Havant Borough Council
Councillors:
36
Wards:
17
Committees:
35
Meetings (2025):
89
Meetings (2024):
96
Meeting
Human Resources Committee - Havant
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 10th July 2024
5:30 PM
Wednesday, 10th July 2024
5:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 10th July 2024
9:30 PM
Wednesday, 10th July 2024
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
10 Jul 2024
10 Jul 2024
Location:
Hurstwood Room, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX
Hurstwood Room, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX
Meeting Attendees
Vice-Chairman
Cabinet Lead for Climate Emergency, Environment & Water Quality (Climate Change Champion)
Standing Deputy
Councillor Elizabeth Lloyd (formerly known as Dianne)
Independent for Stakes
Not required
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Cabinet Lead
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Finance, Leader of Liberal Democratic Party
Committee Member
Cabinet Lead for Community Assets
Secretary
Democratic & Electoral Services Manager
Jenni Harding
Expected
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Lauren Maidens
Expected
Council Staff
Personal Assistant
Jane McEvoy
Not required
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Emma Carlyle
Expected
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Mark Gregory
Expected
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Ernest Lam
Expected
Committee Member
Leader of the Council - Cabinet Lead for Corporate Strategy. Performance, and External Relations, Chairman of Human Resources Committee
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive and record any apologies for absence.
Minutes
There were no apologies for absence received for this meeting.
2
Minutes
To approve the minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 20th February 2024.
Attachments:
- Document HR Committee Draft Minutes 20-2 02 Jul 2024
Minutes
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Human Resources Committee held on 20th February 2024 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3
Declarations of Interests
To receive any declarations of interests from Members present.
Minutes
There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.
4
Local Government Pension Scheme Discretions Policy
Attachments:
Minutes
Councillor Phillipa Gray, as Cabinet Lead, introduced the item to the committee.
Members asked for clarification on the Rule of 85. The committee was advised if a member of staffs age and continuous service reach 85 then they are not subject to penalties if they were to access pension before the national pensionable age.
Officers advised there is not yet specific guidance in place however ‘special discretions’ can be made in cases where perhaps certain cases fall outside the norm.
i.e. if a personal choice to retire is made. However, if outside factors such as illness or personal circumstance were to come into play then the head of paid service may use discretionary powers to allow penalty free access to pension.
The committee asked if they would have input in these decisions. Officers advised that the policy being proposed places the powers solely with the head of paid service.
The Chief HR Officer advised the committee that the Executive Leadership Team will look at the potential wider organisational impact.
The Chief HR Officer will bring back an update from the Executive Leadership Team on this matter to committee.
Proposed by Councillor Milne and Seconded by Councillor Munday that the committee APPROVE the Local Government Pension Scheme Discretions Policy.
Members asked for clarification on the Rule of 85. The committee was advised if a member of staffs age and continuous service reach 85 then they are not subject to penalties if they were to access pension before the national pensionable age.
Officers advised there is not yet specific guidance in place however ‘special discretions’ can be made in cases where perhaps certain cases fall outside the norm.
i.e. if a personal choice to retire is made. However, if outside factors such as illness or personal circumstance were to come into play then the head of paid service may use discretionary powers to allow penalty free access to pension.
The committee asked if they would have input in these decisions. Officers advised that the policy being proposed places the powers solely with the head of paid service.
The Chief HR Officer advised the committee that the Executive Leadership Team will look at the potential wider organisational impact.
The Chief HR Officer will bring back an update from the Executive Leadership Team on this matter to committee.
Proposed by Councillor Milne and Seconded by Councillor Munday that the committee APPROVE the Local Government Pension Scheme Discretions Policy.
5
Youth Hub Referral Scheme - Verbal Update
Minutes
The Chief HR Officer gave the HR committee and update on the Youth Hub Referral Scheme.
Members commented the positive impact this will have for the borough’s youth and the opportunities available to them.
Members commented the positive impact this will have for the borough’s youth and the opportunities available to them.
6
Human Resources Work Plan - Verbal Update
Minutes
The Chief HR Officer introduced the item to the Committee, providing an overview of what may come before the committee in the future.
Members asked the percentage of staff completed the survey and if the results were positive. It was advised approximately 82% of staff responded with the results and feedback from the survey were positive but there is always work to do to make improvements.
The committee questioned if there is a bullying and harassment policy, it was advised that there is one in place. However, it is worth noting it has not had to be used.
The committee asked the Chief Human Resources Officer to consider creating a group with membership from similar sized organisations to share ideas and models around approaches and policies.
It was said that there is not currently anything like this available in our area. However, the Chief Human Resources Officer will take this offline and explore it further as an option.
Members asked the percentage of staff completed the survey and if the results were positive. It was advised approximately 82% of staff responded with the results and feedback from the survey were positive but there is always work to do to make improvements.
The committee questioned if there is a bullying and harassment policy, it was advised that there is one in place. However, it is worth noting it has not had to be used.
The committee asked the Chief Human Resources Officer to consider creating a group with membership from similar sized organisations to share ideas and models around approaches and policies.
It was said that there is not currently anything like this available in our area. However, the Chief Human Resources Officer will take this offline and explore it further as an option.
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