Agenda and minutes

Councillor Jeff Lovell was elected Chair for 2019/20. As Councillor Lovell had given his apologies, it was noted that the Vice Chair would be required to take the Chair for this meeting.

Councillor Paula O'Rourkewas elected Vice-Chair for 2019/20. Councillor Paula O'Rourke took the Chair for this meeting in the absence of the Chair.

Apologies received from Councillor Jeff Lovell and Councillor Gary Hopkins, no substitutes.

The Chair welcomedall parties to the meeting and introductions were made.

Councillors: Harriet Bradley, Richard Eddy, Gary Hopkins, Jeff Lovell, Ruth Pickersgill, Paula O'Rourke, Jon Wellington 

Membership of the Human Resources Committee for 2019/20, set out below, was noted.

Councillors Harriet Bradley, Richard Eddy, Gary Hopkins, Jeff Lovell, Ruth Pickersgill, Paula O'Rourke, Jon Wellington. 

To note the Terms of Reference as approved at Full Council on 21 May, 2019

The Terms of Reference were noted.

Meetings to commence at 10 am on the following dates -

26 September 2019;

7 November 2019;

16 January 2020;

5 March 2020;

30 April 2020;

Agreed that all future meetings would commence at 10 am on the following dates -

26 September 2019;

7 November 2019;

16 January 2020;

5 March 2020;

30 April 2020.

There wereno declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record.

Resolved – that the Minutes of theprevious meeting held on 9 May2019 beagreed as a correct recordand signed by the Chair subject to Minute 9 (2) being re-worded as – ‘Some Members expressed the view that the report was incomplete and should have included the salary of the Interim Director for Growth and Regeneration’.

Matter arising from Minute No. 4 – regarding writing to Councillor Cheney this had not yet been done, the Head of Human Resources agreed to draft a letter on behalf of the former Chair, Councillor Jon Wellington.

NB. up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum.  The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda.  Please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:-

Questions - Written questions must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting.  For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office at the latest by5 pm on 28 June, 2019.

Petitions and Statements - Petitions and statements must be received on the working day prior to the meeting.  For this meeting this means that your submission must be received in this office at the latest by 12.00 noon on 3 July, 2019.

None received.

To note the work programme.

The Committee considered the draft Work Programme for 2019/20. The following amendments were made and agreed –

1.     September meeting to include a presentation about the Council’s  new HR and Payroll System iTrent system following some concerns that had been raised by employees to members of the committee. Individual cases raised to be referred to Head of Human Resources;

2.     Gender Pay gap for April meeting to include other equalities issues, ethnicity, disability;

3.     Equality issues around selection of senior officers to be included under HR Policies at the September meeting.

That under s.100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1 (respectively) of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Act.

That under s.100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1 (respectively) of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee was advised that following a benchmarking exercise and a review of the roles and responsibilities of this post, it had been recommended that the annual salary for this appointment be set at the maximum of the range for the Executive Director – People role. 

After due consideration, the recommendation was put to the vote. There were two members in favour, two against and one abstention. The Chair then exercised her casting vote, in favour, and it was -

Resolved – that the annual salary for the Executive Director - People be set at the maximum of the salary range for this appointment.

The Committee was advised that the Selection Committee had resolved to recommend that the annual salary for both of these appointments be set at the maximum of the range for the Director Education & Skills and Executive Chair: Bristol Holding Company roles respectively. 

Arising from discussion the Committee looked at the processes regarding the setting of salaries and in particular the starting salary point of newly appointed senior staff with a view to having more control on the amounts paid and where on the pay scale they should commence. It was noted that the Selection Committee played an important role in this, subject to ratification by the HR Committee.  It was suggested that that it might be preferable for the Selection Committee to determine starting salaries at the appointment stage as long as they  had all the facts including market pay data being available when coming to a decision on pay.  

It was agreed that the concerns and ideas raised should be put to Councillor Cheney (Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Finance, Governance and Performance) with a request that he address the concerns of the HR Committee and with a proposal to give more control over the process in a more transparent way.

After due consideration and on being put to the vote it was unanimously -

Resolved –

1.     That the annual salaries for the Director Education & Skills and Executive Chair: Bristol Holding Company be set at the maximum of the salary range for their respective appointments;

2.     That the concerns and ideas raised about the setting of salaries and in particular the starting salary point of newly appointed senior staff be conveyed to Councillor Cheney (Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Finance, Governance and Performance) with a request that he address the concerns of the Human Resources Committee with a proposal to give more control over the salary payment process for senior council officers. 

Resolved – that theexempt Minute extract for the meetingheld on 9 May 2019be agreedas a correct record and signed by theChair.