Archived decisions

At a meeting of the EMPLOYMENT in HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE held at THE CASTLE, WINCHESTER on TUESDAY 31 JULY 2007

Present:

Councillors:

p T.K. Thornber, CBE (Chairman)

Councillor J. K. Glen, Executive Member for Human Resources, attended with the agreement of the Chairman.

79. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A.P. Collett.

80. 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.

81. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 June 2007 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

82. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications from the Chairman.

83. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item of business as it contains exempt information within Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to any consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority and its employees, and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings. Further, it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information. While there may be a public interest in disclosing this information, namely transparency in the use of public resources, it is felt that, on balance, this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely the maintenance of good employee relations in the interests of stability in service provision, and the protection of the Council's interests in any legal proceedings which may ensue.

84. PAY AND BENEFITS (SUMMARY OF EXEMPT MINUTE)

The Committee considered the exempt report of the Acting Director of Human Resources (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the outcome of further extensive and constructive discussions with the trade unions following their memberships decision to reject the new pay arrangements in June 2007. The Committee agreed the approaches set out in the report, which took into account views expressed by the trade unions, and by schools and by staff who had contacted the Chief Executive.