Agenda item

Exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.

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(containing exempt information in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of Section 100 (4) of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Committee considered a report from the Interim Service Director (HR and Workforce) requesting voluntary severance for the Service Director (Housing Services) with effect from 31st December.

It was noted that the current occupant of this post worked on a job share basis and for health reasons did not believe that she could carry out the job on a full-time basis. It was further noted that the job share partner had already left the organisation. Officers did not believe that it would be possible to recruit to this post on a job share basis.

Councillor Paula O’Rourke expressed concern at officers’ advice on this issue and stated that attempts should first be made to appoint someone part-time to the post before voluntary severance was approved by the Committee. Officers reiterated their view that it would be very difficult to appoint part-time to the post.

Councillor Eddy moved, seconded by Councillor Jo Sergeant and, upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED (5 for, 1 against, 1 abstention) “ that the voluntary redundancy of the Service Director (Housing Services) be approved with effect from 31st December 2017.”

The Committee considered a recommendation from officers for voluntary redundancy for the Service Director (Strategic – Housing) to take voluntary redundancy with effect from 31st December 2017. The Committee’s legal adviser confirmed that, since this had been agreed as part of a voluntary severance exercise, there was a binding contractual commitment in place.

Councillors expressed concern that Councillors had not been made aware of the contractual arrangements in this case. Councillor Gary Hopkins stated that he had been made aware of a similar situation for another former employee and requested that officers investigate this and report back to the Committee at a future date.

Action: Mark Williams to report back to Committee at a future date

It was moved, seconded and, upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED (Voting – 5 for, 1 against, 1 abstention) “that the Committee notes the voluntary redundancy of the Service Director Strategic Housing with effect from 31st December 2017, which was agreed as part of the 2016/17 voluntary severance exercise”.

The Committee then considered arrangements for the ring-fence selection process where existing job holders were required to attend an interview.

The Committee expressed concerns that, in addition to the Interim Head of Paid Service and member of the Executive, the third member of the Panel should be a Councillor from an opposition party to the Executive.

It was RESOLVED (Voting – 6 for, 1 abstention) “that where existing job holders are required to attend an interview as part of the ring-fence selection process, the panel members will be the Interim Head of Paid Service, a member of the Executive and a Councillor from an opposition party to the Executive”. The Committee noted that this resolution was subject to the Selection Committee as the proper Council body responsible for selecting JNC chief officers.

The Committee then discussed the need for officers to be authorised to issue contractual notices of redundancy to remaining Strategic Directors and Service Directors where they are not successful in securing a role in the new structure.

The Interim Service Director (HR and Workforce) confirmed that officers hoped to speak to affected individuals by the end of the week commencing Monday 11th December 2017.

Councillors agreed that it was important that rigorous efforts were made to ensure that suitable alternative employment was provided wherever possible. Officers agreed to ensure that all relevant information was provided to Human Resources Committee members as soon as existing job holders had been advised of the process. Action: Mark Williams/John Walsh

Officers also confirmed that any job holder unhappy with the classification of their job or the methods of appointment could raise a challenge via the Appeals Committee.

Upon being moved and seconded, the Committee RESOLVED (6 for, 1 abstention) “that in consultation with the Chair, the Interim Service Director HR and Workforce be authorised to issue contractual notice of dismissal on grounds of redundancy (with no pay in lieu of notice) to remaining Strategic Directors and Service Directors where they are not successful in securing a role in the new structure.”

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the voluntary redundancy of the Service Director (Housing Services) be approved with effect from 31st December 2017;

(2)        That the Committee notes the voluntary redundancy of the Service Director Strategic Housing with effect from 31st December 2017, which was agreed as part of the 2016/17 voluntary severance exercise;

(3)        that where existing job holders are required to attend an interview as part of the ring-fence selection process, the panel members will be the Interim Head of Paid Service, a member of the Executive and a Councillor from an opposition party to the Executive (noting that this resolution is subject to consideration/ratification by the Selection Committee);

(4)        that in consultation with the Chair, the Interim Service Director HR and Workforce be authorised to issue contractual notice of dismissal on grounds of redundancy (with no pay in lieu of notice) to remaining Strategic Directors and Service Directors where they are not successful in securing a role in the new structure;

(5)        that officers investigate how contractual arrangements for the Service Director (Strategic – Housing) had been agreed and also concerns of a similar situation for another former employee and report back to the Committee at a future date;

(6)        that all relevant information concerning the selection process is provided to Human Resources Committee members as soon as existing job holders had been advised of the process.