching the tribunal stage and this should result in a decrease in such hearings.
In response to a question from a Member, the Principal Solicitor indicated the total amount paid out in settlements by the Council during the year. She pointed out that, prior to a decision being taken in relation to the settlement of claims, the Legal Services Department would evaluate liability, take independent advice and consider the costs associated with pursuing a prolonged hearing. Settlements were entered into on the basis of no liability being accepted by the Council and on the basis of a confidentiality clause entered into by both parties.
After further discussion, during which it was agreed that the total value of settlements be reported on when the annual report was provided by the Legal Services Department, the Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Child Care Provisions
The Head of Human Resources submitted the undernoted report in relation to child care provisions within the Council.
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report.
Trade Union Co-ordinator Nominations
The Head of Human Resources reminded the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting on 25th October, 2004, it had approved the McCartan Report recommendations, as amended and agreed with the trade unions, as the basis for trade union consultation and resourcing within the Council.
One of those recommendations provided that the trade unions nominate two Trade Union Co-ordinators, one to deal with employee relations and the other with training and development. The nominations would be for a period of two years, after which each of the unions would have the opportunity, on a rotational basis, to nominate to the positions. The Head of Human Resources reported that the GMB Trade Union had nominated Mr. J. Watson to the position of Trade Union Co-ordinator (Employee Relations) and the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance had nominated Mr. G. O’Fachna as the Trade Union Co-ordinator (Development). He pointed out that the two Co-ordinators would be invited to the next meeting between the Sub-Committee and the full-time Trade Union Officials in order to be introduced to the Members.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Quarterly Return of Sickness Absence
The Head of Human Resources submitted a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, outlining the quarterly return of sickness absence in respect of the various Council Departments for the period from April till June. The report, which compared the return against the same quarter during the previous year, the previous quarter and the corporate benchmark which provided projected figures against the annual benchmark, was presented in a format which would permit comparison to be made with other public sector organisations. It was reported that the average number of days’ absence per person during the quarter, at 3.34 days, represented a decrease from the figure of 3.75 days for the comparative quarter in the previous year. In addition, absence had decreased from quarter four 2004/2005 which had stood at 4.27 average days per person. It was highlighted that 63.8% of staff had not been absent from work during the period.
The Head of Human Resources pointed out that the current absence figures within the Council represented the best return made for the first quarter year during the previous three years. However, the figure of 6% of staff who were absent for more than twenty days and accounted for 60.05% of the total working days lost continued to give concern and the matter was being addressed currently.
The Sub-Committee agreed to note the contents of sickness absence and the comments of the Head of Human Resources thereon.
Agency Staff Figures
The Head of Human Resources submitted a report in relation to the number of agency workers employed across the Council. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, during which the Sub-Committee was advised that the reported figures had been affected by staff employed on a seasonal basis and in respect of specific projects and that reducing the number of such appointments remained a priority issue which was considered at Departmental management meetings, the Sub committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that the reporting frequency of this report be amended to a quarterly basis and linked to the reports on sickness absence and overtime.
The Council’s Joint Consultative Committee
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 4th April, 1995, it had approved the establishment of a Belfast City Council Joint Consultative Committee, together with a draft constitution, subject to the agenda and minutes of each meeting of the Consultative Committee being tabled for the information of the Members. Accordingly, the agenda and minutes of the meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee which had been held on 23rd June, copies of which had previously been circulated, were noted by the Sub-Committee.
Standing Order 56 – Employment of Relatives
Exercise of Delegated Authority
The Sub-Committee was advised that the Chief Executive, on the authority delegated to him in accordance with Standing Order 42, had, during the month of July, approved the appointments of Messrs. S. Whyte, W. Martin, R. Irvine, M. McClean and S. Cooper to the posts of Sweeper/Labourer, Mr. D. Owens to the post of Pool Refuse Collector (Temporary), Mr. R. Gorman to the post of Recycling Operative (Temporary), Ms. M-C. McKeaver to the post of Clerical Officer and Mr. S. Magill to the post of Recycling Assistant (Fixed-Term Contract). The persons appointed were related to existing offices of the Council.
The Sub-Committee noted the action which had been taken by the Chief Executive.
Chairman
