Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee received information on the introduction of a Carer’s Policy as detailed in the circulated report.  The Policy was to support employees with caring responsibilities.

Confirmation was received that only 1 request for a working adjustment would be considered per year but in extreme circumstances, decisions could be appealed.  The appeal process was flexible and mitigating circumstances would be considered on an individual basis.

Members received information on the apprentice and work experience programmes within Neath Port Talbot Council as detailed in the circulated report.

Information was received in regard to the Registration of Domiciliary Care Workers, as detailed in the circulated report.

Previously, it had been stated, that the authority would not reimburse any further registration fees, but, after representation from trade unions highlighting that the Domiciliary Care workforce was predominantly part-time female employees, it was agreed with trade unions, that 50% of the registration fee would be covered by the authority.   It was reiterated that this was a ‘one-off’ payment and would not apply to any further registrations that take place after the 1 April 2020.

The Committee received information on the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans of the Armed Forces, as detailed in the circulated report.

Confirmation was received that the proposal would only apply to vacancies being advertised externally. 

Members received the opening/closing arrangements for the main Civic Offices during the Christmas and New Year holiday period 2020/2021, as detailed in the circulated report.

Members received information on the 2019/20 Quarter 3 Workforce Information Report as detailed in appendix 1 to the circulated report.

Members were pleased that the authority had remained 7^th in the 2018-2019 Sickness Absence Performance Comparison – All Wales data.  Discussion took place on the variety of approaches taken by Councils across Wales which impacted on the data and as a result whether the data was a reliable tool to use as a comparison.  Members asked that work be undertaken to look at the different approaches of the top two authorities and that the outcomes of that work be brought to a future meeting of this committee.

Further discussion took place on the process for referrals to Occupational Health and whether there was merit in looking at an alternative to sickness leave for example special leave, disability leave.  Outcomes to would be brought to a future meeting of this committee.

It was explained that Human Resources ensure there was consistency in the approach taken in regard to sickness but management styles differed when implementing the policy.

Information was received on the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/2021 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the circulated report.

The committee received details of the officer urgency action number 0319 regarding the Increase in Standby Rate as detailed in the circulated report.

That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 and 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the above Act.

The committee received information in relation to the national pay negotiations as detailed in the private circulated report.

The report was withdrawn from consideration at today’s meeting.