Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That Councillor P Hogarth MBE be elected Chairman of the Committee and that Cllr R Grinsell be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the 2022 - 23 civic year.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no questions or deputations.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct records the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th March 2022

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29th March 2022 be approved as a correct record.

To establish an Appointment Panel with authority the Panel to discharge the process of appointment of a Director of Childrens Services.

The Head of Human Resources advised that in accordance with Standing Orders 48 and 49 of the Council’s Constitutional Standing Orders, the Committee was required to establish an Appointment Panel to discharge the process of appointment of a new Director of Childrens Services.

RESOLVED:

i)  That an Appointment Panel be established comprised of Councillors M Allen, I Courts, M Gough, K Grinsell, L McCarthy, M McLoughlin and R Sleigh; and

ii)  The Panel be authorised to discharge the process of appointment of a Director of Childrens Services in accordance with Standing Orders 48 and 49, subject to confirmation of the appointment by Full Council.

The Policy Development & HR Business Manager presented a revised Carers Policy and supporting guidance notes, which had been reviewed in line with Smarter Ways of Working principles.

She explained the main changes to the Policy, which were set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report, and she responded to questions from members.

She confirmed that key stakeholders from Human Resources, Equality & Diversity, the Organisational Wellbeing Lead and the Employee Carer Network Forum had been consulted on the proposed changes, as well as the Trade Unions.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Carers Policy be approved.

The Policy Development & HR Business Manager presented a revised Leave of Absence Policy, which had been reviewed to incorporate the additional flexibility offered to employees through working in a hybrid way.  The revised Policy also included updates that built on the Council’s Employee Wellbeing offer, one of the Council’s key business priorities.

She explained the main changes to the Policy, which were set out in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the report, and she responded to questions from members.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Leave of Absence Policy be approved.

The Committee is invited to consider a nomination for enrolment as Honorary Alderman.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services presented her report and advised that a nomination had been received proposing former Councillor Mr Stuart Davis for enrolment as an Honorary Alderman.

She confirmed that the criteria in the Council’s scheme for appointment of Honorary Aldermen were met.  Members of the Committee were satisfied that the nominee had made a significant contribution to the Council and the people it represents and had an exemplary record as representative of the Council.

RECOMMENDED:

1.  That the nomination relating to Mr Stuart Davis be accepted, and

2. A Special meeting of the Council be convened immediately prior to the scheduled meeting on 11th October 2022 to confer on Mr Davis the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Solihull.