Agenda and minutes

Members discussed the circulated report and queried the 2015/16 savings target for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning following the Welsh Governments draft settlement to Local Authorities, and noted that the Directorate still had to meet a savings target of over £4 million.

Members discussed the inclusion of the Flying Start Programme within the Job Description of the proposed Head of Participation, and noted that Flying Start was a key part of the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning (ELLL) Directorate as it provided early intervention in areas of deprivation. The role of the Head of Participation (if approved) would include promoting greater participation within the Flying Start scheme.

Members noted that safeguarding would be an important area for the Head of Participation and this would be emphasised within the advertisement for the position. Members felt that there was a huge amount of pressure on the Directorate with only two Heads of Service under the Director, but understood that it was due to the severe cuts passed down from Central Government, and not through the choice of the Local Authority.

Members hoped that trails in the Afan Valley would be enhanced as part of the work of the team.

 RESOLVED:       that the report be noted.

Members noted that should the recommendations of the report be approved, 8 current policies would be merged and brought together into one overall ‘Flexible Working’ Policy and Procedure. Members discussed the Flexi Time Policy and the Flexible Retirement Policy, and noted that these policies would remain independent of the proposed new Policy. Members felt the Guidance for Managers Section of the Policy was very useful.

 RESOLVED:      that the Flexible Working Policy and Procedure, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report, be approved.

RESOLVED:        that the report be noted.

Members noted that additional information on the National Pay Negotiations would be brought to a future meeting of the Personnel Committee following further national negotiations.

RESOLVED:        that the report be noted.

Members noted a typing error on the first page of the report which should have read:-

…’for the period 1/10/2013 to 30/09/2014.’

Members were pleased to note the downward trend in employing Agency Workers, which was reducing year on year. Members queried the Head of Legal Services and the Head of Finance usage of agency workers, and noted that these agency posts would have been filled by Childcare Legal Staff and Relief Cashiers, respectively.

RESOLVED:        that the report be noted.

Members discussed the private circulated report, and were pleased to note that the equal pay settlements would also apply to past employees of the Authority who had been transferred to such organisations as Grwp Gwalia or NPT Homes, and were covered under the TUPE scheme. Members felt the Authority had handled the equal pay negotiations in an exemplary fashion.

Members noted that over 700 expressions of interest in the scheme had been received. Members welcomed a further report to be brought to the Personnel Committee, summarising all the decisions and actions taken in relation to the scheme.