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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 … Continue reading “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 3

Cllr Green said he accepted the framework and policies. Westminster House was an example of an individual project. In the project plan was how these tools, IT and performance management would be implemented. It was a key element of the change management process. It was open to any scrutiny committee to look at. He had been hearing about the views the of the Director of Adult Social Services on co-location with GPs. It was all being formulated.

Cllr Bridson said she assumed the chief officers were collecting and assessing. She thought we needed to keep a really careful eye on it. Wirral Council needed to offer services alongside saving measures.

Cllr Green said Wirral Council was better at project management. There was “a plan”. There was also a post-implementation review. Lessons would be learnt. He thought the committee will need a further report and needed to know how things were moving.

Cllr Holbrook said he had indicated to talk but Cllr Bridson hadn’t been looking. Cllr Bridson said she can’t normally ignore him. Cllr Holbrook said they needed to discuss what was in it for the Council. He told them not to forget that efficiency savings were an employee benefit which enabled people to work more efficiently. It would also accommodate people’s personal circumstances and be a flexible employee benefit.

Planning Committee – 25th January 2011 – Part 3 – Item 5 – APP/10/00999 – Melrose 90 Oldfield Road, Heswall – Proposed extension and remodelling of the existing house and associated landscaping works

Cllr Johnson, having previously declared a prejudicial interest in this item, left the room during its consideration.

The committee then moved onto item 5 which was another greenbelt application involving remodelling. The application would lead to an increased height to a two storey flat roof. There had been a late objection from the Heswall Society regarding floodlights. The Chair pointed out this had been made on the site visit. Cllr Elderton asked to the elevation and if it was out of character? He said it was more in keeping although expressed concern regarding overlooking from the balcony. The floodlight was going to be at a low-level for ambience. Although commercial properties required permission for floodlights, residential properties did not.

The answer given by an officer was that the floodlights were not considered to be development, therefore permission wasn’t required. Cllr Mitchell was also concerned about the balcony and stated that the new building was narrower. He said the architect had given a good spiel at the site visit and had used the site visit to promote his business.

It was put to the vote. Cllr Mitchell proposed the application be approved, Cllr Salter seconded the item. 9 councillors voted for, Cllr Hayes and Cllr Keeley voted against. The application was approved.

Planning Committee – 25/1/2011

Planning Committee started with a different makeup of councillors to usual. A number of deputies were standing in for those who are usually on the Committee.

Councillors present were:-
Lib Dem

Chair (Cllr Dave Mitchell)
Cllr Alan Brighouse (Deputy for Cllr Kelly)
Cllr Ann Bridson (Deputy for Cllr Gilchrist)
Cllr Bob Wilkins (Deputy for Cllr Johnston)

Conservative
Cllr David Elderton
Cllr James Keeley
Cllr Paul Hayes
Cllr Eddie Boult
Cllr Peter Johnson

Labour
Cllr John Salter
Cllr Denise Realey
Cllr Brian Kenny

The Chair welcomed those present to the meeting and especially Cllr Boult who he was pleased was now in good health. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed. Cllr Peter Johnston declared a prejudicial interest in item 5 as his wife is the owner of land that butts onto that under consideration. He pointed out that it was against his will that he was declaring a prejudicial interest, but that he had been advised to do so. Cllr Mitchell declared an interest as a member of Merseytravel.

Cllr Kenny requested a site visit for item 6 which was APP/10/01104 – 57 Argyle Street South, Tranmere – Change of use to two self contained ground floor apartments with single storey extension and rear staircase. Cllr Mitchell requested a site visit for item 10 – 7 Halton Crescent , Greasby – Demolition of existing single storey extension and erection of a two storey, part single storey, rear extension (Amended plan). Both site visits were agreed.