Meeting documents

Employment Committee
Thursday, 23rd February, 2006 3.00 pm

Date:
Thursday, 23rd February, 2006
Time:
3.00 p.m.
Place:
South Annex Training Room, Town Hall, Reigate
 

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor Mrs. D.A. Ross-Tomlin (Chairman); Councillors M.H.C. Buttery†, Mrs. J.S. Bray, and Mrs. R.S. Turner.
Also Present:
Also present: Councillor J.M. Ellacott* (Executive Member for Partnership).

* - Part Meeting † - Substitute Member
Substitutes:
Councillors M.H.C. Buttery†.
Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
19 MINUTES
 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 8th December, 2005 be approved as a correct record and signed.
20 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minute for Minute Number 20
 
21 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 None.
22 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
 None.
23 EXEMPT BUSINESS
 RESOLVED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
Part II(Confidential)
24 HEAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICES: INTERVIEW
Minute for Minute Number 24
 
25 DECISION MAKING PROCESS
Minute for Minute Number 25
RESOLVED that Bryn Panther be offered the post of Head of Customer Services.
26 PROPOSED RESTRUCTURE OF PROPERTY SERVICES TEAM
  • (Attachment: 2)Report of the Head of Legal and Property Services
Minute for Minute Number 26
RESOLVED that:-

(i) approval be given to the exercise of the Council's discretion under the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997 as amended under the Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 to agree to the termination of employment of the holder of Post No. 2140 on the grounds of the efficiency of the service and to award added years pension in accordance with the Council's policy;

(ii) it be noted that there are no exceptional circumstances that should be taken into account in this case when determining whether or not to exercise the normal agreed discretions; and

(iii) 3.56 added years be awarded in respect of compensation for premature retirement.
27 RESTRUCTURE OF FACILITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
  • (Attachment: 3)Report of the Head of Personnel and Support Services
Minute for Minute Number 27
RESOLVED that:-

(i) the employment of the holder of Post No. 2361 be terminated on the grounds of redundancy;

(ii) the Council's discretion under the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997 as amended and the Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 be exercised to award 1.52 added years' pension within the Council's agreed policy;

(iii) the position with regard to salary protection for the holder of Post No. 2351 be noted; and

(iv) the Executive be requested to review the Council's policy relating to such cases.
The meeting closed at 6.35 p.m.

Minute

Min NoMinute
20Apologies for Absence: Councillor Mrs. J.M.A. Spiers Councillor T.D. Stoddart

Substitute Member: Councillor M.H.C. Buttery-
24The Committee interviewed two candidates for the post of Head of Customer Services. As part of the interviews, the Committee received a presentation by the candidates and asked a number of questions arising from their presentations. The Committee then asked a number of set questions of the candidates, and supplementary questions where appropriate.
25Further to Minute 24 (above), the Committee assessed the candidates for the above post and deliberated on the appointment decision. Following discussion of the relative merits of the candidates a vote was taken in accordance with procedure, and it was
26The Employment Committee considered a request for approval of added years to the Pension Fund for the Property Services Manager to enable restructuring of the team for efficiency reasons. The report detailed new challenges of the Council's centralisation strategy, a Management Overview, details in relation to the regulatory framework, consultation undertaken, a timetable for implementation, options open to the Committee, resource implications and associated conclusions. Detailed financial information was also set out as an appendix to the circulated report.
27The Employment Committee considered a report which set out options in relation to a reorganisation of the Facilities and Support function within the Resources Department, including the proposed redundancy of a member of staff. The report set out the background, details of the proposals, the regulatory framework and policy, and the options and resource implications relating to the proposed redundancy. The report also gave background and details relating to the Word Processing Team and the effect of the proposals on the designation and salary of a post holder in that Team.

Members expressed concern at the cost to the Council of the added years' pension, and in particular the cost that would be borne by Charge Payers. In this respect, a Member suggested that similar requests might be received over the next few years as a result of further possible restructurings/redundancies that might take place, and it was felt that the opportunity should be taken to carry out a review of the Council's policy.