Agenda item

Members are asked to bring with them their copy of the agenda of the Local Joint Panel meeting held on 12 December 2018.

To consider the recommendations on the matters below:

(A)                               Flexible Working scheme

                     (Minute 8 refers)

(B)                               Appeals Policy

(Minute 9 refers)

(C)                               Revisions to the Local Joint Panel’s Constitution))

(Minute 10 refers)

The Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development commented that at the last meeting, the Panel discussed the issue of the Restructure Consultation Policy and referred to the current positive working relationship with UNISON.

The Committee Chairman referred to the Minutes of the LJP and of three issues requiring approval by Members of Human Resources, these were:

·       Flexible Working Scheme

·       Appeals Policy

·       Revisions to the Local Joint Panel’s Constitution

The Committee Chairman expressed concern about the current process in terms of Members of the HR Committee (HRC) being asked to approve reports which he stated, had no supporting information within the context of the HR agenda and that it felt that this amounted to a “rubber stamping” exercise.

The Democratic Services Officer explained the current process, in that Members (of HRC) were also forwarded a copy of the Local Joint Panel agenda when the reports were considered by Panel Members on 12 December 2018. Members were therefore provided will all relevant information for consideration by HRC on 9 January 2019 so that an informed decision could be taken.  The Democratic Services Officer also advised that within the HRC Agenda, Members were also “asked to bring with them their copy of the agenda for the Local Joint Panel meeting held on 12 December 2018” as a point of further reference.

Members were reminded that the LJP was an advisory Panel and could not approve reports and that this responsibility lay with Members of Human Resources Committee. It was further noted that changes to the LJP’s constitution needed to be referred to Council for approval.

Members debated at length, the wording used in the resolution concerning the proposed change to the LJP’s constitution.  The Committee Chairman suggested that this wording should be changed.  Members were advised that it was not within the remit of HRC to make changes to the LJP’s Minutes but that it could resolve to make a change within the context of its own Minutes.  This was supported.

The Committee Chairman suggested that the proposed changes to the Flexible Working Scheme and Appeals Policy  be deferred and included for consideration on the next Human Resources agenda.  Members noted that this was a change to the current process and that this change would need to be discussed with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee Chairman suggested that in relation to the proposed changes to the Local Joint Panel’s Constitution that the recommendation of Human Resources to Council should be:

“Members resolved that the revised Local Joint Panel’s Constitution be presented to Council subject to the deletion of 7.15e in Essential Reference Paper “B”.

This was supported.  It was proposed by Councillor P Ruffles and seconded by Councillor S Bull that the motion, as detailed be supported.   After being put to the meeting and a vote taken the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - that (A) that the Appeals Policy and the proposed changes to the Flexible Working Scheme be deferred for inclusion on the next Human Resources agenda; and

(B)   Members resolved that the proposed revisions to Local Joint Panel’s Constitution be presented to Council subject to the deletion of 7.15e in Essential Reference Paper “B”.

(C)   that the current process of referring the Local Joint Panel’s recommendations to Human Resources Committee for approval, be referred to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.