Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Human Resources Committee for the municipal year 2024/25. Councillor Abu Chowdhury proposed Councillor Kabir Ahmed for the position. This was seconded by Councillor Shafi Ahmed.

There were no further nominations received.

The Human Resources Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Elect Councillor Kabir Ahmed the Vice-Chair of the Human Resources Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

To agree the unrestricted minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 07 March 2024.

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 7 March 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record of proceedings.

Matthew Mannion, Head of Democratic Services, requested Members note the Human Resources Committee’s terms of reference, membership, quorum and meeting dates for the municipal year 2024/25. The scheduled date of 05 May 2025 will be changed to 06 May 2025 due to the Bank Holiday.

The AGM was held on 15 May 2024 where the Human Resources Committee membership was agreed and the details were tabled for the Committee to note.

The Human Resources Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Note it’s terms of reference, quorum, membership and meeting dates as set out in appendices 1,2 and 3 of the report.

2.    Agreed to hold all Human Resources Committee meetings at 6.30pm in the Committee Room 1 for the municipal year 2024/25 and to amend the date of the meeting on 05 May to 06 May 2024..

TO FOLLOW

Matthew Mannion, Head of Democratic Services, requested Committee Members establish the Appeals Sub-Committees for municipal year 2024/25.

The Human Resources Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Agree the terms of reference for Appeals Sub-Committees for the remainder of the municipal year 2024/25 as set out at paragraph 4.1 of this report;

2.    Agree that the arrangements for nominating Councillors to serve on an Appointments Sub-Committee be as set out at paragraph 4.2 of this report and the Director, Workforce, OD & Business Support (or their respective nominee) be authorised to agree the dates of Appointments Sub-Committee meetings and the membership of the Sub-Committee for each appointment that is required in accordance with nominations from the opposition group leader and the Mayor; and

3.    Note the process for appointment to Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer Page 19 Agenda Item 2.2 posts as set out at section 5 below.

TO FOLLOW

Mr Mannion's final report requested Committee Members establish the Appointment Sub-Committees for municipal term 2024/25. He also set out a number of options for potentially amendment the Sub-Committee’s procedures.

Members discussed the proposal for amending paragraph 4.2 of the report in regard to Membership,  and 56.3 regarding Advertisement and 5.8 on the attendance in exceptional circumstances rule. Upon a proposal by Councillor Shafi Ahmed, which was seconded by Councillor Abu Chowdhury agreed that the wording for paragraph 5.8 will be amended to state the ability to substitute a councillor halfway through the process will be removed:

‘In such exceptional circumstances where a Member is not able to attend either the Shortlisting  and/or Longlisting meeting the Director, Workforce, OD & Business Support may waive the requirement at 5.7 and allow that Member to attend the meeting virtually or to submit written comments for consideration by the Sub-Committee. All Members must attend the Interview stage in person. above in order to ensure a sufficiently diverse membership of the Sub-Committee, provided that consistency is maintained within each distinct stage of the appointment process (but see paragraph below)’

The Committee unanimously voted for political groups to only select who they wish to represent at the panel from within their group. (Paragraph 4.2) and clarification on who was responsible for advertising positions (Paragraph 5.3). Members also requested lead times on interviews once advertisements are placed to ensure all panel representatives are available to attend.

The Human Resources Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Agree the terms of reference for Appointments Sub-Committees for the remainder of the municipal year 2024/25 as set out at paragraph 4.1 of this report;

2.    Agree that the arrangements for nominating Councillors to serve on an Appointments Sub-Committee be as set out at paragraph 4.2 of this report as amended by paragraph 6.2 of the report and the Director, Workforce, OD & Business Support (or their respective nominee) be authorised to agree the dates of Appointments Sub-Committee meetings and the membership of the Sub-Committee for each appointment that is required in accordance with nominations from the opposition group leader and the Mayor; and

3.    To agree the changes set out above to paragraph 5.8 of the procedures.

Reasons for urgency on the late report were agreed by the committee.

Pat Chen, Interim Director, Workforce, OD and Business Support Services, introduced the report which provided the current senior recruitment positions to senior management vacancies and the interim arrangements in place.

Steve Halsey, Chief Executive Officer,  informed the Committee of a delay with interview dates for the permanent post of Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration. The long listing will now take place before the May end, with the shortlisting and final panel being in July. Members were informed that since the drafting of the report, recruitment checks have been completed and Steve Reddy is now confirmed as permanent Corporate Director for Children's Services.

Further to questions from the Committee, Pat Chen andSteve Halsey;

·       Confirmed that an extension has been requested for the Director of Strategy and Improvement Transformation, as the post and structure are being reviewed.

·       Confirmed that an extension has been requested for the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, as, final interviews will be progressed in June 2024.

·       Explained that due to ongoing confidentiality, the name of the new Director of Adult and Social Care cannot be disclosed. Members will be informed shortly.

·       Noted that the post for the Director of Public Realm will be re-advertised shortly.

The Human Resources Committee RESOLVED that;

1.    The approval request to  extend interim arrangements for Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration was AGREED.

2.    The approval request to  extend interim arrangements for Director of Strategy Improvement and Transformation was AGREED.

3.    The report on the current position on the recruitment to senior management vacancies be noted.

TO FOLLOW

Julie Lorraine, Corporate Director, Resources, provided the Committee an overview of the employee relations casework for Quarter 4 (January – March

2024) and for the annual period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Pat Chen then informed members that the details include the protected characteristics of the deciding managers and individual staff disciplinary or grievance cases.

The Human Resources Committee RESOLVED that;

1.    The report on the current position on the Employee Relations Casework and policy quarterly review be noted.

The order of business on the agenda was changed at the meeting due to exempt items on this item. This discussion occurred after item 5.

Reasons for urgency on the late report were agreed by the committee.

Steve Halsey, Chief Executive Officer, provided an overview on the next phase of the corporate restructure. This included enhancing the HR, procurement, IT and scrutiny functions, the introduction of a more collaborative and performance-driven culture, the People First transformation journey and a more resident-focused council.

Members were informed that Mr Halsey will attend the first Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) of the municipal year on 21 May 2024 to discuss key areas of improvement to the function and provide recommendations. It was emphasised that the OSC decides its scrutiny work program and if recommendations are implemented.

The report set out a number of areas that need addressing, for example, the Strategy Improvement and transformation team, the Housing and Regeneration Directorate, and Resources Directorate all require restructure. The Mayor's Executive Office structure was also no longer suitable. Recommendations also include establishing assistant director roles on a pilot basis, to ensure accountability for a wider range of services. Mr Halsey stated that a chief executive department with 13 direct reports is also no longer practical.

Mr Halsey then stated his view that Executive Assistant support for Corporate Directors requires a change in line management arrangements, which were being progressed. Finally he reported on the voluntary redundancy and early retirement (ER/VR) scheme had approved 58 staff to exit the Council.

Paul Patterson, Corporate Director, Housing & Regeneration, presented an overview of the next phase which will impact the directorate, particularly with the housing supply and property and major programs. The new structure will create an Assistant Director of Housing Management, merging the current Director of Neighbourhoods and Director of Housing Asset Management roles.

Proposals will also move the current housing management function to a new Assistant Director of Regeneration and Housing Supply and Assets, which will enhance the integration of Tower Hamlet Homes (THH). This will ensure the service is more customer focused. There will also be a new Assistant Director for Housing Options and Homelessness and one for Housing Policy and Strategy.

Julie Lorraine, Corporate Director, Resources noted that on 16 May, the Cabinet approved recommendations to enhance the resources for the housing options service. This budget was agreed in principle. Ms Lorraine emphasised that significant expenditure has gone into the homelessness service but was primarily used for temporary accommodation costs. A new position of Housing Options and Homelessness was required; thus a new Assistant Director is proposed in the report. The main objective is to improve the service including longer operating hours to meet resident needs.

Further to questions from the Committee, Steve Halsey, Paul Patterson;

·       Confirmed that the responsibility for restructuring within the Mayor's Office and the Housing Options and Homelessness service had been transferred to the Deputy Chief Executive, Julie Lorraine on a temporary basis.

·       Explained that a report will be submitted to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.6

RESOLVED

1.    That in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the remaining agenda item contained information defined as exempt or confidential in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The order of business on the agenda was changed at the meeting, due to exempt items included in the CEO Council transformation paper. This discussion occurred before item 4.6.

The draft work program for the remaining meetings for the 2024/25 municipal year was officially agreed. Steve Halsey requested that he as CEO inform the HR committee twice a year of the overall structure of the Council. Additionally proposed that a Corporate Director attend each meeting to discuss any issues around their Directorate structure, and that all Corporate Directors make themselves available to attend when requested. The Committee agreed.

It was RESOLVED that;

1.    The Chief Executive to attend the Human Resources Committee twice yearly to discuss the Council structure.

2.    A Corporate Director attend each Human Resource Committee meeting to discuss their Directorate structure.

3.    All Corporate Directors be available to attend Human Resources Committee meetings when requested.

4.    The Human Resources Committee work programme be AMENDED and AGREED.

Nil items.