Issue - meetings

To seek Council’s approval for revised HR Policies (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which sought Council’s approval for revised HR Policies.

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate and Communications presented the report.

DECISION:

That the HR polices appended to the report be approved

To seek the Policy Development Panel’s views on the proposed HR Policies (Batches 4 & 5) prior to a report to Council (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which sought the Policy Development Panel’s views on the proposed HR Policies (Batches 4 and 5) prior to a report to Council.

The Group Manager – Organisation Development introduced the report by stating that these were the final batches of HR policies to be considered by the Policy Development Panel. The policies had been drafted by HR (PSPS), subsequently reviewed by an internal readers panel of staff and union representatives, and had been reviewed and supported by the Senior Leadership Team, regional union colleagues and the Portfolio Holder.

The table at point 2.5 of the report contained a brief summary of the key changes to the policies. After consideration by the Policy Development Panel, the policies would progress to Full Council on 18 January 2023.

Whilst the review of HR policies had applied to existing policies, HR were currently investigating whether the adoption of any new policies would be beneficial for the partnership councils.

Members considered the policies and made the following comments:

• Members referred to point 5.7 of the report and asked whether 5.7.3 specifically applied to SHDC.
  • The Group Manager – Organisation Development clarified that point 5.7.3 referred to all three sovereign councils however Boston Borough Council (BBC) and East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) had additional specific agreements which were stipulated at points 5.7.1 and 5.7.2 respectively.

• Members referred to section 4 of the report in respect of ‘Mileage Allowance’ claims and queried whether Government guidelines of five pence per mile for electric vehicles would be incorporated into the policy. The five pence per mile rate was not considered sufficient to cover the running costs.
  • The Group Manager – Organisation Development responded that the policy regarding electric vehicle claims had not been updated and any changes would be subject to consultation. Presently:
    • Boston and East Lindsey allowances were based on the HMRC rate; and
    • SHDC allowances were set by the Green Book rate.
  • Exceptions applied where Car Salary Sacrifice Schemes were used – as outlined at point 2.4 of the report.

• Members referred to section 10.2 and suggested, in order to avoid claims of positive discrimination, that ‘all people’ who had met the minimum criteria would be shortlisted, whether or not a declaration of disability had been made. 
  • The Group Manager – Organisation Development responded that the wording used was industry standard however this would be reviewed in the managers’ guidance to ensure clarity of the policy that one group would not be directly or indirectly discriminated against.

AGREED:

That the comments of the Policy Development Panel regarding the HR Policies (Batches 4 and 5) be noted prior to a report to Council.