Issue - meetings

To seek agreement from Members for revisions to the People, Performance and Development Committee’s Terms of Reference.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Andrew Baird, Democratic Services Officer

Jackie Foglietta, Interim Head of HR & OD

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.     Clarity was sought by Members regarding where responsibility would sit for delegations that would be removed from PPDC as part of the proposed revisions to the Committee’s Terms of Reference. Officers highlighted that few responsibilities would be removed from PPDC’s remit as part of the revised Terms of Reference as the Committee would retain oversight of these areas through its consideration of half yearly performance indicators. Those responsibilities that it was proposed to remove from PPDC, such as undertaking joint consultation with Trade Unions, already had established officer processes in place.

2.     Officers were asked to define strategic workforce planning within the context of the revised Terms of Reference and to provide details of the role that the Committee would play in considering this. Members heard that strategic workforce planning related to Surrey County Council’s (the Council) organisational structure and how it would be flexed in response to current and ongoing challenges. The Committee would be asked to review proposals for adapting the workforce in response to this changing organisational structure. The Committee requested an amendment to point f within Annex 1 of the report, stating that the word ‘consider’ be changed to ‘review’.

3.     Members stated that the Committee should have a role in reviewing the finances associated with the costs of recruiting and making redundancies for staff at a senior level within the organisation. Officers were informed that there is concern among residents about the remuneration of senior officers and that it was important for the Committee to have oversight of the Council’s expenditure in this area. Discussions took place regarding whether oversight of the costs associated with the recruitment and redundancy of senior officers should be within PPDC’s remit. The Committee was advised that the Council was legally required to publish information relating to the remuneration of senior officers and that Members had the opportunity to ask questions about this issue at Full Council. Members were further informed that it was important to ensure that the work of PPDC did not overlap with that of Select Committees.

4.     A Member of the Committee proposed that the Terms of Reference should include a delegation for PPDC to receive regular reports and monitor the costs of senior staff redundancy and recruitment including interim senior staff appointment costs. Officers confirmed that they would review PPDC Terms of Reference in line with the Committee’s request and report back at the next meeting on 7 November 2018.

5.     The Committee further requested that points c and d within the Terms of Reference attached as Annex 1 to these minutes be amalgamated for the purposes of clarity.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

1.     a revised version of the Terms of Reference incorporating the changes outlined within the minutes to be brought to the Committee’s meeting on 7 November 2018 (Action Ref A13/18).

RESOLVED:

None