Agenda and minutes

To note the membership of the Committee as appointed by Council at its annual meeting on 15 May 2012, as set out at the front of the agenda.

The Committee noted the membership of the Committee as appointed by Council at its annual meeting on 15 May 2012.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr Jane Scott (who was substituted by Cllr Jonathon Seed) and Cllr John Smale (who was substituted by Cllr Bill Moss).

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2012.     (Copy attached)

Resolved:

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 9 May 2012.

To receive any declarations of non-pecuniary or pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman reported the publication of an article by Barry Pirie in the Municipal Journal on 28 June 2012 entitled Delivering transformation with our staff in which he set out some of the challenges and changes facing Wiltshire Council since its conception in 2009. 

Barry Pirie was congratulated on the publication of this excellent article which would be circulated by email to all Members and Substitute Members of this Committee.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Please contact the officer named on the front of the agenda for any further clarification.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the front of the agenda no later than 5pm on Wednesday 27 June 2012. Please contact the officer named on the front of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

There were no members of the public present or councillors’ questions.

The Committee is asked to:

(i)            agree the size, and

(ii)          appoint the members and substitute members (up to three for each Party Political Group) to each of the following Sub-Committees:

(a)          Senior Officers’ Employment Sub-Committee – previous members being Cllr Mike Hewitt, Cllr Jon Hubbard & Cllr John Noeken.

            (Substitute Members: Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr Bill Moss, Cllr Mark Packard & Cllr John Smale.)

(b)          Appeals Sub-Committee – previous members being Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr John Noeken & Cllr Mark Packard.

            (Substitute Members: Cllr Allison Bucknell, Cllr Mike Hewitt, Cllr John Hubbard & Cllr John Smale.) 

(c)          Grievance Appeals Sub-Committee – previous members being Cllr Allison Bucknell, Cllr Mike Hewitt & Cllr Francis Morland.

             (Substitute Members: Cllr Ernie Clarke, Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr George Jeans, Cllr Bill Moss, Cllr Christopher Newbury  & Cllr Jonathon Seed.)       

Under Paragraph 2.4.1 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution, it is a requirement that at least one member of the Senior Officers’ Employment Sub-Committee should be a member of the Cabinet when it discharges its function to dismiss and take disciplinary action against certain categories of officer in accordance with the officer employment procedure rules.  Accordingly, it is recommended that a second Cabinet member be appointed to this Sub-Committee either as a member or as a substitute member.

Resolved:

To appoint members to serve on the sub-committees of this Committee for the ensuing year as set out below:-

            (a)       Senior Officers Employment Sub-Committee

Cllr Mike Hewitt, Cllr Jon Hubbard & Cllr John Noeken.

            (Substitute Members: Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr David Jenkins, Cllr Bill Moss & Cllr Jane Scott.)

(b)       Appeals Sub-Committee

Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr David Jenkins & Cllr John Noeken.

            (Substitute Members: Cllr Allison Bucknell, Cllr Mike Hewitt, Cllr Jon Hubbard & Cllr John Smale.) 

(c)       Grievance Appeals Sub-Committee

Cllr Allison Bucknell, Cllr Mike Hewitt & Cllr Francis Morland.

                                    (Substitute Members: Cllr Ernie Clark, Cllr Rod Eaton, Cllr George Jeans, Cllr Bill Moss, Cllr Christopher Newbury & Cllr Jonathon Seed.)

A report by the Service Director HR & OD is attached.

Consideration was given to a report by the Service Director HR & OD which presented a newly developed Personal Use of Social Media Policy for review and agreement.

It was explained that full consultation had been carried out regarding this policy in order to ensure that an appropriate and “fit for purpose” policy was developed for Wiltshire. 

The Committee noted that throughout the development process the Communications Team had been fully involved and it was planned to roll out this policy alongside the launch of access to additional websites for all staff.

During discussion Members warmly welcomed the development of this policy and noted that similar guidance was being developed for Members of the Council.

Resolved:

To approve the Personal Use of Social Media Policy.

A report by the Service Director HR & OD is attached.

On considering a report by the Service Director HR & OD,

Resolved:

To note that:-

(a)          a re-launch of the scheme will take place in the autumn to all employees (subject to eligibility criteria) with the aim of increasing take-up rates

(b)          the pensions team will review the Wiltshire Pension fund in 2013 to determine whether a top-up in the shortfall in contributions due to the impact of the green car scheme is required.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 5 September 2012, starting at 10.30am.

Resolved:

To note that the next meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 5 September 2012, starting at 10.30am, to be held in the Orkney Room, 2nd Floor, County Hall East Wing, Trowbridge .

There were no items of urgent business.