Policy and Resources (Personnel) Sub-Committee 13 April 2006
From Nigov
Policy and Resources Committee
Thursday, 13th April, 2006
MEETING OF POLICY AND RESOURCES (PERSONNEL) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Cobain (Chairman); and Councillors Ekin, Mullaghan, Rodgers, Smyth and Wilson
- In attendance:
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Cunningham, Moore and Rodway.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 9th March, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Local Government Pension Scheme Strike
The Head of Human Resources provided the Members with an update on the impact on Council Services of the industrial action which had taken place on 28th March, together with the contingency planning for any ongoing action. He explained that the next strike action was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 26th April. However, press coverage had indicated that one national union had suspended strike action following the agreement of a framework for discussions with Government. Local Trades Unions would be recommending to their Members that they suspend their strike action also. He pointed out that this could not be confirmed until the Unions had met to vote on the matter but he would keep the Members advised when detailed information became available.
Noted.
Single Status Implementation
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to the implementation of Single Status.
After discussion, the Committee noted the contents of the report.
Meeting with Trade Union Officials
The Head of Human Resources reported that the biannual meeting with Trade Union Officials had been scheduled to take place on 11th April. However, since the last meeting, which had taken place on 6th October, the focus of engagement with the Trades Unions had centered largely around the implementation of the Single Status Agreement, with the Unions having been afforded the opportunity to address the Sub Committee and put forward their position in the matter at its meeting held on 9th February. He explained that, given the current stage of work on the Single Status Agreement, with the emphasis being on completion of the job evaluation stage, it had been considered appropriate to defer the next meeting with the Trade Union Officials until the outcome of the job evaluation stage was known and the Members had had the opportunity to be briefed on the detail in relation to costs and the possible impact on the workforce.
The Sub-Committee agreed that the meeting with full-time Trades Union Officials be deferred until August/September when the sole or main agenda item would be Single Status.
The Local Government Auditor's Report on Absence in Northern Ireland Local Authorities - 2004-2005
The Head of Human Resources submitted the undernoted report in respect of the Local Government Auditor’s Report on absence rates in Northern Ireland Local Authorities for 2005/2005.
After discussion, during which the Sub-Committee noted that the Council’s Annual Return of Sickness Absence Report 2005/2006 would be submitted to the next scheduled meeting, the Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report.
Local Government Staff Commission and Training Group Budget 2006/2007
The Head of Human Resources advised the Members that, in accordance with Schedule 3, Paragraph 7 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, the budget for the operation of the Local Government Staff Commission was to be apportioned between all District Councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The annual funding was discharged by the Department of the Environment through deductions from the General Grant payable to Councils under Article 41 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
He explained that this year of sum of £570,572 was required to fund activities. The apportionment arrangements, which were based on the net rateable value of the District Councils, meant that the Council with a net rateable value of £4,650,440, was required to pay 19.3119% of the Commission’s budget, that is, £110,118.05. In addition, a budget of £215,000 for the financial year 2006/07 had been determined by the Local Government Training Group and approved by the Staff Commission. This amount was apportioned also on the basis of the net rateable value of each District Council and accordingly the Council was required to contribute £51,450.98 to the training fund for the next year. The Head of Human Resources outlined the benefits which accrued to the Council from annual subscriptions to the Local Government Staff Commission and the Training Group.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
The Annual Fair Employment Monitoring Return
The Sub-Committee considered a report which had been prepared by the Head of Human Resources concerning the Council’s Annual Monitoring Return to the Equality Commission. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, during which the Head of Human Resources undertook to provide further information in relation to applicants and appointees, promotions and a breakdown on the reasons for employees leaving the Council, the Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report.
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 being of the Consultative Committee being tabled for the information of the Members. Accordingly, the agenda and minutes of the Joint Consultative Committee which had been held on 16th March, copies of which had previously been circulated, were submitted for consideration.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Standing Order 56 – Employment of Relatives
It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Order 56 and the authority delegated to him by the Sub-Committee at its meeting on 27th June, 2005, the Director of Corporate Services had authorised the appointment of Messrs. P. Grimes and C. Workman to the posts of Casual Porter/Crew, Waterfront Hall, Mr. S. Whyte to the post of Casual Recycling Operative and Ms. J. Pimley to the post of Business Improvement Consultant. Each person appointed was related to an existing Officer of the Council.
The Sub-Committee noted the appointments.
Chairman
