| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| GP 12/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| GP 12/002 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 5 September 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL | ||
| GP 12/003 |
Localism Act - Pay Policy |
The report of the Central Services Director gave details of the provisions of Section 38 (1) of the Localism Act 2011 regarding the requirement for a pay policy statement to be produced for 2012/13 and each financial year thereafter. Consideration was given to a draft Pay Policy Statement for 2012/13 and the report explained the definition of "chief officer" and "deputy chief officer". It was noted that in order to provide a holistic and transparent context for the remuneration of chief officers and their deputies, the draft Pay Policy provided an overview of the pay elements for all Council employees. The Committee was advised of emerging Government guidance on the approach to setting the ratio between the remuneration of the lowest and most highly paid employees. An amended version of the Pay Policy Statement was circulated at the meeting covering the pay multiple against both the median and the mean full-time equivalent salary for all employees. Authority was accordingly sought to amend the final version of the policy when definitive guidance was available. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the Pay Policy Statement set out in Annex 1 to the report (as amended) be adopted by the Council; and (2) authority be delegated to the Central Services Director to amend the final version of the policy in the light of Government guidance on use of the mean or median full-time equivalent salary. *Referred to Council |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| GP 12/004 |
Reorganisation, Redundancy and Redeployment Procedure |
The Central Services Director reported on the need to expand the existing Employment Stability Policy into a comprehensive Reorganisation, Redundancy and Redeployment Procedure in the light of the financial challenges facing local government. It was noted that the draft Procedure annexed to the report encapsulated current legislation and had been considered and approved by the Council's Joint Employee Consultative Committee (Operational Working Group) on 1 December 2011. RESOLVED: That the Reorganisation, Redundancy and Redeployment Procedure set out in Annex 2 to the report be adopted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| GP 12/005 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
The Chairman moved, it was seconded and RESOLVED: That as public discussion would disclose exempt information, the following matters be considered in private. |
| PART 2 - PRIVATE | ||
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| GP 12/006 |
Minutes of Electoral Review Working Group of 25 January 2012 (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) |
Consideration was given to the recommendations in respect of warding arrangements made by the Electoral Review Working Group at its meeting on 25 January 2012. A summary was provided of the proposed extent and name of each ward as agreed by the Working Group together with supplementary information provided by local Members after that meeting. RESOLVED: That the recommendations of the Electoral Review Working Group, as updated at the meeting in respect of the proposed ward name of Aylesford & North Downs and clarification of the unaltered boundary between Castle and Judd wards, be adopted and form the final submission to be made to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to meet their deadlines. |
| GP 12/007 |
Corporate Establishment Review - Budget Savings (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 1 - Information relating to an individual) |
The report of the Management Team gave details of the results of a corporate establishment review undertaken as part of the budget savings regime. It was noted that the deletion of posts, adjustments in working patterns, reorganisations and restructurings referred to in the report were all compliant with the Council's existing Flexible Working Policy and the Reorganisation, Redundancy and Redeployment Procedure referred to at Minute GP 12/004. In addition the net savings identified within the report as well as those resulting from the subsequent reviews in respect of Leisure and Transportation had already been absorbed into the Revenue Estimates for 2012/13. RESOLVED: That (1) the seven vacant posts identified in paragraph 1.2 of the report be deleted; (2) the hours of the four posts identified in paragraph 1.3 of the report be reduced as indicated; (3) the adjustments to the establishment set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report be endorsed; and (4) the adjustments to the establishment set out in paragraph 1.5.7 of the report be endorsed. |
| GP 12/008 |
Leisure Services - Proposed Staff Changes (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 1 - Information relating to an individual) |
The joint report of the Chief Leisure Officer and the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure set out proposals to adjust the staffing structure within Leisure Services in the light of forthcoming and recent retirements and reduction in hours of another post. The Committee was advised that the aim of the restructure was to maintain levels of service delivery as cost effectively as possible, to reflect current operational requirements of the service over the next few years and develop key staff for the future. RESOLVED: That the proposals set out in the report, as summarised at Annex 6 thereto, be approved. |
| GP 12/009 |
Transportation Division - Restructuring (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 1 - Information relating to an individual) |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure advised that the imminent retirement of a senior member of staff in the Transportation Division together with other recent changes had presented an opportunity to review the work and resources of the team in the context of the likely future service needs and the Council's current and future financial position. It was noted that the proposals incorporated opportunities for succession planning within the team. In agreeing the proposals, Members recorded their appreciation of the significant contribution of the Chief Engineer on behalf of the Council over many years. RESOLVED: That the proposed establishment set out at Annex 3 to the report be approved and implemented using the internal appointment processes detailed in the report. |
| GP 12/010 |
IT Services - Shared Management Arrangements (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 1 - Information relating to an individual) |
The joint report of the Chief Executive and Central Services Director explained the personnel issues and financial implications arising from the proposal to implement a shared management arrangement for IT Services with Gravesham Borough Council. It was noted that the background and proposed way forward from a service viewpoint had been considered by the Innovation and Improvement Advisory Board on 14 December 2011. In agreeing the proposals, the Committee paid tribute to the important contribution of the Information Technology Manager during his years of service to the Council. RESOLVED: That, subject to the satisfactory agreement being finalised by the Chief Solicitor: (1) the contract of the Information Technology Manager be terminated on 31 March 2012 on the grounds of redundancy; in accordance with the Local Government Pension Regulations, he should commence receipt of his pension from 1 April 2012 with redundancy pay calculated as set out in the Reorganisation, Redundancy and Redeployment Procedure; and (2) the post of Information Technology Manager be deleted from the establishment on 31 March 2012 and on 1 April 2012 the Council commence a shared IT Service management arrangement with Gravesham Borough Council. |