Agenda and minutes

Cllr Puttock

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2016 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2016 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by members in connection with an agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised during the public participation period.

The Chairman reported that in October the Council had received an application for an all powered electrical vehicle (a Nissan).  As the application satisfied the Council’s policy concerning passenger safety with space and comfort, the Chairman had supported the officers’ decision to license the vehicle.

The application had highlighted the need for the Council’s Statement of Principles for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing to be reviewed to take account of recent developments and a report would be made to the March meeting.

To recommend to the Council that the Pay Policy Statement 2017-18 be approved.

The Committee considered the proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2017-18.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Pay Policy Statement 2017/18 as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes be approved.

To consider revised arrangements for the operation of the Industrial Relations Committee.

The Committee considered the recommendations of the Industrial Relations Committee that a new Employee Engagement Panel should be established in its place, with revised membership and operating procedures.

The Cabinet had also considered the issue at their meeting on 4 January and had supported the principle.  The Committee considered that there should be four Employer Side substitutes rather than two, and that there should be a quorum of four comprising at least two members from each side (Employee and Employer).  

RECOMMENDED:

That with immediate effect, the Industrial Relations Committee be discontinued and replaced with the Employee Engagement Panel (EEP), with the following applying:

(i)         That the EEP meet 4 times per year, and on the following dates and times in 2017/18:-

16 February 2017 – 2.00 p.m.

1 June 2017 – 10.00 a.m.

7 September 2017 – 2.30 p.m.

7 December 2017 – 10.00 a.m.

15 February 2018 – 2.30 p.m.

(ii)        That the terms of reference of the EEP be as set out in Appendix 1 to the report to the Committee;

(iii)       That the agenda and reports be not published to the press and public;

(iv)       That arrangements for EEP membership be as follows:

4 Elected Members (+ four nominated substitutes)

2 Unison Representatives (+1 nominated substitute)

1 Unite Representative, (+1 nominated substitute)

1 Representative from GMB. (Can be substituted by GMB, UNISON or

UNITE)

[Elected Member appointments will be made by full Council. The union representatives should be nominated to the Panel’s secretary (Democratic Services) and may be amended by giving notice in writing];

(v)        That the Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship alternate between the Employer’s and Employee’s sides, unless it is mutually agreed to vary the arrangement;

(vi)       That the agreement of both the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Committee be obtained before any meeting is cancelled;

(vii)      That there be a 15 minute employee participation period at the start of each meeting to allow any non-union member to speak on individual items on the agenda. Notice of the issue to be raised must be given to Democratic Services two working days before of the meeting;

(viii)     That officers be authorised to make any consequential alterations to the Constitution; and

(ix)       That the operation of the new Panel be reviewed after 12 months.

To comment to the Cabinet on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2017 – 2018.

Members considered the medium term financial plan and annual budget for 2017/18 insofar as it related to the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be advised that the Committee has no comments to make on the 2017/18 base budget for the service areas falling within the terms of reference of this Committee.

To approve the fees and charges for 2017/18.

Members considered the fees and charges for 2017/18 for the services which were the responsibility of the General Purposes and Licensing Committee.

Members had no comments to make.

RECOMMENDED:

That the fees and charges for 2017/18, as set out in Appendix 2 to these minutes be approved.