Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 13^th February, 2020 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th February 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair informed Members that he had agreed to accept one item of urgent business, the Pay Policy Statement 2020/2021. The reason for urgency was that the Policy had to be agreed by Council by 31^st March 2020.

The Chair informed Members that the item on the agenda which would have been held in private, the Corporate Services Restructure – Project Delivery and Transformation Team – had been withdrawn. The only other item for consideration was the Pay Policy Statement 2020/2021.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services (to follow) 

The Chair adjourned the Committee meeting, to allow ten minutes’ reading time for the urgent business report, from 6.15pm to 6.25pm.

The Head of HR submitted a report asking the Personnel Committee to consider and recommend to Council the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2020 – 2021, as required by the Localism Act 2011.

Members asked a number of questions, which the Director of Corporate Services and the HR Business Partner responded to.

Regarding Chief Officers’ progression, it was noted that progressions would not be automatic, but would need to be approved by the Personnel Committee; this would be dealt with after the Chief Executive’s appraisal and his subsequent appraisals of the Chief Officers’ progress against their objectives.

Members asked that the following issues be corrected or clarified:-

To make it clear that, following the conclusion of the national consultation, the Council will work towards a minimum wage of £10 per hour.

That the typographical error in paragraph 3.3 be corrected so that the figure reads £64,269 (not £64.269)

That clarification be provided regarding the NJC/SCP.

That the words “pending any pay award agreement” replace the words “until advised” in paragraph 5.1 of the statement.

After consideration of the report, it was proposed by Councillor Caroline Jackson and seconded by Councillor Black:

“That, subject to the amendments above, the Pay Policy Statement 2020/2021 be recommended to Council for approval.”

The proposal was carried when put to the vote.

Resolved:

That, subject to the amendments above, the Pay Policy Statement 2020/2021 be recommended to Council for approval on 18 March 2020.