Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Room MP702, 7th Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Evelyn Akoto, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4207, E-mail: evelyn.akoto@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: There were no apologies for absence received.
The Chair raised concerns that some members did not receive Committee agendas and requested that this be investigated.
Action: Evelyn Akoto, Committee Services |
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 56 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.
See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest. |
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 70 KB To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Human Resources Committee held on 14 November 2012, and the Extraordinary meetings held on 10 January 2013 26 February 2013 and 27 March 2013. Additional documents:
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Human Resources Committee held on 14 November 2012, and the Extraordinary meetings held on 10 January 2013, 26 February 2013 and 27 March 2013, be agreed as a correct record of the proceedings, and the Chair be authorised to sign them accordingly. |
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REPORTS OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES |
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Quarterly report - New Starters PDF 144 KB Minutes: At the request of the Chair, Simon Kilbey, Service Head HR and Workforce Development, introduced the report on new starters and other recruitment information which had been requested at the previous Committee meeting on 20th June 2013. Simon Kilbey summarised the key points contained in the report, highlighting that the information provided covered the period of January 2013 - March 2013, which was a period of low recruitment activity. As advised by members at a previous meeting, there would be targeted advertising as well as outreach work with Somali groups and other hard to reach groups of the community, with the aim of getting a wider pool of candidates and meeting the Council’s Workforce to Reflect the Community targets.
The HR Committees Terms of References would need to be widened to incorporate a review of the Workforce to Reflect Community data to ensure that the strategy was working and that workforce to reflect the community targets were being met. If so reporting could commence. Out of the 21 candidates that got a place on the graduate scheme, 18 had been placed in full time jobs, I candidate had decided not to remain in the Council, leaving 2 candidates currently at risk. With regard to apprenticeships there is the potential to widen the scheme to offer different types.
Councillor Edgar commented that the council should create a stronger framework for internships and work experience candidates, setting out the level of support and experience that individuals should be receiving. He continued that this will eliminate the risk of ad hoc placements and individuals not benefiting from their appointments.
Councillor Edgar requested comparative information so that emerging trends can be identified.
Councillor Pierce requested that future reports include more information on demography, and also on the roles and departments of candidates.
In response to questions, Simon Kilbey gave the following responses:
RESOLVED
That the Committee note the report. |
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Senior Management Vacancies PDF 375 KB Minutes: At the request of the Chair, Steve Halsey, Head of Paid Service introduced and highlighted key points in the report, that provided an update on appointing to the two vacant Corporate Director posts and also on the vacant Service Head posts in the Council. The Head of Paid Service listed the senior posts that had been successfully recruited to, and updated the Committee on the interim arrangements and progress on appointing to current vacant posts.
A discussion followed which focused on clarification being sought on the role and position of the Director of Public Health post, with particular focus on the potential timetable of recruiting to the vacant posts. In response to questions, Steve Halsey gave the following answers. • A Consultant was covering the posts of Service Head Children’s Social Care, however a more permanent solution was needed. Following an internal process the post of Service Head Culture, Leisure and Learning was being covered by a seconded Service Head. It was unlikely that this position would be deleted and therefore it was imperative that it was filled. • The Secondee retains some responsibilities, but their substantive post was being shared between other Service Heads. The arrangements were working, as service delivery had not been affected. • The process to recruit to the vacant positions could take at least 6 months, so there was the need for interim arrangements. The Head of Paid Service suggested that a temporary arrangement could be put in place when the existing consultant undertaking the role of Service Head Children Social Care leaves. The post of Service Head Children’s Social Care is a statutory role and therefore must be filled. • The appointment to the post of Director of Public Health would be made by the Council and then referred to the Secretary of State for endorsement. It was rare for the Secretary of State to reject such appointments, but it was within his/her power to refer the matter back to the Council for reconsideration if s/he so wished.
With regards to the post of Service Head Culture, Leisure and Learning, Councillor Pierce recommended continuing with the existing post holder until a permanent arrangement was made.
The Head of Paid Service requested the views of the committee with regards to the way forward in recruiting to the vacant posts. He expressed a preference for the Council to begin an internal recruitment process to fill the vacant posts, with the option of undertaking an external recruitment drive if the former process was not successful. The Head of Paid Service stated that the Council had high calibre staff that should be supported to take up such significant vacant posts within the Council.
Councillor Thienel supported this view and continued that it was important for the Council to encourage and aim to advance its staff to take up such substantive roles in the organisation.
Councillor Edgar commented that in his view it was imperative to recruit to these posts quickly and to recruit the best possible candidates. He ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:
“That, under 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 for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.”
EXEMPT SECTION (Pink Papers)
The exempt committee papers in the agenda will contain information, which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting, please hand them to the Committee Officer present. Minutes: A motion to exclude the public and press was passed in the unrestricted party of the proceedings. |
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RESTRICTED MINUTES To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the restricted minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the Human Resources Committee held on 10 January 2013 and 26 February 2013 (to be tabled).
Minutes: Please refer to Part 2 minutes. |
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ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT |