Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence are noted above.

Members of the Employment Panel are asked whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the agenda and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022 are attached for approval and accuracy.

It was agreed that the notes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report attached.

Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council presented a report setting out the proposed arrangements for the recruitment of a new Chief Executive following the recent announcement of the intention of the current Chief Executive to retire in March 2023.

It was explained that the Chief Executive’s Job Description has been revised to take account of the significant progress with health and care integration over the past four years and the development of Bury’s 2030 Community Strategy. The proposed job description was appended to the report. It was explained that the intention was to advertise the post within the existing salary band from £182,770 to £189,883. This remuneration level has been reviewed against Chief Executive salaries across Greater Manchester and remains appropriate to secure strong candidate field.

Councillor O’Brien explained that the process had already started to identify a recruitment partner through the Government Resourcing Partnership framework with the intention being that they would be appointed by 28 September 22.

It was anticipated that the post would open for applicants on 14 October  and close on 4 November 2022.

The longlist would be agreed by 9 November, and this would then be followed by one-to-one discussions with the Leader and technical assessments during the week commencing 14 November 2022.

The shortlist would be agreed by the appointment panel on 23 November  and assessment centre and final interviews taking place on 5 December and 6 December respectively.

It was anticipated that should a candidate be appointed who is required to serve a three month notice period, the timeline set out should enable them to join without the need for interim arrangements.

It was explained that once the recruitment partner had been appointed the final assessment centre process would be developed in collaboration with them and would likely include a range of elements such as:

·         Engagement with the current Council Executive Team

·         Stakeholder discussions with key public, private and voluntary sector partners

·         Engagement with a staff stakeholder panel and with the Trade Unions

·         An opportunity to visit different areas of the borough, including our major regeneration areas

·         An opportunity to engage with all elected Members.

Feedback from the interactions will be provided to the appointment panel to inform their final recommendation.

It was reported that the Employment Panel Terms of Reference set out that:

‘A politically balanced 6 member panel will be convened to fulfil the employment functions [of the panel], the 5th/and if necessary 6th member will be the Cabinet Member(s) with responsibility for the portfolio area under consideration or their appointed deputy’.

It was explained that in order to provide a diverse panel and ensure appropriate representation the suggestion is that Employment Panel agree to expand this to a 7 Member panel for this appointment. The proposal is that the panel would consist of:

1. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR / Chair of the Employment Panel (Appointment Panel Chair)

2. The Leader of the Council

3. The Deputy Leader of the Council (Employment Panel Member)

4. One further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Report attached.

Sam McVaigh, Director of People and Inclusion presented a report from the Cabinet Member for HR and Corporate Affairs updating the Panel on the Council’s Maternity Policy for New and Expectant Mother.

It was explained that the policy had been refreshed to reflect new guidance from the Health and Safety Executive in relation to risk assessments.

The policy had also been updated to present clear definition in relation to both the calculation of occupational maternity pay and the Council’s policy position in relation to miscarriage. It was reported that whilst the policy application in both areas was operating effectively the policy had been updated to avoid confusion.

The key changes were set out within the report.

Councillor Tariq asked what reasonable adjustments were and how this would be looked at.

Sam explained that reasonable adjustments would be applied as they are in relation to disabilities and included posture and position, shift patterns, work related stress, temperature/noise, risk of physical injury and exposure to harmful substances.

It was also explained that the Council were in the process of reviewing their approach to reasonable adjustments.

It was agreed:

1.    That the Employment Panel agree the changes to the policy.

2.    That the policy be forwarded to the Corporate Joint Consultative Committee for ratification and published on the Council intranet pages.

There was no urgent business.