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Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 9 – Chief Executive

The officer said that the report was around the appointment of a Chief Executive. Cllr Green said he had asked for it. There were options and issues in three key areas. The committee’s views were sought. Cllr Green said a selection committee of eight was too big. It had to come back and be ratified … Continue reading “Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 9 – Chief Executive”

The officer said that the report was around the appointment of a Chief Executive. Cllr Green said he had asked for it. There were options and issues in three key areas. The committee’s views were sought.

Cllr Green said a selection committee of eight was too big. It had to come back and be ratified or delegated to Chris which was “a bit unfair”. Cllr green suggested convening a subcommittee in the proportion 2:2:1. This would decide on a job description, person specification and the process. This would make a recommendation to the full Council.

Cllr Bridson said she agreed it should be the three Group Leaders. Cllr Green said he thought it should be. Cllr Davies said this was essential.

The officer referred to page 3 and the type of contract options, she also referred to the detail on salary, sharing and asked if they would like to leave the subcommittee to make the decision on contract and salary. Cllr Green said he did ask it to be reviewed. Whether Wirral Council shared a chief executive or had our own. He said we were “entering a time of real change, fast change and organisational issues.” Every authority was doing that. A chief executive in a shared role how would they react if an authority was in real trouble? They would be drawn to the one in trouble which means the other would suffer.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 8

The officer noted the lower absence rate but said they would keep an eye on it. People having flu in this quarter would affect it.

Cllr Green said it was a lot of people.

Cllr McLaughlin said he should use flu-like as it was seasonal and swine flu.
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Cllr Mitchell said his youngest daughter had recently recovered from swine flu, where she worked at the Bank of America there had been hundreds off work.

The officer Chris said they would support people to be healthy in work and ensure their well-being. There was progress in embracing the principles in 4.1 of the report. They were drawing conclusions on the attendance management policy which they would bring to the next E&A committee or to a special meeting.

Cllr Davies said something which Cllr Bridson said was considered in the report. He replied with fine and joked that he’d “stay behind for lines afterwards”. Cllr McLaughlin declared an interest in item 10 as she had been on a panel dealing with allegations against employees.

The committee agreed the recommendations and moved onto item 7 – Appointment of a Chief Executive.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 7

Cllr Davies asked what the speed of the decision would be. He was answered that it would be made within the next couple of weeks.

Cllr Green said it was a “very, very big exercise”. It was a “huge exercise” that was “emotionally and physically demanding”. It was the “biggest exercise ever done” and had been done “humanely”. He said he’d like to place on record his thanks to Chris and her team.

Cllr Bridson said she was happy to support this.

Cllr Davies said he would like to register his concern at the speed with which it was done. He feared for the viability of services left and he needed to register that.

Cllr Green said the work people had put in was “Herculean”. Cllr Bridson said that a yes and gave thanks to the committee.

The committee agreed the recommendations and moved onto item 6 – Managing Attendance.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 6

The committee agreed the recommendations and moved onto item 5 – Update on Managing Workforce Change and Redeployment.

An officer introduced the report saying it was an update in relation to ongoing workforce change. Work continues to deliver the resolution. Since the last report of the 63 people on the register, 11 had taken EVR and a further nine were due to leave within the next 6 months. They were tied up in reviews and the exit strategy. There were other opportunities.

Cllr Davies referred to paragraph 4.6 and asked how many on top of the 1,100? 200 had an opportunity for voluntary severance, what was happening to the others?

The answer given was that they were seeking re-employment options and would go onto the redeployment register.

Cllr Davies asked for a list of post for the 220.

Cllr Green said the issue was in the resolution and he had had notes from members of staff. Some people decided to carry on working, however now they see large number of their colleagues have gone. In those circumstances, there was a concern about the reduced terms. Speaking to people who were affected he felt they should be offered the same terms as their colleagues. It was important that they didn’t feel they were affected adversely by going with the others. It was important to deal with people as fairly as possible with these enhanced arrangements.

Cllr Davies said it would be helpful to know the timescale for this.

The answer given was that they had an opportunity to apply which would close on Monday.

Employment & Appointments Committee – 27th January Part 5

Cllr McLaughlin continued that it would be interesting to see if it had no impact. When it was extended there would be cost implications if the service cough an’t be provided. She disagreed with the report as she said it was “not quite right” as there would be a continuing cost to the authority,

Cllr Holbrook said he assumed the cost was budgeted for.

Cllr McLaughlin said she disagreed.

The answer given by an officer was that it was an ongoing cost to departments. Cllr Green said he had asked a question at the last meeting about the implications of stopping or extending and carrying on. One option was once the tender process had gone through they accept the contract. The sad thing was about partnering with a different organisation. Unfortunately they were not able to yet. Regarding Merseyside authorities the contract can be extended to included different authorities and was relatively straightforward. There was an overall value to the contract. A large proportion of those signposted were from schools. Any work done would have to take into account whether schools were making use of the contract and the implications of academies. Academies could buy in being charged the full cost of recovery or there would just be fewer numbers which would drive the value down.

The director of Education said that 2/3rds of schools had replied. Schools were not looking elsewhere and it would be discouraged. Academies had responsibilities to their employees so the decision rested with them.