Agenda and minutes

The following Members made declarations of interest at the commencement of the meeting:

Councillor C. Clement-Williams      Reports of the Director of Social Services, Health and Housing – family member employed at Hillside Secure Children’s Home.

Members received an overview of Equalities Employment for the year 2016/17, prior to its publication as detailed in the circulated report.

Members questioned if we are capturing employees information correctly, as some employees may not know the meaning of having a disability.  Officers highlighted that a new Employee Portal is now available on-line to all employees of Neath Port Talbot, whereby employees now have the opportunity to update their own details if needed.

Officers also highlighted that since August 2016 Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council became a Disability Confident Employer, the scheme is designed to help recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions.

RESOLVED:      that the Equalities Employment information for 2016/2017, as detailed in the circulated report be approved.

Members received details of HR support provided to schools facing financial difficulties as a result of budget pressures, and support provided to schools affected by the Strategic School Improvement Programme (SSIP).

Members recommended that an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) be included with all reports.

RESOLVED:      that the report be noted.

Members were asked to approve the introduction of a Gender Reassignment Policy for immediate implementation, as detailed in the circulated report.

Officers highlighted that Trade Unions have agreed this Policy, and as this Policy is new it will be reviewed on a regular basis or as a result of change in legislation.

It was noted that the circulated Gender Reassignment Policy does not require an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA).

RESOLVED:      that the Gender Reassignment Policy, as detailed within the circulated report be approved.

Members were given an overview of the Council’s recent accreditation to become a Disability Confident Employer.  Officers highlighted that this was a positive step for the Council.

RESOLVED:      that the report be noted.

Members were asked to approve the deletion of the vacant post of Administration Office, and approve the creation of a permanent position of Clerical Officer within the Health and Safety structure.

RESOLVED:      that the deletion of the vacant post of Administration Office, and creation of a permanent position of Clerical Officer within the Health and Safety structure, as detailed in the circulated report, be approved.

Members were asked to approve that the post of Director of Social Services, Health and Housing is advertised for appointment on an external and national basis.

RESOLVED:      that the post of Director of Social Services, Health and Housing is advertised for appointment on an external and national basis, be approved.

Members received an overview of the changes to the Democratic Services functions, and were asked to approve the changes to the establishment of the Corporate Strategy and Democratic Services Department.

RESOLVED:      that the changes within the Corporate Strategy and Democratic Services, in relation to the following sections, be approved:

·          Corporate Strategy

·          Communication and Digital Services

·          Customer Services

·          Regional Substance Misuse Team

·          Community Safety

                            that changes to the democratic service functions, approved by the Democratic Service Committee, as detailed in the circulated report, be approved.

Members were asked to approve three foundation Apprenticeship opportunities within Building Services to the posts of Carpenter, Electrician and Business Support Assistant.

RESOLVED:      that the three foundation Apprenticeships within                        Building Services, be approved.

Members were asked to approve the establishment of a Clinical Psychologist and two Assistant Psychologist posts within Hillside Secure Children’s Home.

RESOLVED:      that the posts of Clinical Psychologist and two Assistant Psychologist posts, be approved.

Members were asked to approve the changes of Flying Start Parenting Team job titles in order to more accurately describe employee’s roles, as outlined in the circulated report. 

Members were also asked to agree the creation of a temporary post, Flying Start Childcare Lead, utilising the Flying Start Grant, initially unit 31 March 2018, with approval to extend in line with continued Flying Start funding from Welsh Government.

It was noted that no Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was required.

RESOLVED:      that the Flying Start Parenting Team job title changes, be approved, as follows:

Current Job Title                                       New Job

Parenting Manager                         Parenting Lead

Senior Parenting Support Asst      Senior Parenting                                                          Worker

Parenting Support Assistant          Parenting Worker

Parenting Support Assistant                    Dad’ s Worker

(Dad’s Worker)

that the creation of a temporary post of Flying Start Childcare Lead, utilising the Flying Start Grant initially unit 31 March 2018, be extend in line with Flying Start funding from Welsh Government, be approved.

Members received an overview of the circulated report and were asked to approve a small restructure within the Locality Team of Western Bay Youth Justice and Early Intervention team, including deletion of Business Support Officers post (Grade 3) currently occupied by employee at risk of redundancy and to offer the employee vacant post of Business Support Manager post (Grade 5), which employee has been covering on a temporary basis.

RESOLVED:      that the Business Support Officer post (grade 3) within the Locality Team of Western Bay Youth Justice and Early Intervention team be deleted and that the employee who is at risk as a result of the deletion be offered suitable alternative employment into the vacant Business Support Manager post (Grade 5), which this employee has been covering on a temporary basis, be approved.

Members were asked to approve the implementation of the proposed staffing structure for the Employability Grant within the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Leaning Directorate, as detailed within the circulated report.

RESOLVED:      that approval be granted for the changes to the staffing structure within the Employability Grant, as detailed below:-

                            Posts deleted from the Communities First                structure:

·           4   x Cluster Managers Grade 9-10 (37 hrs);

·          13  x Project Managers Grade 7-8 (37 hrs);

·          13  x Development Workers Grade 6-7 (37 hrs);

·           4   x Administration & Finance Officers Grade 4-5 (varied hours).

                        Creation of the following posts:

·          Employability Manager Grade 9 (37 hours);

·          2 x Employability Senior Mentor Grade 7

·          (37 hours);

·          Employer Engagement Officer Grade 6

·          (37 hours);

·          6/8 x Employment Mentors Grade 6

·          (37 hours);

·          4 x Participation Engagement Workers Grade 6 (37 hours).

·          That the structure will also contain a Senior Finance and Monitoring Officer which has been revised from the current structure which is a Grade 6 (37 hours) post.

·          That 1 Administration and Finance Officer from the current structure has had the Job Description amended and the post title changed to Business Support Officer Grade 5 (37hours).

Members were updated on the national pay negotiations for Local Government Services (LGS) Green Book employees, as detailed in the circulated report.

RESOLVED:      that the report be noted.