Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the EMPLOYMENT IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 22 January 2009.

PRESENT:

Councillors:

p T.K.Thornber, CBE (Chairman);

Councillor JK Glen, Executive Member for Skills and Economic Development and Human Resources was also in attendance at the request of the Chairman.

124 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or 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 save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code.

Cllr Collett reported a non prejudicial interest as a Member of the Police Authority and the County Treasurer reported a non prejudicial interest as Treasurer to the Police Authority and the Hampshire Pension Fund.

125 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 July 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

On Minute 114 (Minutes) relating to Equal Pay Claims Update, the Director of Human Resources confirmed that the number of claims received was around 1,200. He would provide an updated position to Members at the next meeting.

126 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to the County Council's business or financial affairs which should not be disclosed for the reasons set out in the reports.

127 CORPORATE SERVICES REVIEW (CSR) AND ASSOCIATED INTERIM MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The Committee considered and approved the exempt report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the early outcomes arising from the Corporate Services Review (CSR) relating to senior management posts and consequential interim arrangements. The Committee noted that the CSR was providing an opportunity to rationalise senior management posts and provide succession planning and development opportunities within the respective departments involved.

The Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services clarified the roles and responsibilities within the three key areas for Property Services and confirmed that Regulatory Services were not part of the CSR process.

RESOLVED:

a) That the proposals to revise the organisational structure in Property Services comprising three key areas, eg Asset Management, Programme Management and Design and Delivery be agreed.

b) That the Chief Executive be authorised to make the necessary interim arrangements following the retirement of the Head of Democratic Services.

c) That the Chief Executive be authorised to make the necessary interim arrangements to manage the Legal Practice following the early retirement of the Head of Corporate and Legal Services.

d) That the Chief Executive recommend for approval by the County Council that a Senior Solicitor be appointed as Monitoring Officer for a fixed 12 month period.

e) That following the completion of the Corporate Services Review, a further report on the management arrangements for these functions be presented to the Committee, including the implementation of the Rural Strategy and the response to the shape and role of the Council's economic development function.

128 PENSIONABILITY OF SPECIAL RECOGNITION SCHEME PAYMENTS (SRPs)

The Committee considered the exempt report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 7 in the Minute Book)_on the pensionability of Special Recognition Payments (SRPs). The Committee noted the legal advice received and strengthened the officers' recommendations as to how such payments should be managed.

RESOLVED:

That the approach to special recognition payments set out in the report as amended by the Committee be approved. (SUMMARY OF EXEMPT MINUTE)

129 PAY AWARD FOR SENIOR MANAGERS AND CHIEF OFFICERS 2008 AND 2009

The Committee considered the exempt report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the value of the pay award for staff in Grade H and above (including Chief Officers). The Committee also received an update on the progress with the 2008 pay award. The Committee noted that in relation to the 2008 pay award, which had been referred to arbitration, a response was likely at the end of February. However, it was anticipated that there would be no change to the interim award of 2.45%.

RESOLVED:

That pay awards for Chief Officers and Senior Managers for the year 2009/10 be linked to, and the same percentage increase as, that determined by the JNC for Local Government in respect of all local government employees.