Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence

2.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6.

Minutes:

The Senior Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure

3.

Declarations of Interest

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or other interest  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Minutes:

There was none

4.

To Announce any Urgent Business Agreed by the Chair

Minutes:

The Divisional Director - Legal and Democratic Services stated that another individual case of redundancy compensation had arisen which would require a decision by the Committee. The Chair agreed that this be taken as Urgent Business in Exempt Session at the end of the meeting.

5.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 31 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 4th December 2012

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 4th December 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair

6.

Questions and Statements

Minutes:

There was none

7.

Future Council - Implementation Proposals pdf icon PDF 234 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Human Resources and the recommendations set out in paragraph 2

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Referring to the Minutes of the meeting held on 25th July 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Head of Human Resources which (1) dealt with recommendations for the approval of new senior management arrangements in respect of the Resources, Place and People portfolios in accordance with the Committee’s Terms of Reference; and (2) asked the Committee to determine arrangements for the approval of severance payments to senior staff in the light of guidance from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

 

The Head of Human Resources tabled an update on the financial implications (which is attached as an Appendix to these Minutes). He also verbally updated Appendix 3, deleting reference to “Highways project delivery” in the portfolio of the Divisional Director – Project, and in Appendix 4 varying the post title of Divisional Director – Planning in the proposed new “Place” structure.

 

After discussion, the Members considered that the recommendations in paragraphs 2.1 – 2.4 were acceptable.

 

The Divisional Director - Legal and Democratic Services reported on the reasoning for the recommendation in paragraph 2.5. Members questioned whether severance packages with a total cost in excess of £100,000 should be a decision for full Council rather than the Restructuring Implementation Committee. The Chief Executive and Divisional Director - Legal and Democratic Services advised that this would be considered by Council in February when the Pay Policy was reviewed. In the meantime, there were 2 individual cases which needed to be considered. Such consideration was clearly within the Committee’s remit pending that review.

 

Members agreed to consider these before full Council is given the options of whether future decisions should be for the Committee or the Council in February 2014.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  To note the current position in respect of the Resources Services as outlined in paragraphs 5.6 and 5.7 of the report and approve the draft senior management structure, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, for implementation;

 

(2)  To approve the organisational arrangements including senior management structure in the People and Communities Department, as outlined in paragraphs 5.11 – 5.13 and Appendix 5 to the report, including arrangements reflecting the transfer of the Public Health function from the NHS on 1st April 2013;

 

(3)  To note the current position in respect of Place Services, as outlined in paragraphs 5.8 and 5.10 and approve the draft senior management structure, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, for implementation, subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process;

(4)  To delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Spokespersons of the Committee, authority to take any action necessary or appropriate in respect of the structures approved to enable the implementation of the proposals; and

 

(5)  To agree that the following be adopted as interim practice by the Council pending the next formal review of its Pay Policy in February 2014:

(i)  Any proposed severance package with a total cost to the Council in excess of £100,000 be referred to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Exclusion of the Public pdf icon PDF 26 KB

The Committee is asked to agree:

 

That, having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information and, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that, having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information and, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A of the Act as amended.

9.

Redundancy Compensation - Individual Case (1)

Minutes:

The Committee considered an updated exempt report by the Head of Human Resources which sought agreement to a dismissal by reason of redundancy.

 

The Divisional Director - Legal and Democratic Services provided amended wording to the recommendation.

 

Members discussed the issues. It was stated that the matter had been discussed on an informal basis with relevant Cabinet Members.

 

RESOLVED that the proposal be approved subject to further clarification concerning the business case and the consequential additional savings and the Chief Executive be given delegated authority to take all necessary steps to implement the proposals set out in the report.

10.

Proposed Redundancy - Individual Case (2)

Minutes:

The Head of Human Resources reported on a further individual case for proposed redundancy. He identified the costs and benefit to the Council of the proposal.

 

Members discussed the proposal and the circumstances giving rise to it.

 

RESOLVED that the proposal be approved and the Chief Executive be given delegated authority to take all necessary steps to implement the proposals.