ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday, 21 October, 2004.

PRESENT:

Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); D.G. Allen; C.R.H. Davidovitz;

Mrs. S.M. Glasspool, DL; J.K. Glen; D.A. Kirk; J. Waddington; M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance: Councillors: Mrs. E.M. Byrom; K.G. Chapman; M.S. Geddes; M.J. Kendal; R.J. Kimber; Mrs. P.A. West; Jenny Wride.

382 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

383 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 September, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.

384 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

385 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

386 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following items.

387 DIRECTION OF PAY AND BENEFITS

The Cabinet received a confidential presentation by the Director of Human Resources on the direction of pay and benefits. A full discussion took place during the course of which the officers answered detailed Member questions. The Cabinet remained totally supportive of the initiative with its key thrust of a flatter structure with fewer grades and, recognising the massive scale of the exercise, was satisfied with progress.

388 WORKFORCE PLAN 2004/05 REVIEW - OVERVIEW

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on key workforce information updated to 30 September 2004, together with reports from individual departments.

The Director of Human Resources presented her overview report, providing further information and clarifying issues in response to Member questions as she did so. This was followed by an examination of the situation in individual departments with Chief Officers/Deputy Chief Officers attending to amplify their reports as necessary and again, to answer Member questions. Particular attention was given to the use of consultancy and agency staff and the inevitable differences between departments in this area; the continuing efforts to reduce staff absence levels through, where necessary, improved management practices, and new initiatives including those aimed at enhancing staff health and wellbeing; and turnover rates and their reasons. Other issues covered included age profiles and "growing your own staff". For future reports the Cabinet asked departments to provide fuller details of skill shortages and staff development.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet noted the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

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