Hart Borough Council
Councillors:
33
Wards:
11
Committees:
14
Meetings (2025):
60
Meetings (2024):
60
Meeting
Staffing and Appeals Committee - Hart
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 24th September 2024
7:00 PM
Tuesday, 24th September 2024
7:00 PM
End:
Tuesday, 24th September 2024
11:00 PM
Tuesday, 24th September 2024
11:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
24 Sep 2024
24 Sep 2024
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Officer
Chief Executive
Daryl Phillips
In attendance
Committee Member
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder - Finance
Officer
People & OD Manager
Brijesh Mehta
In attendance
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Community Services
Officer
Committee and Member Services Manager
Sharon Black
Democratic Services
In attendance
Agenda
1
Election of Vice Chair for 2024/25
Minutes
Cllr Farmer was elected as Vice Chair for 2024/25.
Proposed by Cllr Neighbour; seconded by Cllr Crampton; unanimously agreed
Proposed by Cllr Neighbour; seconded by Cllr Crampton; unanimously agreed
2
Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2024, including exempt minutes, are attached to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 16 Sep 2024
- Document Exempt Minutes 24 04 24 16 Sep 2024
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2024, including Exempt Minutes, were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.
Proposed by Cllr Farmer; seconded by Cllr Crampton; unanimously agreed by those Members present at the April meeting
Proposed by Cllr Farmer; seconded by Cllr Crampton; unanimously agreed by those Members present at the April meeting
3
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.
Minutes
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Radley. Cllr Bailey had advised that he would be arriving late.
4
Declarations of Interest
To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other interests*.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
5
Chair's Announcements
Minutes
The Chair had no announcements.
6
Update on Senior Management Structure Review
This report confirms the resolution of the final outstanding issues regarding the senior management review the committee considered in November 2023.
Attachments:
- Document Update on Senior Management Structure Review 16 Sep 2024
Minutes
(Cllr Thomas arrived at 7.05pm and Cllr Bailey arrived at 7.08pm during this item)
Members noted that this update followed on from an update given to the last meeting, and dealt with the final issues arising from the structural changes made in the latter part of 2022.
Members noted:
That whilst the report referred to four outstanding post holder issues, there were only 3, all of which had now been dealt with. Those post holders now had updated job descriptions and were all content The Chief Executive had met individually with the three post holders who had outstanding issues to ensure that they were happy with their situations That there had been no further job evaluations nor changes in salaries or terms and conditions There had been a realignment of some posts in the organisation recently to ensure that all members of staff were in the right department and with the right line management
It was questioned whether this was now the end of the changes required under the review and that all the issues highlighted had been dealt with. The Chief Executive explained that a further issue had been raised and that he would provide members of the Committee with a briefing note on this rather than wait until the next meeting of the Committee in February 2025.
The update report was noted.
Members noted that this update followed on from an update given to the last meeting, and dealt with the final issues arising from the structural changes made in the latter part of 2022.
Members noted:
That whilst the report referred to four outstanding post holder issues, there were only 3, all of which had now been dealt with. Those post holders now had updated job descriptions and were all content The Chief Executive had met individually with the three post holders who had outstanding issues to ensure that they were happy with their situations That there had been no further job evaluations nor changes in salaries or terms and conditions There had been a realignment of some posts in the organisation recently to ensure that all members of staff were in the right department and with the right line management
It was questioned whether this was now the end of the changes required under the review and that all the issues highlighted had been dealt with. The Chief Executive explained that a further issue had been raised and that he would provide members of the Committee with a briefing note on this rather than wait until the next meeting of the Committee in February 2025.
The update report was noted.
7
Proposals to Give Greater Clarity and to Strengthen the Staff Grievance Policy
This report seeks authority for the Head of Paid Service to consult with the Chairman of the Committee, to make light-touch adjustments to the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what amounts to a grievance and strengthen the process associated with submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.
Recommendation
The Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, is authorised to adjust the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what constitutes a grievance and strengthen the process of submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.
Recommendation
The Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, is authorised to adjust the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what constitutes a grievance and strengthen the process of submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.
Attachments:
- Document Proposals to give greater clarity and to strengthen the Staff Grievance Policy 16 Sep 2024
- Document Appendix 1 Proposals to give greater clarity and to strengthen the Staff Grievance Policy 16 Sep 2024
Minutes
This report sought authority for the Head of Paid Service to consult with the Chairman of the Committee to make light-touch adjustments to the Staff Grievance Policy to clarify what amounted to a grievance and to strengthen the process associated with submitting evidence and attending grievance hearings.
Members of the Committee agreed that the Policy required refreshing and updating, and authorised the Head of Paid Service and Chair of the Staffing Committee to work together to circulate a draft version for comment and/or agreement.
Unanimously agreed.
Decision
The Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chair of Staffing Committee, be authorised to draft and then adopt a revised staff grievance policy subject first to
The draft policy being circulated to all members of the Staffing Committee for consultation; and All members of the Staffing Committee confirming in writing their agreement to the final draft policy.
If however, members of the Staffing Committee do not unanimously support in writing the draft Grievance Policy, it will not proceed to adoption but will be referred to a future full meeting of the Staffing Committee for further consideration.
Members of the Committee agreed that the Policy required refreshing and updating, and authorised the Head of Paid Service and Chair of the Staffing Committee to work together to circulate a draft version for comment and/or agreement.
Unanimously agreed.
Decision
The Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chair of Staffing Committee, be authorised to draft and then adopt a revised staff grievance policy subject first to
The draft policy being circulated to all members of the Staffing Committee for consultation; and All members of the Staffing Committee confirming in writing their agreement to the final draft policy.
If however, members of the Staffing Committee do not unanimously support in writing the draft Grievance Policy, it will not proceed to adoption but will be referred to a future full meeting of the Staffing Committee for further consideration.
Previous Meetings
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