Agenda Item 6
JOINT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Minutes of a meeting of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held in Room 2,
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer on 20 October 2011
Members Present:
Mrs S A Arnold
Mr K E Johnson (Chair)
Mr P W High
Staff Side Present:
Mr S Case
Mrs C Lowin-Green
Mr P Godwin
Officers in Attendance:
The Organisational Development Manager and the
Democratic Services Team Leader.
1
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Mrs H Eales, Mrs B A McGoun and Miss S Tudhope.
2
MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held on 18
July 2011 were approved as a correct record.
3
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None received.
4
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
5
SICKNESS ABSENCE UPDATE
a) Absence figures were lower for the first quarter. They were also lower for the
second quarter although this had not yet been updated on the report to JSCC.
b) A concern was expressed that staff who were approaching a trigger for interview
were taking leave, instead of sickness absence, when they were unwell. It was
agreed that if managers realised that a member of their team was doing this, they
should not allow it. The Organisational Development Manager would update SMT
on this matter. It was to be hoped that as staff became more accustomed to the
Absence Policy they would begin to find it less stressful.
c) A concern was expressed from UNISON that sickness figures might increase as
a result of stress caused by the implementation of the Pay and Grading review.
6
GENERAL UPDATES
Shared Services
No further updates were available.
JSCC
20 October 2011
GENERAL UPDATES
(Continued)
Pay and Grading
a) A report on Pay and Grading had gone to Full Council the previous evening (19
October 2011). The recommendation had been approved. The Organisational
Development Manager would be writing to staff on Wednesday 26 October 2011
with details of the Council’s decisions. Until then the report could not be released.
b) There would be a 90 day consultation period which was statutory. The letter to
staff would provide links to all background papers and would explain the changes
that had taken place since staff were last contacted.
c) The consultation was to be about how the procedure for the implementation of
the Pay and Grading Review should take place. The responses would go back to
Members, who would then make a decision on the next steps.
d) All agreed that the next stage would be very difficult for everyone. The
Organisational Development Manager said it was not possible to stay in a state of
uncertainty. The matter needed to be resolved. UNISON expressed its concern
about the effect of the Pay and Grading Review on staff. Briefings were planned
to reassure staff. Members were fully aware of the sensitivity of the matter.
e) It was hoped that there would be further dialogue with UNISON during the
consultation period.
f) UNISON requested the endorsement of JSCC to allow it’s representatives
sufficient time to support staff. The Organisational Development Manager
requested information on the time that representatives were already spending on
UNISON work. UNISON confirmed that this information was being recorded and
that it would be provided.
Other Matters
a) It was understood that a presentation on the Building Control service was to be
made to Cabinet and that there would be an opportunity for staff to ask questions.
It was believed that a presentation on an option to keep the Building Control
service in-house was available. UNISON asked if this could be presented to
Cabinet too.
b) Revenues and Benefits: discussion was taking place between HR officers in the 2
authorities, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and North
Norfolk District Council regarding secondment of staff and other matters.
c) Redundancy appeals: under the Constitution, service managers had full
delegated powers to deal with day to day management and control of staff
reporting to them. UNISON would like Members to be involved in redundancy
appeals but this had not been incorporated into the redundancy appeals process.
d) The Deputy Chief Executive and the Organisational Development Manager would
look at the timetable for JSCC meetings and consider a better schedule by which
meetings could be synchronised with Cabinet and with the meetings UNISON
had with the Chief Executive.
The meeting concluded at 3.20 pm.
_______________
Chairman
JSCC
20 October 2011