Agenda and minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters to be considered at this meeting.

None..

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Employment and Appeals Committee held on Monday 10 July 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of Employment and Appeals Committee held on Monday 10 July 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by those who were in attendance.

Report of the Human Resources Manager to present to the Employment and Appeals Committee additions and amendments to Human Resource Policies.

The Human Resources Manager, Jane Collier, submitted a report presenting six policies and procedures that had been amended.

Jane introduced the report and provided members with a brief overview of the policies.

Jane introduced the policy and explained that there had been minor amendments made throughout this policy. She informed the councillors that in the event of an Appeal Hearing this was the policy that would be followed. Jane reminded members that appeals training had been organised and encouraged committee members to attend.

Councillor Birch questioned if there could be a clearer way of setting out the changes made to policies. Jane confirmed that significant changes to policies was outlined in the covering report.  Minor factual amendments had been made to the Appeals against Dismissal Policy.

Jane introduced the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure, the Chief Officer Disciplinary Policy and Procedure and the Grading Review and Appeals Policy and Procedure. She explained that all three had amendments made to the suspension section to clarify that if someone on suspension was certified as unfit due to illness, payments would be provided in accordance with the council's sick pay provision.

She also clarified that suspension would not normally be for more than 60 days and that this had been added to the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure for consistency.

Jane provided an answer to a question about the appointment of a liaison officer.

Jane introduced the policy and highlighted minor amendments made to include that appeals of joint positions must have a 100 per cent agreement of all post holders and clarification that the employee, line manager or Head of Service could be called into the review meetings to clarify points to the appeal hearing.

Jane introduced this policy and confirmed that it was in line with statutory provisions. She added that the policy had been updated to include that the approval for granting time off for training was the responsibility of the relevant Director.

Jane responded to comments regarding requests for time off to attend trade union training courses. She also responded to a question regarding appeals against dismissal and the encouragement of informal resolutions.

Jane clarified the three-year policy review cycle, however policies would be reviewed sooner by the committee if there was a change in legislation or best practice.

After further discussions, the committee approved each of the following Human Resources policies and arrangements:

·       Appeals against Dismissal Policy

·       Disciplinary Policy and Procedure

·       Chief Officer Disciplinary Policy and Procedure

·       Protected Officer Disciplinary Policy and Procedure

·       Grading Review and Appeals Policy Procedure

·       Time Off for Trade Union Duties