Agenda and minutes

An officer report setting out the response received from the unions to the proposed HR Policy framework was presented to the Forum. 

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to the Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Business Support)

That the adoption of the revised HR Policy framework as proposed by management be agreed, subject to:

(i)                 a formal review and evaluation of the framework after one year, following which confirmation would be required from the ECF for the framework to continue;

(ii)               the incorporation into the framework of a procedure whereby any second?stage grievance would be reported to the Portfolio Holder.

[Reason for Recommendation:  To allow for capability, conduct, grievance and harassment cases to be heard more speedily and, in relation to final?stage grievance hearings, to bring Harrow into line with practice in most London Boroughs].

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Reserve Members in attendance at this meeting.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note the following declaration of interest made by a Member present relating to the business to be transacted at this meeting:

Councillor Bob Currie declared a personal interest in that he was a retired member of UNISON and his son was a Council employee.   Accordingly, he would remain in the room and take part in the discussion and decision?making on all items of the agenda.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2007 be deferred until the next Ordinary meeting of the Forum.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2007 be deferred until the next Ordinary meeting of the Forum.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Report of the Corporate HR Director.

(See Recommendation 1).

Report from UNISON.

An officer report on the removal of asbestos-containing materials during construction of the Access Harrow contact centre was presented to the Forum.  After discussion it was

RESOLVED:  That (1) union representatives put any questions in writing to the management team, who would then produce a response;

(2)  union representatives be allowed access to relevant contractors to gain information about the removal of asbestos;

(3)  a meeting be held between union representatives and Members, to include the relevant Portfolio Holder.

Report from UNISON.

A report of UNISON, expressing concern at an increase in procedural complaints against employees by members of the public, was presented to the Forum.  The report proposed that a customer complaints procedure be drawn up in relation to members of the public contacting officers and Members.  A Member informed the Forum that work had already started on such a procedure in the context of preparing to deal with community calls for action.  Once completed, the procedure would be brought to a meeting of the Forum for discussion.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.